Jess Atkin’s preferred planet is Earth. It always has been. This is hardly surprising — she dedicates her time to nurturing flora, engaging in oceanic clean-ups, and tending to her horses on a modest piece of land just outside of Bryan.
And what is Atkin’s second favorite aspect of the cosmos? The moon. It serves as a serene, steadfast companion in the evening sky, one that has long fascinated her mind.
“I’ve always felt a profound connection to the moon,” Atkin expressed. “It’s such a calming, consistent presence. But when I ponder it, I realize how profoundly our comprehension of the universe has been influenced by this celestial entity. And now, here we find ourselves contemplating how to sustain life there.”
Instead of merely gazing up at the moon, Atkin, a graduate student at the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, is embarking on an endeavor many might deem unfeasible. She is investigating the cultivation of chickpeas in lunar regolith, colloquially referred to as moondust.
“It seems insane, doesn’t it?” Atkin remarked. “I’m examining how a crop that flourishes on Earth might endure in the lunar dust. However, it’s not as outrageous as it sounds. If we aspire to travel to the moon — and further — we must discover ways to produce food there. If we can cultivate chickpeas in that atmosphere, it might usher in a radically new perspective on sustainability in outer space.”
If she succeeds, her efforts will not merely represent another space trial — it could symbolize a small advancement for humanity but a monumental leap for plant-kind.
Military Background To Lunar Research
“I was raised between two distinctly different worlds,” she recounted. “One where I was immersed in the fields, discovering how life burgeoned from the soil, and another where the vibrant rhythm of city life surrounded me. That divergence shaped my worldview.”
However, the most significant influence on her passion for botany did not arise from the ranch; it stemmed from her grandmother’s greenhouse. As a young girl, Atkin would spend countless hours beside her grandmother, observing as she nurtured young seedlings into flourishing plants.
“My grandmother had the ability to grow anything,” Atkin remarked. “Her greenhouse was this serene sanctuary where I absorbed knowledge about plants, soil, and the interconnectedness of it all. I wasn’t aware at the time, but those moments sowed a seed within me — one that eventually guided me to my current path.”
This early exposure shaped her perception of plant-microbe relationships, even before she comprehended the underlying science. Unbeknownst to her, her grandmother’s talent for growing anything had been inherited in a manner she could never have envisioned. Yet, as Atkin aged, her journey took her down an alternate path, steering her away from plants.
Higher education wasn’t an immediate choice, thus she enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, motivated by a family member’s service prior to her. During the 2006 surge, she was deployed to Baghdad as part of a police transition unit, educating and guiding Iraqi law enforcement in perilous areas, taking on combat roles beyond the conventional Air Force mission.
“I was nurtured with a robust sense of duty and accountability,” Atkin stated. “There was little room for leniency. Hard work was essential, you persevered through challenging times, and you consistently gave your utmost.”
Upon her return from deployment, Atkin trained cavalry horses at Fort Hood for military and therapeutic initiatives. This journey eventually led her to equine therapy for disabled veterans, a cause she is still deeply passionate about. While her work with horses kept her stable, a different calling awaited her: science.
“I excelled in military roles, yet I never experienced true satisfaction,” she admitted. “I recognized that my genuine interest resided within the realm of science. Biology, the environment, and the endeavor of addressing real-world challenges captivated me. I simply had not yet discerned how to transform it into a career.”
Discovering Sustainable Options Beyond Earth
After departing from military service, Atkin embarked on community college before transferring to Texas A&M University. Initially, she pursued studies in biomedical sciences, contemplating a career in large animal medicine. Nevertheless, a persistent pull towards plants kept beckoning her back. She could not shake the memories of her time spent in the greenhouse with her grandmother.
“Being engaged in horticulture reignited those memories,” she noted. “It was serene, methodical, and I recognized that I could make a significant impact.”
She switched her major to focus on the Department of Horticultural Sciences, where she earned her undergraduate degree, later moving to the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences for her doctorate. Her enthusiasm for extraterrestrial agriculture intensified as she discerned parallels between the contributions of plants to Earth’s primordial ecosystems and their potential roles in prospective space environments.
“I have always held an interest in space. Throughout my childhood, I would watch documentaries and peruse literature on the Apollo missions,” she shared. “Yet, I never imagined I would be investigating methods to cultivate food on the moon. It appeared to be something immensely distant.”
However, as Atkin advanced in her studies, she came to recognize the undeniable association between space exploration and the challenges faced by humanity on our planet. The notion of sustainable food production formed a central theme in both contexts.
Producing crops in space could not only provide solutions for nourishing astronauts during extended missions but also offer insights into improving food production efficiency here on Earth, particularly in regions experiencing soil degradation and extreme climates.
“That’s when everything came together for me,” she stated. “Cultivating food in space wasn’t just an abstract challenge. It had tangible implications for food security on Earth. And that was when I began to earnestly contemplate researching extraterrestrial agriculture.”
Atkin then elevated her research endeavor, immersing herself in…into the notion of cultivating vegetation in lunar soil. Her expertise in botany and interest in extraterrestrial exploration meshed seamlessly with the increasing research on the future of extraterrestrial food systems.
The Underdog In Plant Studies
Unlike numerous graduate scholars, Atkin began her journey without external financial support or a recognized research endeavor. Instead, she financed her own initiatives, spending her own money on a growth tent, specialized lighting and chickpea seeds.
“I was confident that I possessed the expertise to make something succeed, but I was uncertain if it would truly evolve into legitimate science,” Atkin reflected. “Therefore, I initiated modestly, purchasing what I could manage, establishing experiments in my home, and remaining optimistic.”
True to her military background and her no-excuse upbringing, Atkin refused to let the absence of formal resources hinder her progress. “I’ve always enjoyed experimenting and discovering outcomes. If I can’t afford an opulent laboratory, I’ll make the best of what I have,” she stated. “That approach has propelled me quite far.”
With resolve and an expanding curiosity, she organized her own investigation. Gradually, she concentrated on the concept of cultivating chickpeas in lunar soil, emphasizing their relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria and other advantageous microorganisms — characteristics that rendered them excellent candidates for lunar soil restoration.
“Chickpeas are overlooked in the plant realm,” she noted. “They are resilient, robust, and can endure a diverse array of conditions. If we can cultivate them on the moon, they could offer food and aid in sustainability during extended space missions.”
Gaining Attention From NASA
A bit of an underdog in her own right, beginning her journey with minimal funding for her research, Atkin’s work has since garnered the interest of NASA, which bestowed upon her a $150,000 Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology (FINESST) grant. Being one of only a few selected from 1,120 proposals, the FINESST grant ensures her funding for the upcoming three years, empowering her to enhance her research and contribute directly to NASA’s objectives regarding space food systems.
In addition to her grant acquisition, she was chosen to undertake an internship at the Space Plant Biology laboratory at Kennedy Space Center in the autumn of 2024. During her time in Florida, Atkin collaborated with NASA scientists Dr. Aubrie O’Rourke and Dr. Gioia Massa, developing plant systems intended to land on the moon during the Artemis III mission in mid-2027. Her findings could play a pivotal role in facilitating long-term lunar habitation.
Atkin is evaluating chickpeas in settings that replicate the moon’s hostile conditions. Moondust not only lacks moisture and essential nutrients but also contains detrimental elements that impede plant growth.
“The goal is to recreate the lunar conditions we anticipate in a controlled environment here on Earth,” Atkin explained. “I’ve experimented with various lunar regolith simulants and even tried 16 different chickpea varieties. It’s about discovering the optimal combination of conditions to enable these plants to endure and flourish.”
Atkin benefits from the guidance of faculty in both her undergraduate and graduate programs, especially Terry Gentry, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, and Betsy Pierson, Ph.D., professor emeritus in the Department of Horticultural Sciences.
“Having mentors in both soil and horticulture has been vital to my research,” Atkin remarked. “Dr. Pierson specializes in plant-microbe interactions, while Dr. Gentry provides expertise in soil and water microbiology and remediation. This blend of mentorship has accelerated my research’s progress.”
In Atkin’s laboratory, scientific inquiry is meticulous yet deeply personal. Among her research apparatus is an AI-generated depiction of chickpeas thriving on the moon, embodying her vision of future possibilities. It hangs near her lunar soil experiments, serving not merely as decoration but as a source of inspiration for her plants.
“I like to believe they require a bit of encouragement,” she said. She also plays classical music for them, convinced that a serene atmosphere promotes vigorous growth. Occasionally, she even converses with them, offering motivational phrases akin to a coach urging an underdog team to triumph. “I tell them, ‘You’re going to grow up to be robust and strong, and someday, you’ll be on the moon.’”
Rooted In Inquiry
Atkin is not solely concentrated on her research; she is equally dedicated to transmitting her enthusiasm to others. She guides aspiring scientists nationwide, collaborating with high school and college students to ignite their interest in plant studies and extraterrestrial research.
“I enjoy working with younger learners because they retain that inherent curiosity,” she expressed. “When you are young, you are unaware that certain things are deemed unachievable, so you simply attempt them. That is the mindset we need — individuals willing to ask inquiries, embrace setbacks, rise, and try once more.”
Beyond the laboratory, she remains connected to terrestrial matters. Whether caring for her horses, scuba diving to remove debris from oceans, or collaborating with veterans through equine therapy, her commitment to sustainability extends beyond space — of making improvements to the world, no matter where she is.
“Earth is my favorite planet,” she stated. “I adore space, but everything I am learning out there relates to what we need to rectify here as well.”
Her research transcends simply cultivating chickpeas in moondust. It symbolizes merging the past, present, and future — recognizing the Earth while preparing for the potential of existence on other celestial bodies. It’s about uncovering solutions to challenges we have yet to face and persistently posing questions.
“Remain inquisitive,” she urged. “Don’t let what appears unattainable deter you. Inquire ceaselessly, explore every avenue, and surround yourself with individuals who believe in you. The future brims with opportunities… an entire universe of them.”
And perhaps before long, the same dust that graced Neil Armstrong’s boots in 1969 could nurture the first chickpea roots of a lunar farm, symbolizing that even the underdog should always strive for the stars, and the moon.
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