Janapriya “JP” Saha

Janapriya “JP” Saha brings more than 20 years of experience in the radiation research field to his role as deputy element scientist of the Space Radiation Element (SRE). In his current position, he provides strategic direction for the element, helping to develop a comprehensive research plan and schedule science projects to meet exploration milestones.

Saha first worked for NASA as a SRE scientist in 2011. He later moved to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas as a senior postdoctoral research fellow and became a faculty instructor. He joined NASA’s Space Radiation Analysis Group as a senior scientist in 2020, working with SRE as the degenerative diseases discipline lead. Prior to his current position, he served as lead scientist for another SRE project evaluating the risks radiation pose to astronauts based on experimental studies and epidemiological data. 

Saha received a doctorate in Radiation Biology from the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany. His research focuses on understanding ionizing radiation-induced DNA damage, characterizing space radiation-induced biological effects, and investigating medical applications for charged particle radiotherapy.