Bioastronautics Research Group

University of Colorado Aerospace Engineering Sciences

This specialty area of Aerospace Engineering encompasses biological, behavioral and medical aspects governing humans and other living organisms in a space flight environment; and includes design of payloads, spacesuits, spacecraft habitats and life support systems. In short, it spans the study and support of life in space.

Current Students – Thesis, Research & Project Summaries and Summary of Student Awards

Kevin Higdon, PhD Candidate	Human Spacecraft Systems Engineering Kevin received his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University (1996) and his Master’s of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville (2005). His graduate-level research involved the development of a numerical analysis program for NASA Marshall Space Flight Center which predicted the thrust and side loads of differentially throttled liquid plug nozzle engines in a very quick timeframe when compared to conventional CFD programs. While pursuing his Master’s degree, he also supported the US Army’s Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) program as a Propulsion Systems Engineer. He developed and continues to support the Boost Motor Analysis Program (BMAP) which is used by the US Army for reduction of solid rocket motor flight test data from White Sands Missile Range. Although his graduate research and work experience has been in the field of missile and space propulsion, his primary focus at CU is in human spacecraft design. Kevin is currently completing his PhD thesis research combining various applications of systems engineering, computational modeling and human factors analysis for conceptual human spacecraft design. PhD Thesis Advisor: Dr. David Klaus Research Funding: NASA GSRP Fellowship, 2006/07, William F. Marlar Memorial Trust last updated June 2011
Jennifer Mindock, PhD Candidate	Human Spacecraft Safety and Reliability Jennifer Mindock is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering Sciences at the University of Colorado, Boulder, within the Department’s Bioastronautics focus area. She holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Florida and an M.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University. Jennifer began her doctoral studies in January of 2009. Her thesis plans involve developing a function-based, Probabilistic Risk Assessment methodology for characterizing spacecraft conceptual design trade space. The research is based on analysis of system-level risk factors to define mitigation design strategies. Until December 2008, her primary industry experience was as a Senior System Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). In her 8 years with JPL, she led teams spanning multiple NASA centers and various disciplines on projects ranging from high-level customer requirements and capability definition to low-level, detailed hardware testing and vehicle performance analysis. In these roles, she contributed to projects including the Autonomous Landing and Hazard Avoidance Technology (ALHAT) evaluating various sensors and algorithms for landing humans and equipment on the moon, the Mars Phoenix Lander, the Mars Exploration Rovers, and the Space Interferometry Mission. Jennifer is now extending her professional career toward human space flight applications. PhD Thesis Advisor: Dr. David Klaus Research Funding: NASA GSRP Fellowship, 2009-present, ARCS Scholar, Zonta Amelia Earhart Fellowship Additional Info: NASA Astronaut Candidate Finalist, 2009 last updated December 2010
Ben Kemper, MS Student	Human Spacecraft Safety and Operability Ben received his Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Colorado and his commission into the Air Force in 2010. While waiting to go to pilot training, he completed initial coursework for his Master’s of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering also at the University of Colorado and plans to continue through CAETE. Ben's graduate research revolved around different facets of the Dream Chaser human spacecraft beginning with the development of a software tool to determine and evaluate the placement of components internal to the vehicle's pressurized volume. In 2010, he was part of a research team to develop a human rating plan for the Dream Chaser and the systems engineer on a separate effort to design a cockpit architecture for the vehicle. As an undergraduate, Ben was a project manager or a team lead for half a dozen diverse student projects and spent 2 summers interning for Lockheed Martin. Ben's goal is to attend test pilot school and extend his professional career toward human space flight applications after retiring from the Air Force. MS Advisor: Dr. David Klaus Research Funding: Sierra Nevada Corp, under NASA CCDev Contract last updated December 2010
Christine Fanchiang, PhD Student	Human Spacecraft Safety and Operability Christine Fanchiang received her Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering from MIT and is currently enrolled in the Master’s Degree program in the Aerospace Department at the University of Colorado at Boulder with an emphasis in Bioastronautics. Her research focuses on defining an operability index for human-rating space vehicles. Her other interests include researching new technologies for regenerative life support systems, and developing a long-term lunar outpost. Before starting her Master’s program she worked at Northrop Grumman for three years as a Systems Engineer helping their systems integration team on the next generation polar-orbiting weather satellite, NPOESS. She is now a Research Assistant with BioServe Space Technologies at the University of Colorado assembling hardware for payloads on the Space Shuttle and the ISS. CU Engineering article: http://ecadw.colorado.edu/engineering/news/CUE/2010/programs/caete.htm PhD Thesis Advisor: Dr. David Klaus Research Funding: BioServe Space Technologies, FAA Center of Excellence for Commercial Space Transportation last updated June 2011
Luis Zea, PhD Student	Human Spacecraft Habitability / Cockpit Design Luis Zea began pursuing his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering with emphasis in Bioastronautics at CU Boulder in the Fall of 2010. He started his career with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala. He then worked at ExxonMobil for two years, where among other duties was Security Team Lead, overseeing 21 engineers. He studied German in Munich in 2006 and later that year started a M.S. in Aerospace Engineering – Thermofluids Track – at the University of Central Florida. There, Luis was involved with the design and manufacture of a picosatelite that won 1st place in the Florida University Satellite program as well as with the Mars Desert Research Station, where he was an engineer for Crew 65. He also conducted research at the Florida Space Institute on gas kinetics on multi-phase flow. After graduation, he continued working for UCF as a Research Project Manager on a CO2 Removal Project. He then worked at Siemens Energy Inc. as a Heat Transfer Engineer, leading a multinational team of engineers in the design and construction of a new type of heat exchanger. Luis is a certified Life Guard, scuba diver and aside of English, is fluent in German, Spanish and Portuguese and has a basic knowledge of French. Luis has been preselected to live and conduct research underwater at the Atlantica Expedition off the coast of Florida in 2012. PhD Thesis Advisers: Dr. David Klaus and Dr. Louis Stodieck Research Funding: Petrobras 2006-08, BioServe Space Technologies, 2010 Additional Info: http://underseacolony.com/core/bio_luiszea.html; http://desert.marssociety.org/mdrs/fs07/crew65/; http://www.intl.ucf.edu/index.cfm?PageID=226 last updated December 2010
Robert Ocampo, PhD Student	Human Spacecraft Safety and Operability Robert Ocampo received his undergraduate degree from Haverford College, where he majored in Biology and Psychology. While at Haverford, Robert earned his EMT certification and competed in cross-country and track and field. He also served as an intern with NASA’s Spaceflight and Life Sciences Training Program, studying Arabidopsis growth in simulated spaceflight environments. In 2004, Robert began work as a Research Technologist at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, where he studied the effects of motion experience on human vestibular function. This topic later became the focus of his master’s thesis in Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT. During his time at MIT, Robert earned his private pilot’s license, and served as vice president and president of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology Student Association. After graduating from MIT, Robert began training as an Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) mechanic, earning both FAA ratings in 2010. He also began diving professionally as a PADI-certified Divemaster. Additionally, Robert continued to pursue his education in emergency medicine, becoming an Emergency First Response Instructor, Rescue Diver, and Wilderness EMT in 2009. Robert finds great joy in exploring the world. He’s both walked and bicycled across the country (thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2004 and riding his bike from Boston to San Francisco in 2008), and summited over 250 peaks, including 21 mountains over 14,000’. Robert began his PhD studies at CU in July 2011 and is exploring a thesis topic involving Spacecraft Human Rating. PhD Thesis Advisor: Dr. David Klaus Research Funding: Sierra Nevada Corporation, under NASA CCDev2 Contract last updated July 2011
Sarah Over, MS Student	Spacecraft Cockpit Design and Human-Vehicle Interactions Sarah Over completed her undergraduate studies in Aerospace Engineering from Virginia Tech and is currently pursuing her M.S. in Aerospace Engineering with a Bioastronautics emphasis at CU Boulder.  Her research focuses on cockpit development for air and space vehicles, defining research needs driven by vehicle design and human-vehicle interaction.  She also has research interests in aerospace medicine, specifically human factors, accident prevention, and radiation effects and mitigation.  She has held internships with NASA Glenn Research Center focusing on digital modeling of human physiology and applying sun sensors to manned lunar exploration.  Sarah's goal is to continue her studies working toward a professional career in academia, teaching and conducting research in aerospace medicine. MS Advisor: Dr. David Klaus Research Funding: William F. Marlar Memorial Trust Summer 2011, AAUW Selected Professions Fellowship 2011/12 last updated July 2011
Jonas Schnaitmann	Verification and enhancement of an environmentally sensitive human physiological model Jonas Schnaitmann is studying aerospace engineering at the Technical University in Munich (TUM). He is currently working on his diploma (Master’s) thesis at CU in Boulder during the fall 2011 term, where he further integrates the different sub-models of a human physiological model used within a life support system simulation project called "Virtual Habitat" (V-HAB) at TUM, and subsequently verifies and further enhances the model. His overall interest lies in life support system simulations with focus on the human physiology, physical/chemical subsystems and control strategies. In 2010, he spent four months in Japan as an intern at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in Tokyo, working on the modeling and simulation of air revitalization systems, particularly a two bed molecular sieve. Practicum Supervisor: Dr. David Klaus MS Advisor: Dr. Ulrich Walter Research Funding: German Fellowship Dipl Ing Aerospace, TUM 2012 last updated December 2011
Prior Bioastronautics Students (since 2002)
	Dream Chaser Graduate Projects Team (Fall 2011) Project Focus: Spacecraft cockpit Displays and Controls design and layout Team photo with SNC and CU advisors Project Advisors: Merri Sanchez, and NASA Astronauts Jim Voss, Joe Tanner and Steve Lindsey Project Funding: William F. Marlar Memorial Trust and Sierra Nevada Corporation last updated December 2011
	Dream Chaser Graduate Projects Team (Spring 2011) Project Focus: Spacecraft cockpit design functionality and human factors evaluation. Team photo with SNC and CU advisors Project Advisors: Merri Sanchez, Jim Voss, Joe Tanner (not pictured here) and Prof Klaus Project Funding: William F. Marlar Memorial Trust and Sierra Nevada Corporation last updated May 2011
Chad Healy	Human Spacecraft Safety and Operability Chad Healy is an Ensign in the United States Navy working towards his Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering Sciences at the University of Colorado at Boulder. His studies are focused in the field of Bioastronautics, revolving around the development and design of Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Dream Chaser Spacecraft. He helped to draft a Human Rating Plan for the vehicle, and was project manager for a team designing its displays and controls layout.  In addition, Chad has worked on developing a methodology for evaluating internal configurations of human-rated spacecraft, specifically tailored to the Dream Chaser, and was a Research Assistant for BioServe Space Technologies.  Prior to his time in Boulder, Chad graduated from the United States Naval Academy (USNA) in May 2009 with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering.  He conducted research as the lead systems engineer and attitude control systems engineer for three CubeSat missions in various stages of development. Chad also worked on the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna at Goddard Space Flight Center, where he developed lock acquisition algorithms for laser stabilization cavities. After receiving his MS degree from CU, Chad returned to the fleet to begin training as a Navy pilot. MS Advisor: Dr. David Klaus Research Funding: BioServe Space Technologies; Sierra Nevada Corp, under NASA CCDev Contract MS Aero December 2010 Post Graduation: US Navy last updated December 2010
Jonathan Metts, PhD	Assessing Feasibility of Electrochromic Space Suit Radiators for Reducing Extravehicular Activity Water Consumption Jonathan received his B.S. (2004) and M.S. (2006) in Aerospace Engineering from Auburn University.  During this time, he managed a team of undergraduate students in a research project funded by Transformational Space Corporation (t/Space), in which students designed, prototyped, and tested a flexible, lightweight spacecraft seat.  He also studied the Russian language at Auburn University and received a scholarship to study the language and culture in St. Petersburg, Russia in the summer of 2003.  Jonathan's M.S. research background is in optimization of missile systems via genetic algorithms, but returned to his primary interest, human space flight, upon entering the PhD program at CU-Boulder.  His thesis topic defines and evaluates the application of variable-emissivity materials for a flexible, integrated radiator-based thermal control system in space suits. During his time at CU, Jonathan also helped build the Lunar Lander mock-up and was part of a team developing a human-rating plan for the Dream Chaser commercial space vehicle. He served as a Research Assistant for BioServe, a Teaching Assistant for ASEN 2004, Lead Graduate Teacher for the AES department, and on judication panels for the CU Honor Code. Jonathan graduated with his PhD in December 2010 and plans to continue research on human spaceflight in government or industry, with an eventual return to academia later in his career. PhD Thesis Advisor: Dr. David Klaus Research Funding: NASA GSRP Fellowship, 2007-2010; ARCS Scholar, 2008; Conference Travel by the William F. Marlar Memorial Trust; 2010, Sierra Nevada Corp, under NASA CCDev Contract, 2010 PhD Aero December 2010 Post Graduation: Sierra Nevada Corporation last updated June 2011
	Dream Chaser Graduate Projects Team (Fall 2010) Project Focus: Spacecraft cockpit design and ergonomics evaluation. Team photo with SNC and CU project advisors. Project Advisors: Merri Sanchez, Jim Voss and Joe Tanner Project Funding: William F. Marlar Memorial Trust and Sierra Nevada Corporation last updated December 2010
Ryan Kobrick, PhD	Characterization and Measurement Standardization of Lunar Dust Abrasion for Spacecraft Design and Operations Dr. Ryan L. Kobrick received his BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario (2002), his Master's of Space Studies degree from the International Space University in Strasbourg, France (2003), his Master's of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University (2005) in University Park, PA, and his PhD in Aerospace Engineering Sciences (focus: Bioastronautics) from the University of Colorado at Boulder in Boulder, CO. He worked with the X PRIZE Foundation (2003, 2004 & 2006) developing the follow-on event to the $10 million ANSARI X PRIZE called the X PRIZE Cup. Ryan participated as a crewmember in The Mars Society's Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) four times of crews 25 (2004), 44 / ExBeta (2006), 56 / ExGamma (2007) and 58 / FMARS Training (2007). From his MDRS experiences, he was selected for a 100-day Mars mission simulation in the High Canadian Arctic on Devon Island, Nunavut at the Mars Society's Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station (FMARS). On the FMARS Crew 11 Long Duration Mission (F-XI LDM), he facilitated the Human Factors studies for the crew of 7 as well as being a crew engineer. His CU-Boulder start was in the summer of 2005 researching space suit portable life support systems with Dr. Klaus on a NASA-funded project. Ryan was awarded a 2007 NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP) award. He was the recipient of the 2006 AIAA Orville and Wilbur Wright Graduate Award, a three-time Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Scholar 2006-2009, and was the Department’s 2009 John A. Vise Memorial Scholarship recipient. Ryan participated in space outreach as an alumni of the Advisory Committee for the CU-Boulder chapter of the Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (CUSEDS), and as an advisor for both SEDS Canada and Mars Society Canada's Exploration Mars (ExMars) Program. In July 2010, Ryan was named Executive Director of Yuri's Night. Homepage: www.RyInSpace.com PhD Thesis Advisor / Committee Chair: Dr. David Klaus Research Funding: NASA CRAVE DO1 (2005); BioServe Space Technologies; AIAA Orville and Wilbur Wright Graduate Award (2006); ARCS Scholar (2006), CU EEF Grant (2007), NASA GSRP Fellowship (2007-2010), Conference Travel by the William F. Marlar Memorial Trust, 2010 PhD Aero August 2010 Post Graduation: Postdoc at MIT, 2010 last updated December 2010
	Dream Chaser Graduate Projects Team (Spring 2010) Louisville Company Supports CU Aerospace Students and Faculty in Dream Chaser Development Astronauts Trade in Spaceflight for Student Contact Project Focus: Habitable volume layout volumetric mockup with mass and CG computational model. Project Advisors: Jim Voss and Joe Tanner Project Funding: William F. Marlar Memorial Trust last updated June 2010
	Dream Chaser Graduate Projects Team (Fall 2009) Astronaut Jim Voss Joins CU-Boulder Aerospace Faculty Project Focus: Habitable volume layout definition with mass and CG computational model. Project Advisors: Jim Voss and Joe Tanner Project Funding: William F. Marlar Memorial Trust last updated December 2009
Evan Thomas, PhD	Sustainable Fouling Management for Spacecraft Fluid Handling Systems Evan completed his BS/MS Aerospace Engineering at CU-Boulder in May 2006. As a cooperative education employee at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Evan worked in the Life Support and Habitability Systems Branch in the Crew and Thermal Systems Division. His MS research at CU and at NASA was in Microgravity Fire Detection, analyzing the feasibility of a Modulated Laser Analyzer for Combustion Products (MLA-CP) for the crewed spacecraft environment. Evan was also Editor-in-Chief of the Colorado Engineer Magazine, and is involved with Engineers Without Borders (EWB), leading sustainable development projects in Rwanda and Nepal. Evan founded the EWB-JSC chapter with other NASA engineers in 2004. Evan has received multiple awards from NASA and EWB for engineering development. PhD Thesis Advisor: Dr. David Klaus Research Funding: NASA JSC Fellowship, CU EEF PhD Aero Aug 2009 Post Graduation: NASA Civil Servant, Johnson Space Center, Crew and Thermal Systems 2004-10; Assistant Professor, Portland State University, 2010 last updated September 2010
Brock Kowalchuk	Prototyping the Next Generation Lunar Lander Vehicle Habitat (Spring 2009) Brock is currently pursuing a BS in Aerospace Engineering and a certificate in Engineering Entrepreneurship at the University of Colorado at Boulder, expecting to graduate in May 2011. He was involved with prototyping the Lunar Ascent Module during his sophomore year in the program. His work included developing volumetric and CAD models of subsystem hardware components for a proposed “Minimum Functionality” Lunar Ascent Module design. Currently, he works as a Command Controller at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP), operating several spacecraft, including Kepler. After completing his BS, Brock is planning to pursue an advanced engineering degree in either Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering. His interests include entrepreneurship and learning how people can better interface with technology. Project Supervisor: Dr. David Klaus and Kevin Higdon (PhD student) Funding: Dean’s Discovery Learning Apprentice 2008/09 and the William F. Marlar Memorial Trust BS Aero May 2011 last updated June 2011
Andrea Hanson, PhD	Tissue Engineering to Assess Bone and Muscle Atrophy and Radiation Exposure During Space Flight Andrea received a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of North Dakota in 2002. Her interests lie in the area of assessing bone and muscle atrophy during long duration space flight and looking at the effects of radiation exposure during space flight. She has worked with BioServe Space Technologies for the past year looking at protein inhibitors that may help atrophying muscles and has worked on an osteoprotegrin bone study. She is also working with cell cultures to study the effects of radiation on mammalian cells. PhD Thesis Advisor: Dr. Virginia Ferguson (CU Mech Eng) Research Funding: BioServe Space Technologies PhD Aero Dec 2008 Post Graduation: Postdoc at University of Washington, 2009 last updated December 2008
	Bioastronautics Research Group (Fall 2008) This group photo represents student and faculty researchers with interests ranging from the development of biomedical countermeasures against bone and muscle atrophy experienced by astronauts to design of space suit and spacecraft habitats, spanning the study and support of life in space. The team is supported by a wide range of contracts and grants from NASA and private industry. BioServe Space Technologies, a Research Center housed in the Aerospace Engineering Sciences Department since 1987, largely anchors this program. NASA Astronaut Joe Tanner (back center),who recently joined our faculty, brings a wealth of firsthand experience to the Bioastronautics Program with four shuttle flights and seven space walks to his credit. He is now helping to educate the next generation of space engineers. last updated December 2008
Ralf Purschke	Human anthropometric modeling for spacecraft design Ralf received his Diploma / MS in Aerospace Engineering from the Technische Universität München (TUM) in the Human Spaceflight Research Group. He is interested in Human Spaceflight and Satellite Design. For his MS he studied neutral body posture of astronauts in weightlessness and developed a model for predicting body posture in space. He conducted his Practicum as an International Exchange student at CU from fall 2008 through spring 2009, before returning to the TUM Institute of Astronautics under Prof. Walter. There he is working on a project which is funded by the German Space Administration in the field of Space Mechanism Design. Practicum Supervisor: Dr. David Klaus MS Advisor: Dr. Ulrich Walter Research Funding: German Fellowship MS Aerospace, TUM 2009 Post Graduation: PhD Student, TUM last updated September 2010
Kennda Lynch	Quantitative Habitability Assessment of Planetary Environments Kennda’s research interests involve elucidating environments on a planetary surface that are most likely to be habitable through an integrated predication technology that is aimed at detecting biosignatures in the local environment. This work will have the most immediate impact on future Martian in-situ investigations; however this system can be utilized in mission platforms for other astrobiology targets such as Europa, Enceladus and Titan as well. Kennda completed her MS degree from CU in the Spring of 2008 and is now continuing toward a PhD at the Colorado School of Mines. MS Advisor: Dr. David Klaus Recipient of a 2008 NASA Harriet Jenkins Predoctoral Fellowship MS Aero May 2008 Post Graduation: PhD Student, CSM last updated 8/22/08
Matthias Pfeiffer	Human metabolic model for integrated ECLSS robustness analysis Matthias received his Diplom/MS in Aerospace Engineering from Technische Universität München (TUM) in the Human Spaceflight Research Group. His interests lie in the field of human spaceflight and In-situ Resource Utilization (ISRU). For his MS thesis he developed a simulation of human metabolism for an integrated evaluation of ECLSS robustness. He conducted his Practicum as an International Exchange student at CU during the fall of 2007 and spring 2008, before returning to the TUM Institute of Astronautics under Prof. Walter. There Matthias worked on the design and development of a compact antenna pointing mechanism for small satellite. He was later offered the opportunity to conduct research for future lunar ISRU technologies and is currently funded by a German Space Administration grant to investigate possible extraction of solar wind implanted particles on the moon. Practicum Supervisor: Dr. David Klaus MS Advisor: Dr. Ulrich Walter Research Funding: German Fellowship MS Aerospace, TUM, 2008 Post Graduation: PhD Student, TUM last updated September 2010
Jan Harder	Human respiratory system model to support the design of a space habitat Jan received his Diploma / MS in Aerospace Engineering from the Technische Universität München (TUM) in the Human Spaceflight Research Group. He is interested in Human Spaceflight and Satellite Design. For his MS thesis, he developed a simulation for the human respiratory system for an integrated evaluation of ECLSS robustness.  He conducted his Practicum as an International Exchange student at CU from fall 2007 through spring 2008, before returning to the TUM Institute of Astronautics under Prof. Walter. Together with Matthias Pfeiffer and Ralf Purschke he worked on a technology development project for small satellite antenna systems for Real-Time Teleoperation in Space. Jan is also engaged in the CubeSat project MOVE which is the first Nano-Satellite of TUM. Practicum Supervisor: Dr. David Klaus MS Advisor: Dr. Ulrich Walter Research Funding: German Fellowship MS Aerospace, TUM, 2008 Post Graduation: PhD Student, TUM last updated November 2010
	Lunar Habitat Design Team (Spring and Fall 2007) This pilot MS Project course first offered in the Spring of 2007 was aimed at the following design goals and objectives: 1) analyze anticipated crew tasks (internal and extravehicular activities) to define operational requirements for the lunar surface sortie missions, 2) construct a rapidly-reconfigurable, full-scale prototype of the Lunar Habitat to assess vehicle configuration trade spaces, 3) conduct a computational mass analysis (CAD model of structure and subsystems) coupled to the mockup dimensions aimed at minimizing ascent stage mass, and 4) host local K-12 and public outreach events showcasing the ‘life size’ spacecraft mockup, complete with spacesuit demonstrations. Ten students participated in the inaugural project, 7 of whom took jobs working on the development of NASA’s new Crew Exploration Vehicle, Orion, and next generation spacesuit for lunar exploration. Project Webpage: http://www.colorado.edu/LunarMARS/ Project Advisor: Dr. David Klaus Project Funding: CU Engineering Excellence Fund and the William F. Marlar Memorial Trust last updated 11/2/07
Farres Ahmed	Assessing the Role of Gravity on Biological-Physical Interface Phenomena Governing Bacterial Growth Farres’ research as an undergraduate at the University of Colorado at Boulder in MCD Biology focused on the temperature dependent growth and sedimentation characteristics of E. coli. In the future, he hopes to use this research to help better define E. coli growth patterns in simulated microgravity. Research Advisor: Dr. David Klaus Project Funding: SURE, 2004; BURST, 2005/06, UROP Summer 2006 BS MCD Biology May 2007 Post Graduation: Medical School, CU Health Sciences last updated 8/22/08
Dan Baca	Lunar Surface Access Module: Design Analysis and Mockup Development (Fall 2006) Dan completed his BA in Physics and Astronomy at the University of Montana, Missoula in May 2003. He simultaneously completed another BA in Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science. He continued working in his management position for CRS Hardware Corporation until he enrolled in the Aerospace Engineering Master's program at the University of Colorado in 2005. As a Research Assistant in the NASA Academy, Dan worked in the optics branch of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center on modeling the far field phase patterns of the future Laser Interferometer Space Antenna. He is currently serving as Vice President for the CU chapter of Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (CUSEDS). Dan is also with working Dr. Klaus on a new project involving the construction and analysis of a Lunar Surface Access Module (LSAM) prototype. This will help better define the requirements of the future spacecraft and create a laboratory component for the graduate Bioastronautics courses offered at CU. MS Aero May 2007 Funding: William F. Marlar Memorial Trust Post Graduation: Lockheed Martin last updated 5/30/07
Anna Stanczyk	Evaluating the Effects of Antibiotics on Bacterial Motility Anna is an undergraduate student at the University of Michigan campus in Flint who spent the summer of 2006 at CU Boulder as a research intern. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, with a concentration in Biochemistry through the Honors Scholar Program at U of M Flint. Her research is focusing on validating a protocol for assessing E. coli motility, as well as testing motility in the presence of antibiotics to attempt to resolve data that conflicts with the hypothesized model of how microorganisms respond to a microgravity environment. In the future, Anna will use this research as the basis of her Senior Honors Thesis, and she is continuing the motility studies at her home campus. Research and Honors Thesis Advisor:  Dr. David Klaus Project Funding: University of Michigan-Flint Honors Scholar Program last updated 9/6/06
Vanessa Aponte, PhD	MEMS Biosensor Technology for Monitoring Astronaut Immune Response Vanessa obtained her BS and MS Degrees in Chemical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (12/96 & 6/00). As an undergraduate she participated in a variety of research projects ranging from analysis of chemical engineering processes using computer modeling at Carnegie Mellon University to studying electrophoretic aggregation of latex particles as an intern at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She first had the opportunity to work with the space program through her graduate studies, as her research was sponsored by NASA Kennedy Space Center in the area of Advanced Life Support. She has obtained multiple research awards, published her work and is affiliated with several professional organizations including AIAA, AIChE, Tau Beta Pi and NSS. Her academic and research achievements allowed her to obtain a GEM fellowship sponsored by NASA Dryden Flight Research Center to begin pursuing doctoral studies in Aerospace Engineering Sciences at CU. Her research interests lie in the area of MEMS biosensors with a focus in Bioastronautics applications, more specifically, detection of immune system response in astronauts. PhD Thesis Advisor: Dr. David Klaus Funding: NASA GSRP, 2004 -2006 (HQ); NASA Co-op, 2003, Biological Systems Office, NASA Johnson Space Center; GEM Fellowship, 2001 Additional info: CU Press Release; 9News Interview; Hispania News, NASA Astronaut Candidate Finalist, 2009 PhD Aero August 2006 Thesis Title: Development and Analysis of a Novel Cytokine Biosensor Concept for Astronaut Immune System Monitoring Post Graduation: Lockheed Martin last updated April 2010
Steve Chappell, PhD	Planetary EVA Design and Operations Steve achieved a BS in Aerospace engineering from the University of Michigan.  He worked for several years for FAAC, Inc. and moved on to Lockheed Martin as a systems engineer and architect of ground systems for classified programs.  He then returned to graduate school, obtaining a Masters Degree in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the University of Colorado, concentrating on coursework in Bioastronautics.  Presently, Steve works part-time at the Laboratory for Atmospheric & Space Physics as the Deputy Mission Systems Engineer on the AIM Program.  As a PhD student, Steve is conducting research that will support NASA's new human exploration focus.  His thesis emphasis is on the physiological impacts and workload of human exploration in partial gravity environments, working with the locomotion laboratory of the Department of Integrative Physiology.  Specifically, his research is focused on measuring the energy expenditure associated with inertial mass in simulated partial gravity locomotion. The specific goal of this research is to better quantify life support resource needs for EVA operations and to improve guidelines for EVA system design that will help to optimize astronaut performance. Associated interests include development of novel operations concepts and equipment for planetary EVA in challenging terrain, with the overall goal of providing future human explorers a means to access scientifically significant terrain on the Moon and Mars, such as steep sedimentary slopes, while mitigating risk and dealing with contingencies.  In addition to his professional and academic pursuits, Steve has been an active member of Rocky Mountain Rescue for the last 10 years. PhD Thesis Advisor: Dr. David Klaus Research Funding: AIAA Foundation Graduate Award, 2005 Additional Info: NASA Astronaut Candidate Finalist, 2009, Member of NASA NEEMO 14 Mission, 2010 PhD Aero August 2006 Thesis Title: Analysis of Planetary Exploration Spacesuit Systems and Evaluation of a Modified Partial-Gravity Simulation Technique Post Graduation: Wyle, NASA JSC - EVA Physiology, Systems, & Performance Project (EPSP), Human Adaptation & Countermeasures last updated August 2010
James Clawson, PhD	Durability and design approaches in the use of flexible transparent polymer films for a Mars greenhouse application Jim received his Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Cincinnati. He worked as a systems engineer for the Department of Defense at GE Aircraft Engines monitoring the production of engines for the B-1, F-14, and F-16 and the development of engine components for the F/A-18E/F. He transferred to Lockheed Martin Astronautics to monitor the development of the RD-180 rocket engine for the Atlas V launch vehicle family. Concurrently, he began working on a Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Colorado. After completing his Master’s, he resigned from the DoD and continued towards a PhD with BioServe, where his work has included investigating the use of laser tweezers to study plant gravitropism, studying the antifungal response of mung bean sprouts aboard the Mir space station, and the design, construction, and operation of BioServe’s Plant Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus (PGBA) payload. His doctoral research is addressing some of the engineering challenges associated with the design of transparent inflatable structures for a Mars greenhouse application. He mentored the winning design team for the 2002 NASA Marsport Mars Deployable Greenhouse design competition. He also founded the Bioastronautical Systems Development Company, which was awarded an SBIR grant. PhD Thesis Advisor: Dr. Alex Hoehn Research Funding: NASA GSRP Fellowship, 2000-2003 (KSC); BioServe Space Technologies PhD Aero 2007 Thesis Title: Feasibility of a Mars Surface Inflatable Greenhouse: Availability of Photosynthetic Irradiance and the Durability of Transparent Polymer Films Post Graduation: Stellar Solutions, Inc. last updated 7/10/06
Heather Howard	Antibiotic Effectiveness in Altered Gravitational Environments Heather earned her BA in Biochemistry and Managerial Studies from Rice University in 1999. After graduation, she was employed as a software developer for a few years before returning to graduate school at the University of Colorado. She completed her MS in Aerospace Engineering and began working toward doctoral studies investigating how microgravity alters antibiotic effectiveness against bacteria before deciding to move on to a professional career. MS Advisor: Dr. David Klaus Research Funding: NASA GSRP Fellowship, 2004-2006 (JSC) MS Aero December 2004 Post Graduation: The Aerospace Corporation last updated 6/2/06
James Russell, PhD	Advanced Life Support System Optimization Jim’s research interests are in Human Space Mission Metrics for the selection of Advanced Life Support Technologies as an alternative to the current metric Equivalent System Mass. He participated in the Mars Society’s Mars Desert Research Station as a crewmember (MDRS Crew 27) from March 27 to April 11, 2004 (more info). In addition to his PhD research, he worked as a Research Assistant for BioServe Space Technologies on space flight payloads and on the development of a long term air treatment system for mouse space habitat. He has also supported an undergraduate research project involving biosensor applications of Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). Jim is currently a Post Doctoral Research Associate at Purdue University at the ALS NSCORT. PhD Thesis Advisor: Dr. David Klaus Research Funding: AIAA Foundation Graduate Award, 2002 and 2005; Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society ‘Grant-in-Aid of Research’ Award, 2003 PhD Aero December 2005 Thesis Title: Expanded Life-Cycle Analysis to Optimize Spacecraft Life Support System Design Post Graduation: Postdoc at Purdue University 2005-06, Lockheed Martin 2006 last updated 10/9/06
Matt Bamsey	Foundations of Mars Colonization Matt Bamsey graduated with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. He has spent a number of work terms at the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), including a sixteen-month internship, three summers with the CSA Space Science department on Devon Island with the Arthur Clarke Mars Greenhouse project, as well as working for the RADARSAT-2 program. Matt has been active in various space advocacy groups for many years and was president of Mars Society, Canada between 2003 and 2005. He is also the current student advisor to the Mars Institute Board of Advisors. Other interests of Matt's include space history with a focus on Soviet/Russian aspects and space-related political lobbying. His research interests are focused on Mars colonization and the integration of the numerous disparate disciplines that are required to establish a sustainable colony. MS Advisor: Dr. David Klaus Research Funding: NASA CRAVE DO6 Additional Info: CSA Astronaut Candidate (Final 16) 2009, CSA Astronaut Recruit Bio MS Aero December 2005 Post Graduation: Canadian Space Agency and PhD Student at the University of Guelph last updated September 2010
Mike Benoit, PhD	Characterization of Gravity-Dependent Extracellular Mass Transport Phenomena Mike received his Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from the University of New Hampshire and his Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the University of Colorado. From 1999 through 2002, he worked at BioServe Space Technologies, a NASA Research Partnership Center, as a test engineer and also as the lead microbiologist for an experiment that flew onboard the International Space Station during increment 8A. His PhD work was funded by a Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP) fellowship from NASA Glenn Research Center, where he collaborated with Dr. Emily Nelson in the Computational Microgravity Laboratory to develop numerical model techniques for characterizing the effects of weightlessness on extracellular mass transport phenomena. PhD Thesis Advisor: Dr. David Klaus Research Funding: NASA GSRP Fellowship, 2002 - 2005 (GRC NGT3-52386); CU Aerospace Department John A. Vise Award, 2003; AIAA Foundation Graduate Award, 2003 PhD Aero August 2005 Thesis Title: Responses, Applications, and Analysis of Microgravity Effects on Bacteria Post Graduation: Postdoc at Stanford University 2006-10, Codexis 2010 last updated May 2010
Hans Seelig, PhD	Non-Contact Techniques for Detection of Water Stress in Plants for Space Flight Growth Chamber Application Hans received his Bachelor’s degree in Automation Technologies at the Hochschule TuW (FH) in Dresden/Germany (06/97), concentrating on biomedical engineering. He worked for several years for the University Hospital in Dresden and for the Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Systems in Dresden, participating in various research projects involving non-contact measurement methods. In 1999 Hans came to the University of Colorado for graduate studies, obtaining his Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering Sciences in May 2001. From 1999 to 2005 Hans worked for BioServe Space Technologies as Research Assistant. He participated in the upgrade of BioServe’s space plant growth chamber (PGBA) for long term missions in controller optimization and launch preparations for an experiment that flew on the International Space Station in 2002 for about 8 weeks. Hans’ research. involved utilizing plants for advanced life support, in particular using remote sensing techniques for monitoring plant health. His dissertation focused on the development of non-contact techniques for detecting water deficit stress in plants. PhD Thesis Advisor: Dr. Alex Hoehn Research Funding: BioServe Space Technologies PhD Aero August 2005 Thesis Title: The Assessment of Water Deficit Stress in Plants using Optical Measurement Methods Post Graduation: Postdoc at NIST 2006-09, Professor at University of Dresden, Germany 2009 last updated July 2009
James Manley	Assessing the Effect of Simulated Weightlessness on a Neutrally Buoyant Strain of E. coli James received his Bachelor’s in EPO Biology and is now pursuing a career in Aerospace Medicine. His research focused on non-invasively monitoring lag phase of E. coli in simulated weightless conditions through the use of a clinostat. He also developed an optical density monitoring apparatus for use during clinorotation to aid in data collection for his research. Research Advisor: Dr. David Klaus (with Mike Benoit) Project Funding: URAP, 2003/04; UROP, 2004/05 BS EPO Biology May 2005 Post Graduation: Medical School, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD last updated May 2005
Galina Dvorkina	Characterizing the Influence of Gravity on Bacterial Sedimentation and Motility Galina is double majoring in Aerospace Engineering and EPO Biology. Her research objectives for this project are focused on measuring bacterial sedimentation rates in order to empirically determine cell density as a function of velocity, cell size and known fluid properties. Galina successfully designed and assembled a vertical video microscopy system and validated its general performance. Research Advisor: Dr. David Klaus (with Heather Howard) Project Funding: UROP, 2004/05 last updated May 2005
Ken Stroud, PhD	Mitigation of Vestibular Disturbances in Piloted Spacecraft Ken received his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1997. Upon graduation, he began working for Wyle Laboratories at the NASA Johnson Space Center in the Systems Development group, and later as a Biomedical Flight Controller (BME) working in the Mission Control Center. In August of 2000, Ken returned to the University of Colorado at Boulder, and in December of 2001 received his M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, with an emphasis on Bioastronautics. During 2002 and 2003, he worked in the Mission Operations group at BioServe Space Technologies, providing console support on the ISS 9A and 11A increments, and the STS-107 mission. Ken’s Ph.D. thesis entails the effects of weightlessness on the vestibular system. Specifically, his dissertation involved the development of countermeasures against vestibular disturbances during space flight using virtual reality and defining spacecraft design requirements. He completed a study on the prediction and prevention of motion sickness and disorientation in a microgravity-like virtual environment using 40 human test subjects at the NASA Johnson Space Center, and investigated the effect of spacecraft and cockpit design factors on the ability to safely land a piloted reentry vehicle. PhD Thesis Advisor: Dr. David Klaus Research Funding: NASA GSRP Fellowship, 2002-2005 (JSC NAG9-1438); AIAA Willy Z. Sadeh Award, 2002 PhD Aero December 2004 Thesis Title: Mitigating Vestibular Disturbances During Spaceflight Using Virtual Reality Training and Reentry Vehicle Design Guidelines Post Graduation: NASA Johnson Space Center last updated June 2005
Tom Hatfield, PhD	Quantitative Ultrasound Technology Development for Space Flight Biomedical Applications Tom obtained his BS in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1992 and his Masters degree in Industrial Engineering at the University of Houston in 1998. From 1992 to 1996 he also worked in various engineering roles for IBM, Loral, and Lockheed Martin supporting the shuttle and station programs, as well as the Mission Control Center in Houston. His MS research involved computer modeling for the Advanced Life Support program at the Johnson Space Center. These experiences led Tom to move to Colorado to pursue graduate studies at CU in 1999. In the summer of 2002, he began to work full-time on his PhD thesis under a NASA GSRP fellowship. As doctoral candidate, Tom's research focused on using ultrasound to determine cross-sectional area of limb muscle and bone, and included demonstrating the potential of ultrasound for measurements during spaceflight. PhD Thesis Advisor: Dr. David Klaus Research Funding: NASA GSRP Fellowship, 2002-2004 (JSC NAG9-1468); AIAA Foundation Graduate Award, 2003 PhD Aero December 2004 Thesis Title: Development of Novel Ultrasonic Physiological Measurement Methodologies Appropriate for Space Flight Post Graduation: Wyle Life Sciences, NASA Johnson Space Center last updated Jan 2005
Juniper Jairala	Effects of Space Flight on Sleep Juniper graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. She then worked for Universal Studios and Warner Brothers building theme parks in Japan and Spain. Her passion for space exploration returned her the U.S., where she worked at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center as a Flight Operations Engineer. Finally, realizing that her true quest was to help improve spaceflight for humans, and that she needed a graduate degree to do this, Juniper came to the CU Boulder Aerospace Engineering Sciences Bioastronautics Research Group. Her primary research interests are astronaut physiology and space medicine/countermeasures. She worked in the Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory in CU's Integrative Physiology department, putting electrodes on people's heads and watching their brainwaves while they sleep. She hopes to figure out, through the use of microgravity analogs, ways to improve how astronauts sleep in space. Research Funding: GEM Fellowship; National Institute of Health (NIH) Initiative for Minority Student Development (IMSD), 2003; NIH Fellowship, 2005 MS Aero December 2004 Post Graduation: co-op at NASA JSC spring 05; internship at Blue Origin summer 05; beginning PhD program at UCLA Fall 05, X-Prize Foundation, SpaceX, Andrews Space, Jacobs Engineering at NASA JSC last updated October 2008
Jackson Lee	Hydrogen Recovery from Spacecraft Biomass Waste Jackson received a BSME in mechanical engineering from Rice University in 2002. His interests are in the area of Advanced Life Support (ALS) for manned spacecraft, in particular, the applications of environmental microbiology and biotechnology in ALS. He has worked previously with BioServe Space Technologies and Lockheed-Martin in manned spaceflight and ALS activities. His thesis involved an experiment examining the use of photoheterotrophic bacteria in a photofermentation hydrogen production scheme for a mars/ lunar base for his MS thesis. This project was jointly supported by researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado. MS Thesis Advisor: Dr. David Klaus Research Funding: NASA GSRP Fellowship, 2003-2004 (JSC NAG9-1555); Beverly Sears Graduate Student Grant, 2004; NSF EAPSI Fellowship to Japan, 2004 MS Aero August 2004 Thesis Title: Characterization of the Effect of Butyrate on Hydrogen Production in Biophotolysis for use in Martian Resource Recovery Post Graduation: Served as a member of the Peace Corps in the Philippines, PhD student at CSM last updated August 2007
Markus Czupalla, PhD	Spacecraft Advanced Life Support Systems Markus received his Diplom (FH)/BS in Aerospace Engineering from the Aachen University of Applied Sciences (AcUAS). As an undergraduate he dealt mainly with the mechanical design, analyses and optimization of lightweight structures. Being interested in human spaceflight Markus continued his education in 2002 in the Bioastonautics program at CU, where he completed his MS in 2003 (see Funnel Article, p.30). At CU Markus developed an interest in Life Support Systems (LSS) being part of the ASEN 5116 Spacecraft Life Support Systems focusing on the conceptual design of physio/chemical LSS. Markus continued his research investigating bioregenerative LSS from 2003 to 2004 at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Cologne. He conducted further LSS research as member of the Project Boreas team where he was responsible for the conceptual design of a Mars North Pole LSS. The Project Boreas report was shortlisted for the 2007 Sir Arthur Clarke Award in the category of "Best Written Presentation". Having explored the state of the art static LSS design approaches, Markus decided to pursue a PhD at the Technische Universität München (TUM) Human Spaceflight Research Group. His PhD research topic is the integrated and dynamic LSS design. For this purpose he is developing a simulation called the Virtual Habitat (V-HAB) which aims at the depiction of transient LSS parameters to allow increased robustness in the early studies of static LSS designs. . MS Advisor: Dr. David Klaus Research Funding (while at CU): Fulbright Scholarship Additional info: Aachen University of Applied Sciences Highest Honors - Best of Class, 2004; Finalist in the 2009 ESA Astronaut Selection MS Aero CU, 2003 PhD TUM, 2011 Post Graduation: Employed since 2004 with Kayser-Threde as a structural and thermal systems engineer for space applications Dipl.Ing (FH) AcUAS - August 2004 - Advisor: Dr. Gerda Horneck PhD Advisor: Dr. Ulrich Walter, TUM last updated December 2011

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