|
Ryan
Kobrick, PhD Candidate
|
Spacesuit Lunar
Dust Abrasion Characterization
Ryan
received his Bachelor’s 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), and his
Master’s of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from The Pennsylvania
State University (2005). He has worked with the X PRIZE Foundation developing
the follow-on event to the $10 million ANSARI X PRIZE called the X PRIZE Cup,
which will bring competing spaceship builders to New Mexico annually to
compete in different flight categories. Ryan participated as a crewmember in
the Mars Society’s Mars Desert Research Station as the Health
& Safety Officer on Crew 25 (2004), as Executive Officer of Crew
44 / ExBeta (2006), and will return as Commander of Crew 56 / ExGamma
(2007). His CU-Boulder start was in the summer of 2005 researching portable
life support systems (spacesuits) with Dr. Klaus on a NASA-funded project.
Ryan’s current Ph.D. focus is on advanced spacesuit technologies that will
aid with dust mitigation on the lunar surface, Mars, and beyond. Ryan remains active in space outreach as
the External Liaison Officer for the CU-Boulder chapter of the Students for
the Exploration and Development of Space (CUSEDS), and serves as an advisor
for both SEDS Canada and Mars Society Canada’s Exploration Mars
(ExMars) Program.
Homepage:
https://webfiles.colorado.edu/kobrick/www/
PhD Thesis Advisor: 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-present)
last updated 8/2/07
|
|
Jonathan
Metts, PhD Candidate
|
Electrochromic
Applications for Spacesuit Thermal Control
Jonathan
received his B.S. Aerospace Engineering from Auburn
University in 2004, then began graduate
work, also at Auburn,
completing an M.S. in Aerospace Engineering in 2006. 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. The project was
mentioned in a Popular Science article about t/Space. 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 graduate
research background is in optimization of missile systems via genetic
algorithms, but he is transitioning to space suit research at CU in pursuit
of his primary interest, human space flight.
His thesis topic addresses the application of variable-emissivity
materials for active modulation of a passive thermal control system.
PhD Thesis Advisor: Dr. David Klaus
Research Funding: NASA GSRP Fellowship,
2007-present, ARCS Scholar, 2008
last updated
8/2/07
|
|
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 exploring a PhD thesis topic combining various
applications of systems engineering aimed at effective human integration into
the space habitat design process.
PhD Thesis Advisor: Dr. David Klaus
Research Funding: NASA GSRP Fellowship, 2006/07, William F. Marlar Memorial Trust, 2008, Lockheed
Martin, 2009
last updated
1/31/08
|
|
Bradley
Greybeck, PhD Student
|
Skeletal Muscle Atrophy
Brad
completed his undergraduate studies in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Texas
at Austin. He
then went on to work as a Boeing contractor for NASA in Houston, Texas
where he worked as an analyst on the Orbiter’s Environmental Control and Life
Support Systems and Active Thermal Control Systems. While working he pursued
an interest in muscle physiology by completing a Masters in Mechanical
Engineering at Rice
University. His
research there focused on the diaphragm muscle mechanics. In completing his
degree the decision was made to pursue further research in how muscles are
affected by the weightlessness environment during spaceflight. His current
investigation is focused on the molecular mechanisms behind muscle atrophy.
Current studies include collaboration with Dr. Dave Allen in the Integrative
Physiology department examining expression of key genes involved in
regulating a potent muscle growth inhibitor known as myostatin. Future
research will entail examining skeletal muscle on the cell level to
facilitate linking of mechanical stimuli and gene expression.
PhD Thesis Advisor: Dr. Louis Stodieck
Research Funding: BioServe Space Technologies
last updated
4/14/08
|
|
Jennifer
Mindock, PhD Student
|
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,
using NASA’s Altair Lunar Lander as a case study for the process. 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, 2009
last updated
February 2009
|
Prior Bioastronautics
Students (since 2002)
|
|
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
NASA Civil Servant, Johnson Space Center, Crew and
Thermal Systems
last updated 10/21/09
|
|
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
Postdoc at University of Washington
last updated December 2008
|
|
Kennda Lynch, MS
|
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
PhD Student, CSM
last updated
8/22/08
|
|
|
Lunar Habitat Design Team
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, which is ongoing, with 7 former participants
who have graduated now 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, BS
|
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
Medical School, CU Health Sciences
last updated 8/22/08
|
|
Dan
Baca, MS
|
Lunar Surface
Access Module: Analysis and Test Bed
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
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
Research Funding: NASA GSRP Fellowship, 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
PhD
Aero August 2006
Thesis Title: Development and Analysis of a Novel Cytokine
Biosensor Concept for Astronaut Immune System Monitoring
Lockheed
Martin
last updated
6/21/06
|
|
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
PhD
Aero August 2006
Thesis Title: Analysis of Planetary Exploration
Spacesuit Systems and Evaluation
of a Modified Partial-Gravity Simulation Technique
Wyle,
NASA JSC - EVA Physiology, Systems, & Performance Project (EPSP), Human
Adaptation & Countermeasures
last updated 4/14/08
|
|
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
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.
Advisor: Dr. David Klaus
Research Funding: NASA GSRP Fellowship, 2004-2006 (JSC)
MS
Aero December 2004
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.
Homepage: http://ucsu.colorado.edu/~russeljf/
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
Postdoc
at Purdue University 2005/06, now at Lockheed Martin
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
MS Aero December 2005
Canadian
Space Agency and PhD Student at the University of Guelph
last updated 1/26/06
|
|
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.
Homepage: http://www.stanford.edu/~benoitm/
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
Postdoc
at Stanford University
last updated 1/23/06
|
|
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
Postdoc
at NIST, currently Professor at University of Dresden, Germany
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
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
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
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
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, currently with 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
Served as a member of the Peace Corps in the Philippines,
currently PhD student at CSM
last updated
August 2007
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Bioastronautics Research
Group