The NASA-backed Translational Research Institute for Space Health is innovating the future of life in space. Libby Neder Photography

For Dorit Donoviel, innovation means risk — and there's not a lot that's riskier than traveling to and living in outer space. As director of Houston-based TRISH — the Translational Research Institute for Space Health — Donoviel is tasked by NASA to take some risks in order to innovate.

"Everyone tosses the word 'innovation' around, but that means, to us, taking risks in science. Health care, in particular, is very risk averse, but the space industry is taking risks every single day when they put people in a rocket and hurl them into space," Donoviel says on this week's episode of the Houston Innovators Podcast. "If we're going to mars, for example, we are going to put people at risk.

"For us to take risks in order to reduce risk is a really amazing opportunity."

TRISH works hand in hand with NASA's Human Research Program to identify the program's biggest concerns, and then tap into professors, researchers, and scientists from Baylor College of Medicine, California Institute of Technology, the Massachusetts Institute for Technology, and other partners in order to innovate solutions.

Some of the issues TRISH is working to provide solutions for range from protecting from radiation exposure on the moon and mars to personal health care — astronauts have to be a doctor to themselves when they are on the space station.

"That's a totally new model for health care, so we have to solve all those problems and invest in them," Donoviel says.

In a lot of ways, TRISH connects the dots of modern space research, explains Donoviel. The organization taps into its researcher network, as well as into startups and companies with innovative technologies, in order to deliver the best space innovations to NASA.

Donoviel goes into more details on how TRISH interacts with entrepreneurs as well as what new technologies the organization has seen success with in the episode. Stream the podcast below, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.


Australia-based Moonshot has opened a Houston chapter. Miriam Espacio / Pexels

Global space startup and innovation connector opens Houston branch

Space city win

It's almost an understatement to say that Houston's space economy is taking off like a rocket.

On May 28, four companies in the Houston area — Axiom Space Inc., Boeing Co., KBRwyle, and NanoRacks LLC — were tasked with helping chart NASA's course in the space economy, whose global value is projected to climb as high as $3 trillion by 2040. Three days later, Houston-based Intuitive Machines LLC was awarded a $77.2 million contract to send as many as five NASA payloads to the moon.

And a month later, on June 26, officials broke ground on the first phase of Houston Spaceport, a 450-acre project at Ellington Airport that will serve as a sort of control center for aerospace research and manufacturing, and commercial space operations.

Then, on July 19 — a day ahead of the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 man-on-the-moon mission — Australia-based startup Moonshot Space Co. launched a chapter in Houston to help foster the region's multibillion-dollar space economy. Through its programming, which will kick off this fall, Moonshot seeks to corral entrepreneurs, students, job seekers, business executives, investors, university researchers, government officials, and others in an effort to nurture and promote Houston's space economy.

Troy McCann, founder and CEO of Moonshot, believes Houston — home to NASA's Johnson Space Center — can emerge as the epicenter of the global space economy.

"You'd have to have been living under a rock for the past 50 years not to be aware of Houston's stellar aerospace ecosystem," McCann says. "It's got both the historical credibility and a suite of … successful commercial space ventures based there."

"We want to help fine-tune Houston's space economy by providing a proven framework to elevate people and their ideas into successful teams and scalable businesses," McCann adds, "and to create the industries of the future and solve humanity's greatest challenges."

The Houston chapter, a nonprofit venture, is Moonshot's first in the U.S. and second outside Australia. Nathan Johnson, a Houston attorney who specializes in space law and business development, has been tapped to direct it.

"We're in the process of starting chapters across the globe because we believe that the next Nikola Tesla or Marie Curie is out there somewhere, but they don't have access to the resources they need to change the world for the better," McCann says. "Today, the average person has the ability to start a commercial space program for less than the cost of a fast-food franchise."

Johnson says Houston's prominence as NASA's hub for human spaceflight, its status as the "Energy Capital of the World," and the presence of the Texas Medical Center combine to make Space City a potent force in the space economy.

"My hope is to see Houston continue to lead in space and become a hub for the next wave of space commercialization," Johnson says. "We have a wide breadth of industries, and I would like to see that terrestrial expertise extend to new market applications in space."

If Houston does evolve into a nucleus for the global space economy, it stands to reap sky-high financial rewards. Various analysts forecast the global space economy will soar to between $1 trillion and $3 trillion by 2040, up from an estimated $415 billion in 2018.

"Space is and will be a global endeavor, depending on a strong economy, smart industries, and a talented workforce," Johnson says. "Houston already has all of those things, continues to actively develop them at all levels of the community, and does so in a way that reflects the world's population."

The new exhibit is the first of its kind and will be open later this summer. Courtesy of Space Center Houston

New SpaceX exhibit expected to land at Space Center Houston this summer

Mission control

Space Center Houston has a new exhibit launching this summer. The nonprofit will have a Falcon 9 first stage booster on display starting later this summer.

The booster was used in two missions, which marked the first time a refurbished booster was used on a NASA mission. It first launched in June 2017 with a commercial resupply mission (CRS-11) and returned successfully to Earth. Then, the booster was flown a second time in December 2017 (CRS-13).

"We're excited to welcome Falcon 9 to our growing center," says William T. Harris, president and CEO of Space Center Houston, in a release. "It's part of an historic achievement designing a reusable rocket to further space exploration and America's commercial space industry. The new exhibit is one way we're interpreting the future of human spaceflight. We are deeply grateful to SpaceX for their contribution."

The booster, B1035, is one of only two of its kind on display, and the exhibit is the first commercial space exhibit for the museum. The booster will be displayed near Independence Plaza and will be presented on its side and raised 14 feet so that visitors can walk underneath it and learn about reusable technology in space and how it's making space travel more accessible.

NASA's Space Shuttle Program was the first to bring reusable spacecraft into existence, which lead to more accessibility and the creation of important advances in space technology, such as the International Space Station. SpaceX is continuing this technology within the commercial realm of space travel.

The exhibit was announced at Space Center Houston's Galaxy Gala presented by Chevron on Thursday, May 9. The event was led by co-chairs Peggy Kostial with Shanell and Walker Moody. Guests at the event enjoyed special presentations and sneak peeks, while raising nearly $700,000 for the Manned Space Flight Education Foundation. The proceeds will support the nonprofit's extensive education programs that benefits serving youth and educators from around the world.

"We strive to inspire youth to be part of the NASA mission," says Harris in the release. "From launching a rocket to designing a future spacecraft, we want everyone to have exceptional learning opportunities and to think outside the box like a scientist, engineer or astronaut. Thank you to our generous sponsors and donors whose contributions help us provide authentic learning experiences to people of all ages."

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10+ can't-miss Houston business and innovation events for December

WHERE TO BE

From networking meetups to pitch competitions, December is filled with opportunities for Houston innovators. Here's a roundup of events you won't want to miss out on so mark your calendars and register accordingly.

Note: This post might be updated to add more events.


December 3 — Cup of Joey: InnovationMap Awards Finalist Celebration

Meet the finalists of the Innovation Awards and network with like-minded, curious individuals over strong coffee.

This event is Tuesday, December 3, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at 820 Gessner Rd. Click here to register.

December 3 — Antwerp-Houston Innovation Mission: Cleantech Pitching Event

Pitch your cleantech solution to members of both the Antwerp and Houston ecosystem. This cleantech pitch competition will feature networking with industry leaders, investors, and like-minded individuals passionate about sustainability. Witness groundbreaking ideas, support the future of cleantech, and take advantage of a unique opportunity to pitch to the Port Of Antwerp-Bruges, Bluechem, StartUp Flanders and more.

This event is Tuesday, December 3, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Ion. Click here to register.

December 4-5 — Energy LIVE 2024

A full-spectrum energy exhibition, with 3000+ decision-maker attendees and 100 booths - the first meeting point for North America's clean energy ecosystem post-U.S. election, where attendees will seize emerging opportunities for sustainable profit. The Energy LIVE Expo will connect the three concurrent strategic conferences to laser focus on facilitating the next generation of net-zero partnerships.

This event begins Wednesday, December 4, at NRG Park. Click here to register.

December 5 — Holiday Block Party at the Ion

Join the Rice Alliance team for a holiday block party at the Ion featuring familiar faces and a healthy dose of Houston’s entrepreneurial energy. This is a celebration where you can catch up with old friends, meet new ones and soak in the holiday spirit. In the spirit of giving, Operation Love is hosting a toy drive at the event. Bring a toy to donate, and wrap it up at the gift-wrapping station.

This event is Thursday, December 5, from 4 to 7 pm at the Ion. Click here to register.

December 5 — SouthWest-Midwest National Pediatric Device Innovation Consortium

This annual event brings together members, colleagues, and guests of our FDA-supported consortium, dedicated to assisting pediatric device innovators throughout the entire lifecycle in delivering innovative solutions to pediatric patients. Angela Lorts, MD, MBA, of ACTION Network and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital will deliver a keynote address followed by a panel discussion on clinical trials/ evidence generation for pediatric devices and real-world evidence case studies.

This event is Thursday, December 5, from 4 to 7:30 pm at Texas A&M EnMed Tower. Click here to register.

December 6 — Inaugural Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center GI Oncology Symposium

In this session, attendees will explore the latest advancements in surgical techniques for early-stage hepatobiliary cancer. The presentations will cover innovative operative approaches that enhance surgical outcomes and improve patient recovery. Expert surgeons will discuss their experiences with new technologies and methods, including minimally invasive procedures and enhanced imaging techniques.

This event is Friday, December 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m at Houston Methodist Research Institute. Click here to register.

December 9 — Pumps & Pipes Annual Event 2024

The Pumps & Pipes Annual Event is an innovation gathering bringing together cross-industry leaders in Aerospace, Energy, and Medicine for engaging discussions and top tier networking opportunities. There will be three hour-long sessions ranging from space to medical technologies. The "Skybound Synergies: State of Texas Aerospace Investments & Their Ripple Effect" panel will spotlight Texas’ critical role in shaping the future of aerospace, with a focus on its cross-sector impact, from space exploration to innovation in energy & healthcare. Speakers include: Norman Garza, Jr., Executive Director of the Texas Space Commission (TSC); as well as two members of the TSC board of directors: Sarah “Sassie” Duggelby, CEO/Co-Founder of Venus Aerospace; & Kathryn Lueders, GM at Starbase, SpaceX.

In the "Innovating the Impossible: Real-World Applications of Robotics & Synthetic Bio" speakers will explore the groundbreaking intersection of synthetic biology and robotics as they reshape industries from aerospace to energy to healthcare. In "The Total Artificial Heart: Past, Present, & Future; a Uniquely Houston Story" Dr. Billy Cohn, will discuss the groundbreaking BiVACOR TAH, a device that fully replaces the function of the heart using a magnetically levitated rotary pump. This innovative approach is part of an FDA-approved first-in-human study, aiming to evaluate its use as a bridge-to-transplant for patients awaiting heart transplants.

This event is Monday, December 9, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Texas Medical Center Helix Park. Click here to register.

December 9 — The $2 Million to $22 Million ARR Playbook

Join Next Stage Trajectory at The Cannon West Houston and learn from leaders who have navigated the path from promising startup to established industry player. This panel brings together three accomplished founders who have successfully scaled their companies from $2 million to over $20 million in annual recurring revenue within a short time period. Expert speakers will share insights, strategies, and hard-won lessons from their journeys.

This event is Monday, December 9, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Cannon. Click here to register.

December 11 — Jingle Mingle and the Houston Tech & Energytech Extravaganza

Celebrate the season with Houston’s tech, energy transition, and life science startup communities. Enjoy music, holiday lights, an ugly sweater competition, and maybe even a visit from Startup Santa. Network with fellow builders in the Houston energy transition and foster meaningful connections and collaborations.

This event is Wednesday, December 11, from 5 to 9 pm at 401 Franklin St. Click here to register.

December 12 — Houston Region Economic Outlook

The Greater Houston Partnership’s Chief Economist Patrick Jankowski will present the organization’s Houston economic forecast for 2025, discussing the regional employment outlook for the year ahead and the overall regional and national economic outlook. This year’s event is particularly significant as it marks Jankowski’s final forecast presentation before his well-earned retirement after a 41-year career with the Partnership.

The Partnership’s Houston Region Economic Outlook event will also feature a panel discussion with experts discussing their insights on their respective industries, including commercial real estate and energy, moderated by Dan Bellow, President of JLL. Panelists include Stan Chapman, Executive Vice President & COO, Natural Gas Pipelines, TC Energy; Mary Beth Gracy, Houston Office Managing Director, Accenture.

This event is Thursday, December 12, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Royal Sonesta. Click here to register.

December 13 — 2024 Women In Agriculture Conference

Urban Harvest will host its third annual Women in Agriculture Conference, bringing together urban gardeners, farmers, entrepreneurs, and plant enthusiasts from across Texas to celebrate, educate, and uplift the work of women shaping the agricultural landscape. The conference features expert panels, networking opportunities, food, and prizes, and will offer a platform to share resources and knowledge for sustainable agriculture practices.

This event is Friday, December 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Houston Community College - West Houston Institute Campus. Click here to register.

Houston health startup launches tool to revolutionize kidney care, reduce costs

here to help

Chronic Kidney Disease is expensive and common. In fact, 37 million Americans live with the condition. The winner of this year’s Houston Innovation Award for best female-founded business, Koda Health, recognized the need for help among CKD sufferers and has answered the call.

Last week, Koda Health announced the addition of Kidney Action Planning to its suite of services for patients with serious illnesses.

"Kidney Action Planning is designed to fill a significant void in CKD management," Tatiana Fofanova, CEO of Koda Health, says in a statement. "Some studies indicate greater than 70 percent of patients start dialysis in the ER suboptimally, potentially navigating a life-or-death scenario. This is both frightening and largely avoidable with an intervention like Kidney Action Planning, which helps patients better understand CKD.”

Nearly one in four Medicare dollars is spent on kidney care. That’s roughly $130 billion each year. How does KAP help?

The solution uses technology to support CKD patients from the moment of diagnosis. By using KAP, patients are educated about their condition, which empowers them to make their own decisions about treatment as the disease progresses.

Using targeted patient outreach, KAP aids healthcare workers in identifying patients who require assistance with care planning. It then matches them with the best fit for solutions. The company’s interactive, gamified digital tools teach and guide users through making care plans using their own personal values. But KAP doesn’t exist entirely on a device. For higher risk cases, patients can connect with KodaCares Patient Advocates, who provide the 1:1 assistance that only a human can.

A major goal of KAP is to minimize unplanned and inappropriate treatments, dramatically minimizing the cost to patients.

“With an unplanned dialysis start estimated to cost about $95,000 per patient compared to $25,000 per planned start – our new tool enables healthcare organizations to allocate the resources necessary to deliver proactive decision-making and disease education. We believe Kidney Action Planning has the potential to transform chronic kidney care for patients and the organizations that serve them," says Fofanova.

Koda Health launched its original software platform, Advance Care Planning, in 2021. It’s now used by 700,000 patients around the country to help make their medical wishes a reality, with the help of industry leaders such as Cigna, Privia and Houston Methodist. For patients with CKD and end-stage kidney disease, the new technology could make a substantial difference in the quality and cost of their care.