Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is the first HBCU to embark on new research programs in partnership with NASA.  WSSU’s Astrobotany Lab has signed a four-year agreement with NASA to research food development with a team of aspiring scientists.  The lab which is filled with all the materials needed to grow plants, fruits, and vegetables, uses synthetic dirt to figure out how to grow food in Mars.  The program is led by Professor Dr. Rafael Loueiro leads and aims to allow students to see the fascinating world of plants as well as the study