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About

Fengzhe Shi is a visionary researcher at the frontier of space biotechnology, whose work reimagines the future of human exploration beyond Earth. His primary research areas center on biomanufacturing for extraterrestrial environments, with a specific focus on leveraging biological systems to create sustainable life-support and material production on Mars. Shi’s most significant contribution is his landmark perspective, “Towards a Biomanufactory on Mars,” which has garnered a combined 77 citations across its 2020 and 2021 editions. In this work, he articulates a compelling framework for using engineered organisms—such as bacteria and algae—to convert Martian resources into food, pharmaceuticals, and construction materials, offering a dramatic mass, power, and volume advantage over traditional abiotic methods. By outlining the scientific and engineering goals for a crewed mission, Shi has provided a foundational blueprint for in-situ resource utilization, positioning biology as a key enabler of long-duration space habitation. His forward-thinking approach not only advances astrobiology and synthetic biology but also inspires a new generation of researchers to consider the cosmos as a viable frontier for sustainable innovation.