From the Bronx to zero gravity. Dr. Aidyl Gonzalez-Serricchio, a first-generation scientist working on Alzheimer's research, receives a long-awaited yes from Space for Humanity and takes a parabolic flight in France. She reflects on perspective, community, persistence, why diversity matters, and her preparation for future microgravity research. From Soil to the Stars.
From Soil to the Stars with Dr. Aidyl Gonzalez. Her Journey from the Bronx to Alzheimer’s Research, and Her First Zero-G Experience to Prepare for Future Microgravity Research.
About Dr. G:
Website: https://draidylgonzalez.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/real_dr.g/
Space for Humanity:
Website: https://spaceforhumanity.org/
Zero-G 2026 Cohort: https://spaceforhumanity.org/blog/menteesinzerog-zj3d7-rx2yx
Timestamps:
0:00 “I’m ready, willing, and able to solve this disease”
0:39 Host intro and episode setup
1:04 How it happened: applying, reaching round two, becoming an alternate
2:39 Why she wants a larger platform (research access for all)
3:08 Two days later she’s headed to France, carrying her mother’s ashes and a data device
3:34 Meeting the cohort and Apollo astronaut Charlie Duke
4:29 First moments of weightlessness
5:03 “Go in zero G” as a lesson in perspective
5:24 Practicing her research settings in the corner
6:33 Interconnection: “we are so much stronger than we give ourselves credit for”
6:51 Charlie Duke: “This is not a simulation. This is real.”
7:50 “When opportunity comes, you grab it”
8:02 Origin story: the Bronx, Operation Bootstrap, the cockroach question
9:22 “There is space for everybody”
10:12 Representation as hugs; the December 1st YouTube channel
11:04 The phone call, her “robot mode” checklist, what she packed
12:41 Meeting the cohort; offering access to each other
13:15 Training day: body expectations, suits, GoPros
14:53 The physics: how a plane creates zero-G
15:46 Three experiences: zero-G, lunar and Mars-style gravity
16:19 The “smack” of pulling out of the parabola, plus bruises
17:13 Her Alzheimer’s “why” and her family history
18:27 After the flight: “We did it… but this is just the beginning”
19:06 What Space for Humanity is and how to apply
20:44 Seeing Earth from altitude: “further away than ever from the Bronx”
21:54 Community support system and lifting others
22:59 Lava tube biomats and why diversity matters
24:33 Alzheimer’s research: environment, epigenetics, gene expression
26:10 The “two deaths” of Alzheimer’s
26:33 Wrap-up: “From Dr. G to zero G”
From Soil to the Stars: Zero-G Flight with Dr. Aidyl Gonzalez-Serricchio
[0:00] Dr. G: From soil to the stars, I wanted to take the opportunity to demonstrate that I'm ready, willing, and able to solve this disease, Alzheimer's, that they see me as an asset who could carry that extra torch to solve real world problems and bring it back. And I'm taking community with me. I want to make sure every student, every person from 5 to 105 to have an opportunity to participate in research, to develop agency, to be part of the discovery.
[0:31] Host: It is an honor to welcome back Dr. Aidyl Gonzalez, also known as Dr. G. A scientist who used this first zero gravity experience to prepare for future microgravity research. Join us as she tells the story of her zero G flight with Space for Humanity, where science meets wonder and one experience that changed lives.
[1:02] Dr. G: Let me tell you how the story happened. I applied for Space for Humanity, for many opportunities, for a long time. Been trying to get my research in space for a long time. Parabolic Phase 1, they closed it down in the US, there's no parabolic. But I applied. I said my story, my aspirations. I got all the way to the second round. [Spanish interjection] No idea. You had a great application. They're going to go. And I'm like, okay, that's fine. And I'm always so close to the end for all my adventures. Like a week before they were supposed to fly, I get an email. "Hey, Aidyl, there's an opportunity. We would like to include you as a possible alternate for being part of the cohort."
[1:48] A door opened. I thought it was closed, but let me go in, I talked and we were discussing all the opportunities, what was my plan, especially now I have my research and trying to get as much support, but also I want to make sure every student, every person from five to 105 to have an opportunity to participate in research, to develop agency, to be part of the discovery, especially since we actually are living through this extremely hot weather, water supply being tainted or limited, whatever is happening in your community, there is a change going on. We may need to be adapting, but we also have to go down to all these corners of the world to say, "Here's opportunities, here's science." We need all hands on deck to figure out something. So I told them all the stuff that I have been trying to set up and that I have set up.
[2:39] But I just need a larger voice, a larger platform. Great, you might be an alternate. I get another email, you're an alternate. I'm like, okay, but when do I know? Because I got research, I tutor, I go to schools. And you need to reach the place, because it's not in the United States. Then, here are the things to get ready, just in case. Then the next day, you're in. I'm like, this is why you always persist. You don't stop until it ends. What a great opportunity. Two days later, I'm heading to France, and I have Mami's ashes with me.
[3:12] Like, "Mami, we're getting closer." I brought a little device called a data box just to give me data when I had this parabolic flight. Okay, we get there. And I meet these incredible scientists-minded, great communicators that are part of the cohort. Fantastic individuals that we all clicked. That's what was happening. Then all of a sudden we met a person named Charlie Duke who actually walked on the moon.
[3:45] From the Apollo. Mom, look where I am. From the ghetto, from welfare, there's a reason. And then I met Nicole Scott. I met all these individuals from part of Space for Humanity. The intentions of we need to make sure everybody has access and that space is a next step for humanity, but we're not forgetting what to bring it back to Earth. Not only to help our planet, to help each other, to help ourselves, to find innovations, to keep ourselves healthy. Then when they were prepping us to do the parabolic flight, I'm like, it's going to happen. Well, the first thing I did is I went to the captain, the pilot, which was also another astronaut. I'm like, I need to attach this to the front. They go, sure, here. They attached my little device. Thank you, data box.
[4:27] To take some measurements. And then they say, okay, lie down, we float up and It was like losing control, but you're letting yourself lose control. You just float up. But how beautiful it is that once you let yourself go, You don't know what's up or down, left or right? And that helped me reinforce — I always believed this, but it's like, what a way to feel it. There's no one way to look at something There's different ways upside down and you don't know which way is correct. You just didn't know Like, I wish everybody had that.
[5:07] Because when somebody says, "Oh, how do you know you're looking at a different perspective?" Go in Zero-G because you don't know what's white side up. And it doesn't feel wrong, it just feels natural. And then you fall down. So I had Mami in my heart, I had all my stuff on me, and then I might have an opportunity soon to do my Alzheimer's research in space to look at particular biomarkers. So you see me in the corner, if you look at any of the videos, you see me in the corner going through the motions of how to do my experiment without getting sick. I didn't get sick, but you could get queasy. You're moving left and right, up and down, mirando todo, because your body doesn't know what's right side up.
[5:48] You see me in a corner If you get the opportunity, if they say "Mañana es," I have my experiment ready. I'm ready to go. I'm thinking that way. Seize the day. You never know if tomorrow you have to go, you're ready. I just kept on. I had a moment like I remember Christina Koch, she spoke that the best relaxation, the best sleep, just letting yourself go sleeping in space. I just let myself float and just go wherever. And feeling no pressure in your body, it's like how can you just find like the color blue from a sky or a beautiful sunset? You could just say, "Mira, mira eso." You know, you can't really get that [in] words. So all I can say, it was wow. And I hope everybody has an opportunity. The closest is floating in water.
[6:30] It just shows that We are so much stronger. As humans how interconnected we are as humans that we give ourselves credit for. And that we need to remind each other: okay, I'm here for you, you're here for me. We're interconnected because when we were floating. There were other people that I didn't know and we were connecting. Look at this and then we see. Charlie Duke actually walked on the moon saying, "This is exactly how it feels. This is not a simulation. This is real." We are at a point, I feel, and I was telling some of my mentees not that long ago that I think we are at a point that we need to make a conscious decision.
[7:08] Of what we need for ourselves and as humanity. What do we want to put out there? For the next generation. The future is actually pretty golden right now if we are talking to each other. Communication. Rosie, I appreciate you because you expand everyone's voice at different perspectives. Now is the time of action, but with joy.
[7:24] Host: This is once in a lifetime for a lot of people, if anything, the majority of the people just think about it, dream about it. And you, Dr. G from the Bronx, have the opportunity to actually do it. At the very last minute. Cuando la oportunidad viene, agárrala. (When opportunity comes, you grab it.) Let's go from the beginning because people are like, "How did she do it?" And maybe people don't know you from the previous episode that we did.
[8:01] Host: How was the process to be considered for this? Give me a preview of those things.
[8:07] Dr. G: So I'm first generation here, Mami and Papi came to the United States. In Puerto Rico, it was during the Operation Bootstrap. You know, when I was in the Bronx, the opportunities were not there. But I have to say that TV shows — cockroaches — just made me keep on thinking, why is that cockroach, that life form thriving? While my community cannot thrive. The food insecurities, lack of a better word, othered, you know — only they could do it, we can't. I always felt that responsibility that no, if nobody's going to do it, I'm going to do it. I need to do this. There's a reason why, even though — because I am different, you know, all the other flavors, but something told me I had to.
[8:55] I just kept on, like, just pushing. Mami, Papi — Mami and Papi sacrificed so much, worked so much, did so much that I should just stop. And then I have my own children and students that look up to me, they're watching me all the time. If I said, "Oh, keep on, you could do it, you could do it." I should do that to myself. And if you want to inspire the next generation and what you wanted to be inspired when you were younger, do it now.
[9:28] and realize that there's space for everybody. There is space for everybody. You do not need to put anyone down. To feel like you're superior, but it's the community that helps us thrive. Thank you again for the opportunity to talk about this and you spread this love and this empowerment that, yes, let's take action.
[9:42] Host: Thank you for saying yes. I'm so grateful that you're sharing this. [Spanish, not captured] … everybody for this to happen. And I get excited about it because it's like, yes, it can be done. Maybe it's not happening to me right now, but look, it's happening to her. If it happened to her, it can happen to someone else. Representation and the path of our voices are like hugs to other people. That's us touching them. That's the power of this technology.
[10:01] Dr. G: Now there's the next step. And we got to say, what are the next steps? And I'm like literally saying, preparing, like I try to even now with the Instagrams, I'm just saying, I'm taking community with me. From soil to the stars, because this is literally what I'm living through. Right now, I'm supposed to launch on December 1st, a YouTube channel. Mine is action-based. So I'm being mentored by Space for Humanity. I'm very grateful. To be continued. Another reason why to say yes, because you never know what other doors are going to open after this first. It's a responsibility that we have with the dreams and the ideas that has been given to us.
[10:59] Host: Qué tremenda, qué tremenda oportunidad. Mira, vamos a ver ahora paso a paso. (What a tremendous opportunity. Look, let's go step by step now.) the yes that came at the last minute. So you got this call and you were selected and your background is self-explanatory. So you have all this laid out, everything is ready. How was from that phone call or email or message that you received to get to France? And then meeting the rest of the team. Getting to France. How was that transition for the people who are thinking about it or might be able to do it and can't?
[11:35] Or who want to inspire others to do it.
[11:38] Dr. G: I got the phone call. This is real. Because I got so used to getting close and, "Oh, no Aidyl, maybe next time." Then I told Fred and then I told my kids. Then all the deadlines started to happen. I just did it. Like I went to my robot mode. I wrote a list. It's on my computer. Do this, do this, do this, do this, set up my science. This is the opportunity. What do I need to do, not only to prepare myself physically, mentally, and all that to get there?
[12:10] I'm going to live this experience, this adventure going from... LAX all the way to Bordeaux. I kept on recording for myself and remembering who needs to be here that I need to acknowledge. So I took Mami, I also took my husband's mom's ashes with me. I brought a picture of my family. I brought a picture of my lab that I work in. Like I brought everything that I could think of and the science. I'm like, okay, this is my community. When I landed, and got to meet the rest of the cohort. It's like even though they come from all parts of the world, different levels of their life and different experiences that brought them there, which needs to be heard, which needs to be honored, which needs to be celebrated.
[12:51] And we started talking to each other, saying, how are you going to use this opportunity? They were already thinking, how am I going to move this forward? And I hope it communicates like if you need access to me or any of the cohorts just email us and we show you the path or we know we know we know a way for you to get there.
[12:59] Host: You were unified in purpose and now you are in France and you have met amazing people with a common goal. How was the training, the preparation, and then the day of the event. How was that
[13:27] Dr. G: When we got together, the training was a lot of discussion, what our body will feel. What we can and can't do on our section of the zero G flight and who is there with us, acknowledging the other individuals present. What are their journeys? So we listen to individuals from NASA, ESA, that's research, inspiration, the space sector. Then the other passengers involved, they were also in industry and in technology.
[14:01] Then it was us how we were communicating in different ways, but for that common goal towards action. When we were discussing and understanding what will happen to our bodies, what we're going to experience, when to take the medications, if you decide to take the medications. Everybody started at the same level of expertise. Then we got our suits, which were cool. We got our cool hats. We ate some wonderful foods. They prepared us for the flight. They gave us GoPros to record our experiences. And it was all awesome that all of us just sat together and like, we're going to experience this for the first time. And then we lie down, we have to focus on one spot. Because if we kept on looking around when we were hitting those high Gs — it was about 1.8 — we could get sick.
[14:47] And once the plane went down, everybody had the same faces.
[14:53] Host: Tell us about the trajectory of the plane. How do you achieve Zero-G?
[14:58] Dr. G: So we go through several rounds of parabolic. I think we hit 17 or 18. The plane will pull up somewhat vertically, reaching either between 1.8 to 2.0 gravitational pulls. So you're [pulled] back, like, you know, a nice facelift look. And then once it hits the pinnacle, it will drop down.
[15:19] And depending on how fast it falls or drops, that's why we lift. Technically, we're falling. And it's a physics problem, too, right? So the big object is falling, and everything inside the plane will float up because we're also falling. That's the zero-G sensation. And they're able to give us a different experience by how fast that plane will fall. So we had three types of experiences. We have the zero G. We have the lunar experience that we were able to bounce. And that's when Charlie Duke says, this is how I felt like right before I fell back. You know, you definitely see that video of Charlie Duke, when he tried to jump, like, a leap jump, and he fell back, and he's like, "This is how it feels — this is how it feels like you're in the ISS."
[16:12] And then you do that several times. It's only 20 seconds, give or take two, three seconds of that sensation and when you fall, so when it pulls up from the bottom. So you're at the bottom parabolic. It's a big smack on the floor. You’ll notice gravity really fast when it's pulling back up again. We do that several times. And there were some bruises obtained, because in the first one, you don't understand when you fall, you fall. But it was a lovely experience and your body was able to adapt and get ready for the next.
[16:44] But I know for those 20 seconds when I had the experience, the first thing I was — okay, if I prepare my research, like, really quickly, how fast can I annotate my worms? I was in that mode. You see me in the corner going, practicing, because some of these planes, they have areas for experiments. So you have to plan how you're going to do it, knowing what's going to happen. I just wanted to take the opportunity to demonstrate that I'm ready, willing, and able, and that I have a whole family history that are depending on me, I feel, to solve this disease, Alzheimer's, that is creeping throughout my family that if I have the opportunity, I'm ready to go, that they see me.
[17:31] As an asset who could carry that extra torch to solve real world problems and bring it back.
[17:38] Host: A disease that is going to affect us directly or indirectly.
[17:42] Dr. G: Yes. And I know I'm just using that broad term, Alzheimer's — it's that dementia effect. And my family is Alzheimer's, but it's not the traditional. Is it epigenetic? Is it not? That's like a different story to talk about with. Everyone involved, to see what are facts. Are we being biased the way we're interpreting results?
[17:55] Scientists love to share everything because they want to make sure we are always on the right track. That's the research and that's the importance that you're taking notes, you're making observations, you're going to see how can this be applied or adjusted in situations like this because of something that we all know, which is Alzheimer's and things related to dementia and other things. And then you are out there with your cohort, everybody is doing different things, experiencing how your body react to it.
[18:28] Host: When it's done. And you're looking at each other. And you're still in this place. What is going through your mind?
[18:35] Dr. G: We did it! We did it! We know how it feels. We can actually say "Lunar, zero, and Martian." At the same time, it's like, but this is just the beginning. We already started to strategize, and how to make sure what we did is not exclusive, but it's your turn now. It's just — this is how you get there.
[18:52] Host: Yes, and that's something I want to ask you about this particular program. And it's called Space for Humanity. And it's a nonprofit. Can you tell us a little bit more about it and how that opportunity was available for you and for other individuals?
[19:12] Dr. G: Space for humanity is a nonprofit to really see that humanity goes beyond the stars. And that everyone has a purpose in space but not forget about Earth. And they're looking for innovators, a leader in humanity in whatever aspect you're in, from communication, from art, science, to swimming, and how are you going to communicate, how space can influence your community, your efforts. And how it will pay it forward to strengthen not only humanity but this planet.
[19:45] You've got to be in it to win it, but you have to have a purpose. How are you going to utilize it? Why you know this is a resource? Why you know this is a step towards your ultimate goal? And how you're going to bring your community with you? I'm excited to see how I take you and how I take everybody else working with everybody. To really make this a tangible, better place. Education for all, it's knowledge, knowledge is power. How to be critical thinkers.
[20:13] Host: I'm going to include more information about the website. They have an amazing website. It's very user-friendly. You get all the information there from the training to the selection process. The application is there about who they are looking for. And like you say, why do you want to be a part of this? The why is so important because what are you going to do after this? Every time I go on a plane, I look down and I see everything in a different perspective and helps me recalibrate, reframe my point of view. And that's why I love traveling. In your case, were you able to look at Earth?
[20:37] Dr. G: So in the body of the plane, there was no windows, but when we were seated, we had a view and we went pretty high up. That was really different than an airplane. And I was thinking to myself, I'm like, appreciate this movement, what you're feeling, what you work through. Remember?
[21:08] and I was like, I'm actually further away than ever from the Bronx, from the apartment, from like touching the ground, from that point. To where I am now, pretty soon I'm going to see the whole world. I was like, gratitude. I'm glad that I was persistent and knew what I needed, not what people thought I needed, and that I didn't succumb to some dialogue. I think that was the beauty. I can't wait till it's my turn to see the whole thing. I was higher than normal, but I was still under the dome of Earth.
[21:46] Yes, we know we went through this experience, but... We're not taking this charge by ourselves. We know this is literally all of us talking about each other, how we could lift others up or. If I can't help you there, but I know who can because I don't have the resources. So that was one thing that I knew and that we talked as a team. This is... Community support system, developing a stronger platform foundation for others, as well as a platform for others to fly. And I know I'm at that position of lifting and just transporting others to be way better than I am.
[22:20] them to know that I fought for them to have all this in my own special way.
[22:26] Host: Yes, and that's why I admire you because you're always thinking about how can I make it better for those coming after me? How can I make it better for people who might not think that they can and I can show a way that yes, you could let's work together and see how to figure it out. And when they see you and they see your history and then they see what you're doing today. And this is important idea. Hoy mismo lo que acabas de hacer, hace unas semanas atrás. Mira, ella estaba ahí. (Today, what you just did, a few weeks ago. Look, she was there.) And that's why it's so important, the diversity in that group. And I learn about that diversity. And you learn about them. And they learn from you as much as you learn from them.
[23:08] Dr. G: And that's the beauty and nature tells us that. Like when I lived in the cave. When I lived in the cave, you have a community — biomats. And it's not one, it's not fungus only, it's not only bacteria, it was bacteria, archaea, fungal, maybe some yeast, some eukaryotes. They were working in the community while I was living in that lava tube. To survive and thrive, to make an environment that they were not competing, but they were assisting one another to live in there and to make the environment, I mean.
[23:40] these single cell or simple organisms that were around me was teaching me, demonstrating. That there was no competition going on. We were helping each other out and that diversity compensated for the other. It's when someone says, "Oh, that's swampy," or "drain the swamp," or anything like that. Those aquifers. That's where life is. Different forms of life. Basically complementing one another in order for them to thrive. While one is releasing CO2, the other one is breathing in the CO2 to make sugars and oxygen. And when someone says drain the swamp, or we need to sterilize, you want to homogenize — that's a true way to make something extinct.
[24:21] Host: Yes, and to see in a linear way, how everything that you're doing, which is phenomenal. Is helping move forward the research to find a cure for Alzheimer's.
[24:33] Dr. G: Yes, because that's my ultimate goal. I'm taking environmental factors as well as preconditions. You may have a genetic precursor for certain diseases, but doesn't mean that you're going to have the disease. You just have the gene. Other things regulate gene expression, and we're learning that now, like in the past five years, having the gene doesn't mean you're going to confer the disorder or the protein will be turned up.
[24:57] Host: Everything that you do and everything that you're doing the goal is to continue doing the research and finding ways to find a cure, to find a solution, to find answers for—
[25:03] Dr. G: To find answers, yes. Because can it be as simple as a drug or changing the environment of the individual? Maybe just an environment can make. A drug more effective for individuals, since there's an uptick in dementia, Alzheimer's symptoms, even down to Parkinson's. Is it environmental factors, epigenetic? Is it the food that we eating? Could that be the reason why there's an uptick?
[25:37] Is it just because now we're reporting it more? We could go into the molecular genetic level. Did they have a precursor? Did they not? There are so many factors out there, we need more hands on deck. So I'm just taking these two roots. I need other people to vet me and make sure I'm not being biased with my results. And I want to use this new laboratory in a different environment without gravity influencing or stressing our body because maybe we can either prolong, remediate, or have our loved ones a little longer.
[26:12] Because remember, when you have Alzheimer's, there's two deaths. The first one is when Mami didn't know who I was and then the physical death. That's so horrible for the individual who was afflicted, but for the whole family — it affects the family, and therefore the community, and it has a long-lasting effect on society in general.
[26:33] Host: From Dr. G to Zero-G, it is an honor to have you here. Keep doing what you're doing because we need you and we need many people that join you in your journey. You're joining me, right?
[26:51] Dr. G: I am here.
[26:52] Host: Y por ponerte disponible, por hacerte disponible para tener estas experiencias. Porque si no aplicas, si no te pones ahí, estas experiencias no te pueden decir que sí. Así que gracias por tomar este paso y la acción para hacer lo que haces. Muchas gracias y hasta pronto. (And for making yourself available to have these experiences. Because if you don't apply, if you don't put yourself out there, these experiences can't say yes to you. So thank you for taking the step and the action to do what you do. Thank you very much, and see you soon.)
[27:20] Host: Thank you for sharing this message, for being part of this journey, of this community. Thank you for listening, and like, leave a comment, and subscribe. Follow us, because, like I always say, life is better when we live it at 100.