Michael Tyler Glymph is a rising junior at the College of Charleston Honors.

Tyler combines his studies in geology, astronomy, and biology to forge a unique path in space exploration.

His passion for understanding the complexities of the universe and human health in space has led him to significant research opportunities, including his work on Spaceflight Associated Neuroocular Syndrome at the Medical University of South Carolina.

His commitment to bridging diverse fields showcases the evolving nature of space careers and the new frontiers awaiting young scientists.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Childhood Passions to Academic Pursuits: How space movies influenced Tyler’s career path.

• Research on Spaceflight Associated Neuroocular Syndrome: Insight into his impactful research on astronauts’ vision.

• Opportunities Beyond Traditional Roles: Advocating for diverse careers within the space industry.

• Resilience and Determination: Overcoming personal and academic challenges.

• Vision for Humanity and Space: Tyler’s hopes for space exploration’s unifying role.

Quote:

“If you’re willing to work hard, even in the face of challenges and adversity, you’re going to be successful no matter what you do, space-related or not.”

- Michael Tyler Glymph

Episode Links:

• Connect with Michael Tyler Glymph on LinkedIn
• Medical University of South Carolina
• College of Charleston

Credits:

Production by CxS Partners LTD 

Executive Producer: Toby Goodman

Audio & Sound Design: Lee Turner

Artwork: Ryan Field

Production by CxS Partners LTD

Join our journey into the world of education and space: https://interastra.space

I think there are 2 major misconceptions. 1 is that you have to be some sort of super rich genius in order to really make it and be successful in this field. That kind of mindset is why I had a kid, and it's definitely not true, and it's not a good one to have. If you're willing to work hard, even in the face of challenges and adversity, you're gonna be successful no matter what you do, space related or not.

Hi. My name is Michael Tyler Glymph, but everyone just calls me Tyler, and you're listening to 'Your Business and Space'.

At the moment, I am currently a rising junior at the College of Charleston Honors. I'm a geology major and astronomy and biology minor.

I mean, I've always been really interested in rocks, space, and really just the complexities of life itself and how everything in the world works with one another. I, at the moment, I have a lot of interests, but I hope to combine them all into one profession. I'm also working with the Medical University of South Carolina, or MUSC for short, on research about a problem that a lot of astronauts on the International Space Station have been facing recently called Spaceflight Associated Neuroocular Syndrome, or SANS for short. SANS is essentially intracranial swelling caused by microgravity, which can have effects such as optic dyscedema as well as globe flattening, which both can have a negative effect on vision.

You're probably wondering, why is a person in geology doing aerospace medical research? I mean, my answer to that is I thought the topic was incredibly fascinating, and I really want to learn more about it. And by asking around, I was able to get the opportunity to do what I'm doing right now. But before college, I strictly only wanted to study study and pursue a career in planetary science and astrobiology. But as time went on and seeing how really vast the space industry really is, I was able to learn more about fields such as aerospace medicine and also space law.

Growing up, like most kids, I had no idea at all what I wanted to do as a job in the future. I mean, I had way too many interest to choose from, but I did know 2 things. 1, I wanna be able to help people, and 2, I really wanted a challenge. I didn't know that I had a great interest and almost a knack for science and space, but I thought that was just because of how much I really like to read and watch stuff related to those two topics. I mean, I also didn't really think I could really go into those fields because I didn't think I was smart enough. I was constantly encouraged by my parents and teachers that I was, and I can do anything I put my mind to, But I've always seen that in, like, for, like, TV shows or movies that to go into, like, that kind of field, you have to be, like, a super genius like Tony Stark or Sheldon Cooper in order to, like, really make it. Looking back, I suppose I really got my love space from my mom and dad as a kid. I mean, if you were to ask them during that time what my favorite movie was of all time, they would definitely just fold their eyes and say, Wall E, the Pixar movie.

But, I mean, I truly love and still do to this day that movie so much. I mean, I must have watched that that movie about a 100 times a week for 3 years straight as a kid. I mean, the whole theme in space being inevitable were concepts I found so fascinating. Because, I mean, what if, you know, if we as humans end up having to go live on another planet or in space for a while, I wanted to be that person who's able to help make that transition smoother, and that will be done by understanding the multiple facets of everything going on, like the legal and medical and the environmental aspects of it all. And I told my parents about this idea that I had and what I wanted to do, and they just encouraged me to really look more into the topic and to learn as much as you can. As a kid, as I was doing all this research about the space field and just trying to learn more about the industry itself, I want to see what I can do locally to get more involved and more accustomed to everything. But being from South Carolina, there are very, very few aerospace and space opportunities around me. But I kept seeing the same name over and over and over again as I was look looking locally for these opportunities, and that was astronaut Charles f Bolden junior.

His entire story just fascinated me so much and inspired me. I mean, I was this entire time, I've been trying to envision myself working in this field as kinda see myself doing it. But looking at the story and seeing, like, that he looked like me and seeing these from the same city as me I mean, 3 neighborhoods away from me, matter of fact, if he could do it, then I could do it as well. Even though astronaut Bolden's success story did greatly inspire me to keep working hard and motivate me to try to go beyond what I thought was possible. That doesn't mean that the challenge and adversities I would face in to accomplish my dreams and goals will get any easier at that time or even now. In school alone, I knew that I like to work a lot harder than anyone else around me due to the fact that the way I learned things was wasn't the same as others or my peers. And I knew that I had to work on that 2 times, if not 3 times, harder is to make sure I can keep up with them and hopefully surpass them at some point. And, of course, it's a lot easier said than done.

But with god, hard work, and determination, and encouragement for my family and friends, I was able to do it. I was also able to figure out more effective ways for me to study and also learn things to that I've used to this day to be actively successful. One of the highlights of my life was during my senior year of high school where I was selected as one of 3 high school students across the entire nation to attend the first ever Interaster Conference. When I was applying for this conference, I didn't think I had a single shot in the world. I mean, not at all. I mean, one of 3? Like, that's insane. I was also incredibly stressed at the time as well. I was knee deep in college applications.

I was taking incredibly heavy course load in school and was trying to do soccer at the top of all of that. I just did the application and send it in and just prayed for the best, but I didn't really expect much to come back from this. So, I mean, so to really save myself from what I thought would be, like, a inevitable disappointment, I just pushed it back far in my mind. I mean, out of sight, out of mind. Upon the day where I got the results back, I just I didn't expect anything from it. So I just glanced over the email real quick and just closed it. I was like, okay. Well, whatever.

But then I thought I had read something wrong, so I went back and reread the email, and I did. I thought I didn't get anything, but it ended up being accepted. So, I mean, just, like, that excitement I got from that and just, like, the like, the just the adrenaline rush was just unmatched. The Inter Astra Conference was truly the highlight of my year.

I mean, that conference was just different from everything else I have ever done before, like, in, like, the space industry or, like, the events I've been to. The people there were like, the caliber of people there was just insane. Like, everyone there was incredibly successful, and I've done, like, some incredible things within the space field. Like, that feeling of imposter syndrome of of me being, like, why am I here among all these other people who have done such amazing things?

But in those kind of moments, I think it's really important to really just take a sec second back and just to breathe and to realize that you're here for a reason, so walk in it.

On the first night I was there was just it was huge for me due to the fact that I was able to meet and take a picture with one of my childhood heroes, astronaut Charles Bolden. I was also able to have dinner with him or have dinner and sit by this item. And during that time, I definitely talked his ear off by asking him, like, millions and millions of questions, which definitely do feel bad about that. But that was incredibly helpful for me because, I mean, I was asking him questions about what he would do if he could walk a mile in my shoes, essentially. If he was me, like, at that moment, what would he do in trying to pursue, like, all of my like, these, like, different interests I have. The advice that Ashraman Golden gave me was that if you're trying your best in whatever you do, you will be successful. Make sure you take life in steps, not in strides, because you're gonna get to the final destination insane. And then he said to make sure that you're creating your own path to your goal.

He said, be a role model for others that come behind you. Always. That moment, I knew I really wanna join the space industry because, like, that confidence in, like, the set assure you that he gave me and that something is gonna work out. And that if I just work hard, that I will be able to accomplish and be able to really be able to achieve the goals and dreams that I have. I don't have to have it all figured out at that this second or this moment, but the fact that if I work hard, I'll be able to figure out those steps that I need to make and also can help others take those steps as well in the future. And just anyway, he helped me. I believe that in the future, success for space will essentially look like space exploration being more accessible by everyone, and that space will become more of, like, a everyday topic for everyone as well. Space exploration can play a huge, huge role in bringing humanity together, especially in terms of unifying people due to the fact that going to space and trying to especially trying to inhabit another planet is not some easy task.

I mean, it's gonna take all of humanity to come together to accomplish this audacious goal. So that will create unity and hopefully create peace, like, throughout the world. When it comes to the business of space, I think there are 2 major misconceptions. 1 is that you have to be some sort of super rich genius in order to really make it and be successful in this field. That kind of mindset is why I had a kid, and it's definitely not true, and it's not a good one to have. If you're willing to work hard, even in the face of challenges and adversity, you're gonna be successful no matter what you do, space related or not. I think that's the second biggest misconception is that is one that I hear really, really often from my peers and this younger students is that the space industry is very, very narrow in terms of jobs. Most people think that rocket science and being an astronaut are, like, their main professions and, like, only professions you can really get in the space industry.

However, like, that's very, very not true. The space field is incredibly huge and is rapidly growing, and this opportunity is being added every single day. Whatever interest you have can be related back to space in some form or fashion. And if there's not one, create it. Be a leader. Be a trailblazer.

There is truly a spot for everyone in this space, and that's, like, the one of the biggest hit points I hope that everyone takes away from this.

I'm Michael Tyler Glymph, and you've been listening to 'Your Business in Space'.

All the ways to connect with me are in the links in the show notes.

To discover more, please head to interastra.space

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