PRINCESS ANNE — The School of Agriculture and Natural Sciences (SANS) at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore continues its free SANS Seminar Series with a look at “Space Food and Space Suits for Spaceflight” noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 at the Carver Hall Auditorium on campus. (Note the time change from 11 a.m.)

Aaron Persad, PhD, assistant professor of aerospace with the UMES Department of Engineering and Aviation Science, will speak about a new space food he created called Astreas — the first commercial company focused on optimizing food and nutrition for spaceflight.

Dr. Persad also holds certification as space suit technician, and is director of bioastronautics with the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences.

His primary research is size-separation of molecules using novel filters made of graphene with Angstrom-sized features. In November, one of his experiments involving fluids was on board the Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity during the Galactic 05 launch from New Mexico to the edge of space.

“As we plan for our return to the moon, learn about new high-performance space foods and space suit technology,” says a spokesperson for SANS. For more information contact Dr. Ahmed Elnabawi at aelnabawi@umes.edu. For other upcoming free programs visit https://wwwcp.umes.edu/sans/sans-seminar-series.

Visitors to the campus are to stop by the Department of Public Safety for a free parking pass, with the lot located behind Carver Hall.