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Who We Are

Life is challenged by the extreme environments of spaceflight. The lower gravity levels in space and on the moon and Mars have a wide range of harmful effects on humans and other living organisms. Away from Earth, there is no air, food, and water apart from what we bring with us. Radiation levels are much higher in deep space than on Earth, posing significant health risks. These challenges must be faced if we are to explore the moon, Mars, and beyond.

Astronaut Kate Rubins works with WetLab-2, a molecular biology system that allows gene expression analyses to be conducted entirely on board the International Space Station

Who We Are

In the Space Biosciences Division at NASA’s Ames Research Center, we perform the biological research and technology development necessary to tackle these challenges and enable NASA’s long-term human exploration mission.

Ames Bioengineering Branch

Bioengineering

An image of Astrocytic scar in a human neurovascular model.

Space Biosciences Research

Flight Systems Implementation Branch

Flight Systems Implementation

Meet the SC Division Management Team

Parag Vaishampayan

Division Chief (Acting)

Amela Zanačić

Deputy Division Chief (Acting)

Yasaman Shirazi, PhD

Bioengineering Branch Chief

Flight Systems Implementation Branch Chief

Portrait of Elizabeth Pane

Flight Systems Implementation Assistant Branch Chief

Christina Johnson, PhD

Space Biosciences Research Branch Chief

Ahleah Rohr Daniel

Space Biosciences Research Deputy Branch Chief

Amy Gresser

Ames Space Biology Portfolio Manager

Ames Space Biology Deputy Portfolio Manager

Jonathan Galazka, PhD

Ames Space Biology Portfolio Scientist

Egle Cekanaviciute, PhD

Ames Human Research Program Project Manager