KSC-02PD-0612

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Center Director Roy D. Bridges Jr. shows his enthusiasm for the new program SABRE being launched at KSC. SABRE, Space Agricultural Biotechnology Research and Education, involves the University of Florida and NASA. Bridges was speaking at the opening ceremony that included officials from both organizations. SABRE will focus on the discovery, development and application of the biological aspects of advanced life support strategies. The program will include faculty from UF's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, who will be located at both KSC - in the state-owned Space Experiment Research and Processing Laboratory (SERPL) being built there - and UF in Gainesville. SABRE will be directed by Robert Ferl, professor in the horticultural sciences department and assistant director of UF's Biotechnology Program. He will be responsible for coordinating the research and education efforts of UF and NASA