Southland Teen Wins $50,000 for Innovative Space Bandage

A remarkable achievement came from Southland, New Zealand, where 17-year-old Sophie Ineson was awarded the Prime Minister’s Space Prize for Student Endeavour on March 4, 2024. This prestigious award, valued at $50,000, recognizes her innovative project aimed at enhancing wound care for astronauts in space.

Sophie, a student at Southland Girls’ High School, developed a product named HydroHeal to address the challenge of wound healing in microgravity environments. Small injuries, which might seem trivial on Earth, can have significant repercussions in space. As Sophie explained, “On Earth you can put a band aid on and it heals in a few days, but it’s a completely different story in space.” The unique conditions of space, such as reduced oxygen delivery and slower cell growth, complicate the healing process, making it crucial to find effective solutions.

The project originated from her entry into the NZAS Southland Science and Technology Fair. With a keen eye on NASA’s Artemis missions to the Moon and future missions to Mars, Sophie focused on developing a bandage that would meet the rigorous demands of space travel. Her design aimed to allow astronauts to apply the dressing while wearing gloves and to ensure that it remained intact even after several days of use.

Sophie’s research led her to create a two-layered, jelly-like dressing. After testing four prototypes, she selected one that incorporated chitosan, a natural polymer known for its antibacterial properties, alongside hemp seed oil and lecithin to enhance moisture retention and reduce inflammation. The judging panel described her work as “a well-thought-out and independently carried-out project,” emphasizing its strong potential for both space missions and healthcare on Earth.

The announcement of her award took place at Parliament, where she was recognized not just for her innovative solution but also for her commitment to inspiring other young women in science and engineering. Sophie has established a club at her school named innovatHer, dedicated to mentoring students interested in science fairs and careers in space.

Her passion for promoting opportunities in space is not new. In Year 7, she won the Fair Go Consumer Heroes competition for a project advocating for greater female representation in space careers. She believes that future generations will need various skills, including knowledge of “space law,” as the industry evolves.

Sophie’s academic interests extend to neuroscience and psychology, as she intends to explore how the conditions of space affect mental health compared to life on Earth. She stated, “I’m looking at how being in space can affect people’s mental health, and how that may be different to someone who is on Earth for the same period.”

Her journey reflects a broader message of empowerment, encouraging her peers to seize opportunities in science and technology. She emphasizes, “The opportunities are vast – and right there to reach out and grab. It’s to have the confidence to reach out and take that opportunity.”

Sophie Ineson’s innovative approach to astronaut healthcare highlights the intersection of science and practical applications in extreme environments. Her work not only addresses immediate needs for space missions but also promises to contribute to advancements in medical care on Earth.