2020 Online Salon
Microbes in Space

Project Details
- Entrant Name: Taeah Kim
- Membership Type: Student Submission
- Address: Toronto, Ontario Canada
- Client: Faculty advisor: Marc Dryer
- Copyright: 2019 Taeah Kim
- Medium/software used: Autodesk Maya, Adobe Illustrator
- Final presentation format: Print, Journal cover
- Primary Audience: Educated Lay Audience
Project Description
Researchers at the International Space Station have found that human microbiome compositions go through significant changes during long-term space missions. Intestinal microbiota across astronauts tended to become similar during their time in space, increasing the risk of opportunistic infections. Research suggests that these changes in the GI microbiome composition may contribute to an increase in inflammatory immune responses during space travel. The primary goal of this illustration was to use 3D modeling in Maya to provide an eye-catching journal cover. The cover needed to communicate the most important implications of said research to a large audience of varied scientific knowledge while drawing in the general public with its striking visuals.