Alysson Muotri

Alysson Muotri is a Brazilian neuroscientist based at the University of California, San Diego, where he serves as a professor in the departments of Pediatrics and Cellular Medicine. He is renowned for his pioneering work in creating brain organoids, or 'mini-brains,' from human stem cells, which are used to study brain development and neurological diseases such as autism and Alzheimer's. Muotri's personal connection to autism, being the father of an autistic child, drives his research focus. In a groundbreaking move, he is set to become an astronaut in 2026 to conduct experiments on these organoids aboard the International Space Station (ISS), aiming to uncover new insights into neurological conditions. His work has garnered international attention and he is actively collaborating with researchers across the globe, including partnerships with indigenous communities in the Amazon to explore neuroactive compounds for potential treatments.