COSMIC HUMANITY:

INTERDISCIPLINARY
VISIONS FOR 

SPACE EXPLORATION

Detailed Program

Keynotes

Jeffrey Nesbit 
“Ground Control: Technical Lands for Departing Earth”

This talk explores the infrastructural history of the United States rocket launch complex through the evolution of its overlooked architecture and infrastructural landscape in parallel to US aerospace history. The built environment of the U.S. space complex shows how its expanded infrastructural landscape tended to align with national Cold War politics and themes found in the age of modernity. Examples across often inaccessible sites of remote landscape help explain the contingent histories and deep association of an American aesthetic, land-use, and ultimately a form of nation-building practices. Ground Control offers a new way of understanding how technological uses of place-based science were designed and constructed in support of both industrial and military activities in postwar America.

Jeffrey Nesbit is an architect, urbanist, founding director of Grounding Design, and Assistant Professor at Temple University. Nesbit’s research focuses on processes of urbanization, infrastructure, and the evolution of "technical lands." Nesbit has published several books, journal articles, and book chapters on “infrastructural urbanization” and is host and producer of three interdisciplinary podcasts series.

Erika Nesvold 
“Ethics, Human Rights, and Our Future in Space”

The idea of human space settlement is experiencing a comeback thanks to the commercial spaceflight industry’s recent rapid growth. Most of the conversation has focused on the technical and financial challenges of living in space. But to build thriving, healthy communities in space, we’ll also need to tackle the social, ethical, and human rights challenges we’ll encounter beyond Earth: How should we protect the space environment or handle interpersonal conflicts? How will we address criminal justice, avoid labor exploitation, and protect reproductive rights? And can manage we do all this while keeping everyone alive in an environment we didn’t evolve to survive in? This keynote will provide an overview of the kinds of big questions we’ll have to answer as we expand our civilization into space, and demonstrate how we can look to our past and present here on Earth for cautionary tales and success stories to help us avoid repeating the mistakes of history and build a better future for everyone, in space and on Earth. 

Erika Nesvold has a Ph.D. in physics and now works as an astrophysics engineer on Universe Sandbox, a physics-based astronomy video game. Erika is the co-founder of the JustSpace Alliance (a space ethics nonprofit) and the author of Off-Earth: Ethical Questions and Quandaries for Living in Outer Space.

Morning Panel

Shimon Wdowinski
“The Expected Physical Conditions and Hazards on Habitable Planets”

As humanity progresses toward space exploration and potential settlement beyond Earth, understanding the physical conditions and hazards on habitable planets is essential for sustainable habitation. This presentation examines key environmental parameters critical for space settlement planning, including gravitational acceleration, length of day, surface morphology, availability of extract resources, atmospheric composition, surface temperature extremes, wind patterns, solar radiation exposure, and geophysical hazards such as planet-quakes and sandstorms. By evaluating these factors, we can assess the viability of extraterrestrial environments for human habitation and develop strategies to mitigate associated risks. This study builds upon concepts from the courses Environments of a Changing Planet and Urban Physical Environments and Hazards, drawing parallels between terrestrial environments, urban planning challenges, and those expected in space environments. The findings aim to contribute to the ongoing discourse on planetary settlement, providing a framework for designing resilient and adaptive infrastructure in extraterrestrial settings.

Shimon Wdowinski is a professor of geophysics at the Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International University (FIU). His research has focused on the development and usage of space geodetic techniques, that can detect very precisely small movements of the Earth’s surface. Shimon’s research interests include natural hazards, tectonics, wetland hydrology, climate change, and sea level rise.

Vyta Pivo
“Concrete Space Oddities: Politics of Construction in Outer Space”

In 2020, the European Space Agency conducted an experiment to see if concrete was a viable building material in zero gravity. Scientists mixed 120 variations of cement powder, a pouch full of water, and isopropyl alcohol at the International Space Station; after letting the matter dry, they sent the samples back to Earth for study. Researchers concluded that the resulting space concrete was unusually porous and uniform, but it could effectively perform its functions in outer space. Despite the ensuing enthusiasm for concrete habitats and colonies in zero gravity, efforts to build with concrete in outer space date back to the 1980s, when the US cement industry itself explored possible collaboration with NASA. This paper will examine the longer history of concrete construction in space, as well as broader efforts to privatize space exploration and define the materiality of space habitats. 

Vyta Pivo is a historian of the intersecting histories of material lifecycles, construction labor, ordinary landscapes, and climate change. Her forthcoming book, Cast in Concrete: How the US Built Its Empire (University of Chicago Press), traces the history of the US cement and concrete industries and their global and transplanetary expansion. The project examines how concrete structured not only architecture and infrastructure, but also labor, culture, and political systems that deepened global addiction to this material of modernity.

Daniela Radu
“Harvesting Energy in Space” 

The presentation introduces solar photovoltaic technologies and describes their potential in space applications, highlighting advancements in this arena. Solar photovoltaics remain an important source of space energy, with advanced materials such as perovskites and chalcogenide-based thin films offering efficiency in solar light harvesting, radiation resistance, and lightweight deployment. Perovskite solar cells, despite their high efficiency, require further research to enhance stability under space conditions. Chalcogenide solar cells provide promising alternatives due to their resilience in extreme environments. Hybrid systems that integrate solar and nuclear technologies offer the most viable approach for sustaining long-term human presence beyond Earth. While solar energy is optimal for near-Earth applications, nuclear power ensures reliable energy in deep-space environments where sunlight is scarce. The presentation will provide an overview of the latest innovations, challenges, and future directions in harvesting energy in space, offering insights into how these technologies could support extraterrestrial exploration. 

Daniela Radu is a Professor and Interim Chair of the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at FIU. Her research portfolio focuses on advanced functional nanomaterials. Her work, funded by NASA, DoD, DOE, NSF, and USDA, explores applications across multiple domains, including energy systems, space technologies, quantum science, and nanotechnology. 

Tigran Abrahamyan + Elio Arteaga
“Astronomy & Art—Fantastical Worlds Are Real”

This presentation describes an interdisciplinary pedagogical approach developed during the 2023 Faculty Fellowship at FIU's Science & Fiction Lab. The fellowship brings together faculty from diverse disciplines to create course content inspired by science fiction and creative writing about science. Our project integrates graphic design, astronomy, sociology, and visual storytelling through a jigsaw learning module centered on Shaun Tan’s graphic novel, The Arrival (2006). Descriptive Astronomy is a non-mathematical study of the universe beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Except in a few rare cases, we can’t directly see planets outside of our own solar system. Instead, nearly every announcement of a new exoplanet discovery is accompanied by an artist’s rendering of the world, highlighting the role of visual interpretation in scientific communication. Graphic design is inherently interdisciplinary, drawing from fine and applied arts to communicate messages across industries. By incorporating a collaboratively designed sci-fi module into both graphic design and astronomy courses, we demonstrate how science fiction bridges STEM and the humanities, allowing for metaphorical explorations of human experiences. This “parallax approach” encourages students to analyze The Arrival from multiple disciplinary perspectives, enriching their understanding of visualization, storytelling, and real-world migration experiences. By fostering critical thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration, this initiative enhances student engagement and exemplifies the impact of integrating science fiction into humanities and STEM education.

Tigran Abrahamyan is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Physics at Florida International University, teaching introductory Astronomy and Physics courses for the last decade. He is also Astronomy Lab Manager and has developed both online and in-person versions of the labs taught at FIU. His online labs were certified by Quality Matters (QM), an international organization leading quality assurance in online and innovative digital teaching and learning environments. His graduate research was in the field of high energy theoretical nuclear physics, developing a framework to examine the dynamics of the nuclear structure at the very short distances during electrodisintegration of light nuclei. Such configurations were practically unexplored and may provide instantaneous hadronic densities comparable to those that may occur in neutron stars. Dr. Abrahamyan is very passionate about science public outreach mission of the university, having conducted multiple tours of FIU’s Stocker Astroscience Center for K-12 students and general public, and featured in the local and international media.

Elio L. Arteaga, MFA, is an accomplished graphic designer and educator with over 30 years of experience. Born in Cuba in 1965, he moved to the U.S. with his family at age three. With degrees from Miami Dade Community College, Florida International University, and Florida Atlantic University, he’s consulted and freelanced for notable South Florida organizations. Since 2015, he’s been a faculty member at Miami Dade College, promoted to Associate Professor in 2024. He lives in Hialeah with his wife, Francis, and two dogs, Ruby and Roky.

Afternoon Panel
+ Closing Remarks

Shahin Vassigh
“Robotic Construction in Space”

Establishing sustainable human habitats beyond Earth requires advanced construction capabilities tailored for extreme extraterrestrial environments. Recent advancements in autonomous robotic systems, modular construction methods, and additive manufacturing technologies have opened promising pathways for building infrastructure in space. This talk explores current engineering approaches, emphasizing innovative robotic techniques such as 3D printing with in-situ materials, modular lattice frameworks, and autonomous assembly strategies developed by NASA and leading architectural firms. By examining architectural proposals, we identify critical opportunities and ongoing challenges—ranging from material durability and robotic autonomy to environmental resilience and sustainability. The discussion concludes by envisioning future possibilities for human-centric design and construction in space, highlighting how interdisciplinary collaboration will enable a permanent human presence on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

Dr. Shahin Vassigh is a Professor of Architecture, a structural engineer, and Director of Technology Research Development in the College of Communication, Architecture and the Arts (CARTA) at Florida International University (FIU). She directs the Robotics and Digital Fabrication (RDF) Lab, leading interdisciplinary research that bridges architecture, structural engineering, and cutting-edge robotic construction technologies. Dr. Vassigh’s innovative work emphasizes sustainable, resilient, and technology-driven approaches to architectural and structural design.

Luis Cendan
“Seeds for New Worlds: From Climate Change on Earth to Agriculture on Mars”

The modern age presents various challenges for agricultural production. The global climate crisis has yielded rapidly changing environmental conditions across the world, introducing new challenges for food production and exacerbating previous difficulties as well. Meanwhile, with ambitions toward space exploration advancing further, a series of astrobiological obstacles present themselves to us as we investigate strategies for adapting to conditions foreign to any earthly species. In both instances, securing a future where humanity thrives and ventures toward new horizons challenges us to rethink how we produce our food. Whether we are adapting to climate change on Earth or investigating how crops could be grown in Martian substrate, the challenges of surviving in new worlds remain with us. Sustainable, non-wasteful, and cost-efficient methods are demanded under new conditions as we labor to secure a better tomorrow for humanity, whether on Earth or in new frontiers. 

Luis Cendan is a PhD student in the Department of Earth and Environment at Florida International University (FIU), Miami, FL. As a member of the Conservation and Sustainable Horticulture Lab, his research focuses on the application of regenerative agriculture strategies in the mitigation of salt stress in crop systems.

James Webb
“Finding Extraterrestrial Life in the Universe”

Dr. Webb is a world-renowned astrophysicist specializing in the variability of Blazars across the Electro-magnetic spectrum. His optical observations use large telescopes located around the world and NASA satellite telescopes in the Gamma-ray, UV and IR region of the spectrum. In addition to scientific pursuits, Dr. Webb popularizes science. He has hosted a public lecture series at FIU for 26 years, and given hundreds of public lectures on topics ranging from SETI to gravitational waves across the country. He also writes and records astronomy songs, which he performs at special planetarium concerts around the country.

Neil Leach
“Is AI the New Space Race?” 

Is AI the new Space Race? This presentation highlights the parallels between the Space Race that took place in the second half of the 20th century, and the race for global AI dominance that is happening now. It argues that although both were launched within a year of each other during the Cold War, they had their origins in technologies developed during World War II. 

Neil Leach is a Professor of Architecture at FIU and has also taught at Harvard, AA, Columbia, Cornell, IaaC and SCI-Arc. He is a co-founder of DigitalFUTURES, and former researcher for NASA developing a 3D printer for the Moon and Mars. He has published over 50 books, including, Architecture in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: An Introduction to AI for Architects (2nd edition, Bloomsbury, 2025) Instagram: @neilleach14 



Ozan Atalan
“Xenopoetics: Posthumanist Aesthetics and the Poetics of Foreignness”

In an era of intense planetary transformation, both human and non-human beings experience displacement—ecologically, socially, and existentially. Xenopoetics emerges as a conceptual and artistic framework that challenges inherited identities, nonhuman orientation, embracing fluidity, estrangement, and relationality beyond human-centered narratives. Rooted in posthumanist aesthetics, transcorporeality, and autopoiesis, this presentation explores the intersection of art, science, and philosophy to examine how alternative modes of storytelling, spatial perception, and material entanglements shape our evolving understanding of time, space, and identity. Through interdisciplinary artistic practice, Xenopoetics explains how the unfamiliar (the “xeno”) serves as a catalyst for reimagining subjectivity, ecological agency, and creative expression. It also functions as a speculative metaphor for paradigm shifts, envisioning ethical futures in humanity’s journey toward beyond-perception cosmic realities and the ever-expanding encounters that reshape our understanding of existence.

Ozan Atalan, born in Gallipoli, Turkey (1985), is a visual artist and Assistant Teaching Professor of Graphic Design at FIU CARTA AAH Department. Holding degrees in law (LLB), sculpture (BFA-MFA) and art and design (PhD), his interdisciplinary work integrates video installations, eco-queer performativity, and posthumanist aesthetics, exploring human-nonhuman entanglements. His work has been exhibited internationally, including the 16th Istanbul Biennial, Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, Montpellier Contemporain, Pera Museum, and Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst.

Rhona Trauvitch
“The Fictionality Warp Drive: FTL Propulsion to Novel Imaginings”

How do we communicate science phenomena such as time dilation and quantum superposition, processes that range from perplexing to entirely counterintuitive? We do so with a tool that is not an instrument like a microscope, nor a machine like a particle collider, but a rhetorical device: fictionality. Fictionality opens the door to confounding natural phenomena through a process of fiction-science pattern mapping. To fi-sci, distil a science phenomenon into a pattern (a form, or shape), and locate the avatar of this pattern in fiction. When a form in fiction is analogous to a form in science, we can reason about the latter in terms of the former. At FIU's Science & Fiction Lab, faculty build modules around structural analogies between phenomena in fiction and phenomena in science, and implement these modules in their courses. The Lab's theoretical and pedagogical explorations of fi-sci pattern mapping suggest something remarkable: our capacities to perceive strange and confounding scientific phenomena may turn on our experiences with fiction. 

Dr. Trauvitch specializes in literary STEM, focusing on intersections of literature and science–those that manifest in science fiction, and those that enable fiction-science (or, 'fi-sci') pattern mapping. In her research and teaching she aims to show that fictionality has the rhetorical power to make science more accessible to the public. She directs FIU's Science & Fiction Lab, recipient of a 2023 Humanities Initiatives award from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

TBD

Cosmic Humanity is supported by HP and the FIU Department of Architecture. 
It is conceived and organized by Katarzyna Balug, Assistant Professor of Architecture. 
Web design by Nickolas Peter Chelyapov.