Experience

Translational Research Institute for Space Health

• United States
• Wellness and Fitness Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Scientific Officer

  • Feb 2022 - Present



Sophic Synergistics LLC

• United States
• Design Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Applied Health and Extreme Environments

  • Jan 2021 - Present



NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

• United States
• Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• NASA Human Research Program Chief Scientist

  • Nov 2017 - Jan 2021

  As HRP Chief Scientist, my ultimate responsibility is to set the scientific agenda for the NASA Human Research Program (HRP). The scientific agenda and supporting portfolio of HRP research is developed collaboratively with HRP Element Scientists and external advisors and designed to address the diverse human system risks that need to be characterized and mitigated to enable human exploration of space. This role requires extensive communication and collaboration with a variety of stakeholders including current flight programs, international partners, as well as developmental spaceflight programs that will be implementing risk reduction strategies based on HRP-developed evidence base and risk mitigation strategies. In addition, I establish and maintain relationships and collaborations with external institutions and other government agencies to assess fundamental mechanistic discoveries, as well as cutting edge prevention and treatment strategies. This function allows me to bring forward to the HRP Management and Scientists a variety of technologies, procedures, or methodologies for infusion into our current portfolio. Another fundamental responsibility is engaging the public. I do several in-person or virtual speaking events each month. Some have been on nationally syndicated shows but most are to groups of students and professionals in academic settings. It is truly a joy and honor to engage in STEAM activities and to be able to convey the powerful message of scientific process and ow it impacts our lives. Show less

• NASA Human Research Program Deputy Chief Scientist

  • Sep 2015 - Nov 2017

  As Human Research Program (HRP) Deputy Chief Scientist, I am a key member of the HRP senior management team. In support of the HRP Chief Scientist, I am responsible for the development and execution of the Integrated Research Plan ensuring a balanced portfolio of research across the functional components of the Program and designed to reduce the human system risks associated with human space exploration. I also guide science policies and recommend innovative research and technology investment strategies to achieve Program goals. In support of these responsibilities, I have various duties such as the coordination of input to external reviews of scientific content including peer review of individual proposals and National Academy reviews of overall Programmatic content; preparation and release of scientific solicitations design to execute the integrated research plan and coordinate reviews of submitted proposals; facilitating access to research and medical data and collections for HRP researchers; advising the Chief Scientist and Program Manager on the scientific value of newly proposed or reduced content; and representing the Program science (in the Chief Scientist's absence) to the Agency's Chief Scientist, other Agency Program and Center Chief Scientists, to domestic and international partner scientists, to scientific society members, scientists, students, the general public, and the press. Show less

• NASA - Clinical Translational Scientist

  • Apr 2012 - Sep 2015

  As the Space and Clinical Operations Translational Scientist, I act as a human health and performance professional that focuses on providing integrated scientific and operational support to NASA physicians, researchers, Program Managers, Program and project engineers, the Astronaut Office, and flight Programs. In this role, I work with a variety of human spaceflight experts to identify crew medical and performance issues. Subsequently, I identifed current relevant requirements, acquire data and evidence relevant to the issue and the vehicle, perform analysis, and provide an integrated approach to the Space and Clinical Operations Division with the objective of obtaining a consensus position on medical risk with rationale while identifying gaps and required research. Additional integration activities include facilitating communication and knowledge sharing including data, evidence, and aerospace medicine positions with a diverse customer base such as Program and project engineers and managers, internal and external scientists, and internal and external healthcare providers. In this role, I also facilitate the transition to operations (TtO) process by identifying innovative solutions or research and development encompassing technologies or methodologies to address crew medical and performance issues. I also act as a liaison to the NASA Human Research Program to identify crew health, performance or operational issues that require research and to facilitate communication between HRP and the Space Clinical Operations Division. This is accomplished by leading multidisciplinary working groups to develop products and positions for the appropriate program. This has included the development of the Visual Impairment and Intracranial Pressure project which is an integrated approach between operations and research to address clinical, occupational surveillance, and research objectives with limited resources and accelerated schedule. Show less

• Space Life Sciences Innovation Lead

  • Dec 2009 - Apr 2012

  As the Open Collaboration and Innovation Manager I am responsible for all open collaboration and innovation work for the Space Life Sciences Directorate (SLSD), and as the liaison to other NASA Centers, NASA HQ, and external organizations for open collaboration and innovation work. Develop key interfaces through the NASA Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation with other NASA Centers, NASA HQ, and external organizations to develop technical content, contracts and agreements for open innovation. Develop metrics in collaboration with the NASA Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation for open collaboration techniques. Develops and implements an open collaboration and innovation plan that addresses key risk mitigation needs for all human health and performance risks. This includes accelerated research models, use of open innovation platforms, and other open techniques Develop and manage contract mechanisms to implement this plan including identifying budget, staffing, and facilities requirementsConducts, analyzes and implements open innovation challenges along with the technical workforce of the SLSD to mitigate human health and performance risks including opportunities developed through integrated project teams Implements a decision framework through the integrated project teams that effectively assesses open and traditional problem solving techniques to mitigate risk Serves as the liaison to the JSC Chief Technology Officer and other JSC Directorates for the development and implementation of open techniques for JSC Serves as the liaison to external organizations for the development and implementation of open techniques including accelerated research models, the use of open innovation platforms to offer prizes in collaboration with other federal agencies and through public–private partnerships Show less

• Space Medicine Constellation Integration Lead

  • Mar 2009 - Dec 2009

• Health & Medical Technical Authority Coordinator

  • Mar 2007 - Dec 2009

  Primary responsibility is to implement Health and Medical Technical Authority (HMTA) at Johnson Space Center (JSC) according to the NASA Governance model and Johnson Space Center HMTA implementation plan. Duties include: development of HMTA documents in accordance and collaboration with NASA HQ Office of the Chief Health and Medical Officer (OCHMO); document and track HMTA issues identified by SLSD SMEs and HMTA Delegates for review by the JSC Chief Medical Office (CMO) and OCHMO; prepare quarterly presentations for the OCHMO which review activities, hardware development, and issues regarding compliance with human system standards and requirements by Constellation, Shuttle, and International Space Station Programs and Projects; develop JSC HMTA positions on program and project key decision points for presentation at Center and Integrated Center Management Councils (CMC; ICMC) which evaluate the performance of a program or project; track, document, and report all waivers, deviations, or requirements’ tailoring, resulting actions, and forward work to SLSD management and CMO and prepare for potential escalation to a higher level authority for concurrence or further action; and develop and coordinate HMTA budget to optimize civil servant expertise and contractor support so that it will be in line with human system integration needs and support independent analysis of issues identified during the design or operational phase of a space flight program. Show less



University of Texas Medical Branch Dept of Preventive Medicine and Community Health

• Adjunct Assistant Professor

  • Oct 2006 - Sep 2014



NASA Johnson Space Center

• Human System Risk Management Coordinator

  • Feb 2006 - Mar 2007



Wyle Laboratories

• Cardiovascular Discipline Scientist

  • Apr 2004 - Feb 2006

  Human Adaptation and Countermeasure Office Human Adaptation and Countermeasure Office



Department of Medical Physiology and Cardiovascular Research Institute

• Assistant Researcher/Scientist

  • Jan 2003 - Feb 2003

  Evaluation of physiological effects of zero gravity FRESH Project STS-107; Michael D. Delp Primary Investigator Evaluation of physiological effects of zero gravity FRESH Project STS-107; Michael D. Delp Primary Investigator



Richard Stockton College of NJ

• Higher Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Environmental Safety Clerk

  • Sep 1996 - Jul 1997



AET Environmental

• Industrial Hygiene Technician

  • Jun 1995 - Aug 1996