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Joshua S. Alwood

Joshua S. Alwood

Research and Project Scientist

Contents

Phone: (650) 604-1490
Email: Joshua.S.Alwood@nasa.gov
Affiliation: Space Biosciences Research Branch

Biography

Dr. Alwood is a researcher focusing on bone biology and biomechanics, reproductive biology, and the nervous system. He also serves as a project scientist for Space Biology and the Human Research Program, focusing on translational and interdisciplinary science. For his primary interest in the skeletal system, he sees bones as living structures that sense and alter their form throughout life to meet the demands of the mechanical environment. Through this lens, his research objectives are to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying changes in skeletal structure during periods of disuse or heightened use or other spaceflight environmental factors and to develop countermeasures that prevent deleterious skeletal changes.

Education

Postdoctoral Training, Space Biology, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Ph.D. in Aeronautics & Astronautics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
M.S. in Aeronautics & Astronautics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
B.S. in Physics & Astronomy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Research Interests

Bones are living structures that sense and alter their form throughout life to meet the demands of the mechanical environment. Through this lens, my research objectives are to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying changes in skeletal structure during periods of disuse or heightened use or other spaceflight environmental factors, like irradiation, and to develop countermeasures that prevent deleterious skeletal changes.

Pubmed Bibliography

Select Publications

  1. Summary Report for the Technical Interchange Meeting: Circuits and Biomarkers of the Central Nervous System Relating to Astronaut Performance. Alwood JS, Mulavara AP, Iyer J, Mhatre S, Rosi S, Shelhamer M, Davis-Takacs C, Dinges D, Mao XW, Desai R, Elgart SR, Whitmire A, Williams TJ. 2021. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20210016273
  2. Bone Physiology Introduction. Alwood JS, Mains RC, in Translational Cell & Animal Research in Space, 1965 – 2011. Eds, Ronca AE, Souza KA, Mains RC. NASA/SP-2015-625. 2015. https://www3.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/nasa-sp-2015-625.pdf
  3. Neuro-consequences of the spaceflight environment. Mhatre SD, Iyer J, Puukila S, Paul AM, Tahimic CGT, Rubinstein L, Lowe M, Alwood JS, Sowa MB, Bhattacharya S, Globus RK, Ronca AE. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.055
  4. Relations Between Bone Quantity, Microarchitecture, and Collagen Cross-links on Mechanics Following In Vivo Irradiation in Mice. Pendleton MM, Emerzian SR, Sadoughi S, Li A, Liu JW, Tang SY, O’Connell GD, Sibonga JD, Alwood JS, Keaveny TM. JBMR Plus. 2021. 5(11), e10545.
  5. Effects of spaceflight aboard the International Space Station on mouse estrous cycle and ovarian gene expression. Hong X, Ratri A, Choi SY, Tash JS, Ronca AE, Alwood JS, Christenson LK. NPJ Microgravity. 2021;7(1):11.
  6. Skeletal tissue regulation by catalase overexpression in mitochondria. Schreurs AS, Torres S, Truong T, Moyer EL, Kumar A, Tahimic CGT, Alwood JS, Globus RK. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2020 Oct 1;319(4):C734-C745.
  7. Dietary countermeasure mitigates simulated spaceflight-induced osteopenia in mice. Steczina S, Tahimic CGT, Pendleton M, M’Saad O, Lowe M, Alwood JS, Halloran BP, Globus RK, Schreurs AS. Sci Rep. 2020 Apr 16;10(1):6484.
  8. Effects of ex vivo ionizing radiation on collagen structure and whole-bone mechanical properties of mouse vertebrae. Pendleton MM, Emerzian SR, Liu J, Tang SY, O’Connell GD, Alwood JS, Keaveny TM. Bone. 2019 Nov;128:115043.
  9. Influence of Social Isolation During Prolonged Simulated Weightlessness by Hindlimb Unloading. Tahimic CGT, Paul AM, Schreurs AS, Torres SM, Rubinstein L, Steczina S, Lowe M, Bhattacharya S, Alwood JS, Ronca AE, Globus RK. Front Physiol. 2019 Sep 13;10:1147.
  10. Dose- and Ion-Dependent Effects in the Oxidative Stress Response to Space-Like Radiation Exposure in the Skeletal System. Alwood JS, Tran LH, Schreurs AS, Shirazi-Fard Y, Kumar A, Hilton D, Tahimic CGT, Globus RK. Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Oct 10;18(10).
  11. From the bench to exploration medicine: NASA life sciences translational research for human exploration and habitation missions. Alwood JS, Ronca AE, Mains RC, Shelhamer MJ, Smith JD, Goodwin TJ. NPJ Microgravity. 2017 Jan 12;3:5.
  12. Dried plum diet protects from bone loss caused by ionizing radiation. Schreurs AS, Shirazi-Fard Y, Shahnazari M, Alwood JS, Truong TA, Tahimic CG, Limoli CL, Turner ND, Halloran B, Globus RK. Sci Rep. 2016 Feb 11;6:21343.
  13. Alwood JS, Shahnazari M, Chicana B, Schreurs AS, Kumar A, Bartolini A, Shirazi-Fard Y, Globus RK. Ionizing Radiation Stimulates Expression of Pro-Osteoclastogenic Genes in Marrow and Skeletal Tissue. J Interferon Cytokine Res. 2015 Jun;35(6):480-7.
  14. Shirazi-Fard Y, Alwood JS, Schreurs AS, Castillo AB, Globus RK. Mechanical loading causes site-specific anabolic effects on bone following exposure to ionizing radiation. Bone. 2015 Dec;81:260-9.
  15. Blaber EA, Dvorochkin N, Lee C, Alwood JS, Yousuf R, Pianetta P, Globus RK, Burns BP, Almeida EA. Microgravity induces pelvic bone loss through osteoclastic activity, osteocytic osteolysis, and osteoblastic cell cycle inhibition by CDKN1a/p21. PLoS One. 2013 Apr 18;8(4):e61372.
  16. Mammalian Reproduction and Development on the International Space Station (ISS): Proceedings of the Rodent Mark III Habitat Workshop. Ronca AE, Alwood JS, Globus RK, Souza KA. Gravitational and Space Research, 2013. http://gravitationalandspaceresearch.org/index.php/journal/article/download/623/652
  17. Alwood JS, Kumar A, Tran LH, Wang A, Limoli CL, Globus RK. Low-dose, ionizing radiation and age-related changes in skeletal microarchitecture. J Aging Res. 2012: 481983.
  18. Alwood JS, Yumoto K, Mojarrab R, Limoli CL, Almeida EA, Searby ND, Globus RK. Heavy ion irradiation and unloading effects on mouse lumbar vertebral microarchitecture, mechanical properties and tissue stresses. Bone. 2010 Aug;47(2):248-55.

Awards and Activities

  • 2018-2021 NASA Ames Safety Awards
  • 2017 NASA Ames Honor Award
  • 2015 Thora W. Halstead Young Investigator’s Award (ASGSR)
  • 2012 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE)

Links to Press

Alliances