Growing the future
The University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences is an engine of scientific discovery, with researchers working across the spectrum of agricultural and life sciences. Academically, the college offers research-based, hands-on teaching of undergraduates; world-class graduate programs rich in research and project assistantships; and short courses, workshops and other programs. Our outreach activities bring the work of the college to Wisconsin businesses, organizations and communities throughout the state. Learn more about CALS.
“We don’t want to send supplies from Earth every time our astronauts need to eat. We want them to have self-sustaining systems that provide them with food [and] water.”
CALS Faces
Kai Rasmussen
Kai Rasmussen, a biology major graduating this summer, studied how plants react to being in outer space. His interest in astrobotany was ignited in a class with botany professor Simon Gilroy, and he went on to work in Gilroy’s lab. The lab’s research involves mimicking spaceflight using an in-house test structure, and they’ve even sent plants to the International Space Station. Beyond the research, Rasmussen also works to engage the public in an effort to bring the science of space plants back down to Earth. He has composed an original song about the field, created an astrobotany website and even designed a t-shirt. https://go.wisc.edu/a8fe66
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