A space shuttle glides through a starry void above the curved horizon of Earth, accompanied by glowing orbital rings and a scientific logo.

Brainstorms New Port Richey Inc.

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Brainstorms in Orbit: An Evening with NASA Astronaut Dr. Jim Pawelczyk Monday, November 2, 2026 | 5:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. | Richey Suncoast Theatre In the spring of 1998, physiologist Jim Pawelczyk flew aboard Space Shuttle Columbia on STS-90, a mission called Neurolab, devoted entirely to studying the brain and nervous system in space. Over 16 days and 256 orbits of Earth, he and his crewmates served as both scientists and test subjects, investigating how the brain, nerves, heart, and blood vessels adapt when gravity disappears. Join Brainstorms NPR for an evening with Dr. Pawelczyk as he shares what it was like to live and work in orbit, what Neurolab revealed about the human body, and why that research still matters for medicine on Earth and for future missions to the Moon and Mars. A Penn State physiologist and the first American astronaut of full Polish descent to fly in space, he brings a scientist&rsquo;s precision and a firsthand view few people will ever have. Bring your questions.

Brainstorms in Orbit: An Evening with NASA Astronaut Dr. Jim Pawelczyk Monday, November 2, 2026 | 5:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. | Richey Suncoast Theatre In the spring of 1998, physiologist Jim Pawelczyk flew aboard Space Shuttle Columbia on STS-90, a mission called Neurolab, devoted entirely to studying the brain and nervous system in space. Over 16 days and 256 orbits of Earth, he and his crewmates served as both scientists and test subjects, investigating how the brain, nerves, heart, and blood vessels adapt when gravity disappears. Join Brainstorms NPR for an evening with Dr. Pawelczyk as he shares what it was like to live and work in orbit, what Neurolab revealed about the human body, and why that research still matters for medicine on Earth and for future missions to the Moon and Mars. A Penn State physiologist and the first American astronaut of full Polish descent to fly in space, he brings a scientist’s precision and a firsthand view few people will ever have. Bring your questions.

Brainstorms New Port Richey Inc.

Brainstorms in Orbit: An Evening with NASA Astronaut Dr. Jim Pawelczyk

6237 Grand Blvd

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