I don’t want to come off as arrogant here, but I’m the greatest botanist on the planet,” astronaut Mark Watney playfully boasted in the movie adaptation of Andy Weir’s “The Martian.” While Watney’s triumphs remain within the realm of fiction, scientists like Collin Topolski (’19, ’21, ’25) are bridging the gap between fantasy and science.
As a real-life expert in space agriculture, Topolski scrutinizes popular media with a critical eye. “The movie opted for potatoes, but our research favors leafy greens due to their quick growth cycles,” he points out. His research delves into the early life stages of various plants in the lunar and Martian regolith, exploring potential food sources for future colonists. He is particularly interested in vertical farming techniques that could optimize space and resource use in extraterrestrial environments.
Planting the Seeds for Extraterrestrial Farming
From his early academic years at Embry-Riddle, Topolski’s path was marked by a blend of ambition and curiosity. His educational journey from a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering to a future Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering has been punctuated by innovative explorations at the crossroads of technology and biology.
“Design simplicity is paramount in space, where every second of an astronaut’s time is a precious commodity.”
Collin Topolski (’19, ’21, ’25)
It was a serendipitous conversation with Karen Gaines, former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, that pivoted his focus from propulsion systems to the ecological dynamics of high-radiation environments. This shift led him to the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, where he studied organismal adaptations — insights critical for sustaining life on other planets.
Drawing on his lab and field experience, Topolski designed a clinostat, a device that manipulates light and gravity to simulate space conditions for plants. “Design simplicity is paramount in space, where every second of an astronaut’s time is a precious commodity,” he explains.
Reflecting on his academic and research evolution, Topolski notes, “While my advisor leaned towards bacterial research, I championed the potential of plants.” His determination uncovered NASA grants focused on integrating microbiology with plant science to enhance growth in off-Earth environments.
Cultivating Mars and Beyond
His passion and innovation in the field of vertical farming led him to participate in the TREP Expo, where he presented his findings and competed against other top innovators, securing recognition for his forward-thinking approach. When his company won the Global Products and Services Award, Topolski was able to move forward with a more sophisticated prototype.
In 2022, with partner Andy Zamora (’20), a systems engineer with Lockheed Martin, he launched Acreage Farms, in Daytona Beach, Florida, with the mission statement to “transform the landscape of agriculture to ensure food security for humanity.”
In 2023, Acreage Farms placed second in Launch Your Venture, a competition to support student entrepreneurs, sponsored by Embry-Riddle’s Research Park. They presented a solar-powered, mobile monitoring system that leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize vertical farming yields.
Topolski isn’t just conducting research; he’s inspiring a new generation. He envisions a future where students, influenced by his discoveries, transition from sporting “Occupy Mars” t-shirts to donning “Cultivate Mars” apparel, eager to turn the barren landscapes of distant worlds into lush, life-sustaining environments.