The researcher, who won the Lunar Recycle challenge last summer, is now focusing on a project to feed 14 astronauts. Despite the NASA prize money reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars, Puerta is ineligible for the cash reward as she is not a US citizen, yet she continues her research independently.
“"AI is not a threat, but a partner that allows someone like me to win an international NASA contest alone."
Her current research involves using Artificial Intelligence to study how probiotics and minerals behave in space environments. Puerta advocates for the idea that space serves as a perfect laboratory for circular economy solutions that can later be implemented on Earth.
This week, she presented her work at the Talent Arena during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, emphasizing that significant scientific contributions can be made from home with just a computer and determination.
