Ohio State students share research, entrepreneurship at global conference

Ohio State students share research, entrepreneurship at global conference

Ian and Nikolas Harris attended International Astronautical Congress in Milan

Brothers Ian and Nikolas Harris, who are students at The Ohio State University and entrepreneurs, recently shared their academic research and technological innovations on a global stage. The Harris brothers were among five Ohio State students who attended the 75th International Astronautical Congress in Milan, Italy.

The congress brought together more than 8,000 academic researchers and industry experts from around the world to discuss the role of space technology in promoting environmental sustainability.

Nikolas Harris, the younger brother, described participating in the congress as "an experience of a lifetime." Harris said the event offered opportunities to learn more about the first-ever science park devoted to space research, which is located at Ohio State.

The George Washington Carver Science Park (GWCSP) is a collaboration between Voyager Space, Ohio State, the state of Ohio, JobsOhio and One Columbus, and will house a replica laboratory of the Starlab space station developed by Nanoracks.

"There were a lot of conversations with Voyager and Nanoracks and people on that front for Ohio State and the new Starlab space station that's going up," Nikolas Harris said. "We had some incredible conversations."

The theme of the congress dovetails with the mission of SPAERO Systems, the company that the Harris brothers founded. The startup is working to create sustainable technologies for use in space and on the ground.

SPAERO Systems placed first in Ohio State's BOSS Space Ventures competition and went on to earn $50,000 in funding from the President's Buckeye Accelerator programthrough the Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship. Ian Harris has also served as a student assistant at the GWCSP.

At the congress, Nikolas discussed SPAERO Systems' technology, while Ian presented his academic research that the company's product is built on. Their product, SWAN (Sterilizing Wand for Antimicrobial Neutralization), uses plasma technology to sanitize surfaces by targeting microbes.

"We knew that our technology could do something, it could make an impact," Nikolas Harris said. "That's when we decided to [enter] the Keenan Center Space Ventures competition and pitch for that and grow the company as a living, breathing entity."

In Milan, the Harris brothers interacted with representatives from space agencies, private companies, research centers and astronautical associations from across the world.

"We were able to meet influential people that we have always dreamed of meeting," Nikolas Harris said. "It was a really incredible opportunity to connect with a lot of these people out there. It was a great thing for both of us on an individual level and for the company."

The Harris brothers' interest in space began at a young age.

"We grew up loving space our entire lives. For me, I started with just a telescope," Nikolas Harris said. "I would always go out and set it up, leaning on the porch deck to look at the moon through the telescope. That's kind of how it started when we were 5, 6 years old, just doing that outside and falling in love with space."

The more the Harris brothers learned, the more their curiosity about the cosmos grew.

"I started to get into the intricacies of everything that you can examine and look at" with a telescope, Nikolas Harris said. "And that's when astronomy became really a huge part of who I am."

The Harris brothers plan to continue operating SPAERO Systems while furthering their studies. Ian graduated in May with bachelor's degrees in aerospace engineering, astrophysics, astronomy and physics and two minors in nuclear engineering and mathematics. He will begin his doctorate work at Ohio State this fall in nuclear engineering.

Nikolas will be a second-year student in the fall pursuing three degrees: food business management, entrepreneurship and innovation, and general business.

"What I'm here for is to really dive into how I can be the best entrepreneur I could possibly be," he said. "That's what we're really excited to do as SPAERO Systems, is to keep growing it during this whole journey."

During their trip to the congress, Nikolas and Ian not only interacted with people of all backgrounds who share their interest in space - they also went sightseeing in and around Milan and met residents.

Nikolas said they encourage their Ohio State peers to participate in international programs that can enhance their education and expand their perspectives.

"These opportunities are once in a lifetime, they really are. And all the resources are here at Ohio State," he said. "We're incredibly lucky to have that."

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