CITIZEN SCIENCE ASTRONAUT TRAINING

ANALOG ASTRONAUT MISSION: HI-SEAS HABITAT

As the Chief Scientist on an Analog Astronaut mission conducted atop Mauna Kea in Hawaii, I led a series of high-stakes exploratory activities and research projects designed to simulate Martian conditions. My responsibilities included:

Mission Leadership: Led Extravehicular Activities (EVAs) into volcanic lava flows. Ensured safety and efficiency during field activities.
Simulation and Training: Managed simulated full isolation scenarios and conducted training exercises aimed at solving anomalies through communication with mission control, rationing food and meal prep from dehydrated stock, keeping the habitat clean and safe
Technological Research: Researched optimal locations and materials to place around the astronaut helmet to help with ithiness. Studied impacts of additional light sources on spacesuits

MAKEUP IN MICROGRAVITY

Devise Test Equipment Data Packages for multiple payloads to fly microgravity and tested it in parabolic flight: 1. Controlled solid rocket engine combustion in 0G, 1G, 2G to analyze the impact of G-forces on combustion

2. Explore the effects of microgravity on the application of makeup, investigating spatial awareness and distortion in vection among astronauts

Operate multiple payloads in microgravity: 3D printing bioskin in microgravity to heal wounds for astronauts with a handheld printer

Flew on a Canadian National Research Council parabolic flight, which was also used to train Canadian astronauts

Publish peer- reviewed research and present it it at International Astronautical Congress in MIlan

Link to Interactive Research Presentation

SPACECRAFT EGRESS AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

Professional education course on the landing and post-landing phase of manned spacecraft missions. This course covers nominal and contingency landing scenarios, post-landing planning, rescue and recovery architecture design, egress systems and operational procedures, deconditioning and post-landing survivability, generalized egress skills, and emergency egress bottle use.

Field components included escaping submerged vehicle in extreme emergency situations, astronaut emergency rescue operations in the ocean, training on the orion capsule mockup

Managed both nominal and contingency landing scenarios to ensure preparedness for a wide range of situations. This included designing and executing post-landing planning exercises and practicing rescue and recovery operations.

Notably, this is the same facility where Tom Cruise trained for the film Top Gun: Maverick, showcasing its versatility in high-stakes training environments.

ADVANCED POSSUM ACADEMY

Specialist Training in Space and Atmospheric Missions

PoSSUMSim Training:

Mission Simulation and Crew Resource Management: Conducted mission simulations and CRM training in PoSSUMSim, including full scientist-astronaut mission simulations in spacesuits.
Instrumentation Training: Individual instruction on PoSSUMCam and scientific video systems.

Flight and Physiology Training:

High-G and Microgravity Training: Experience with high-G and microgravity space physiology in an Extra 300L aerobatic aircraft.
High Altitude Training: Conducted mission training in a hyperbaric altitude facility.

Spacesuit and Egress Training:

Spacesuit Training: Hands-on training in donning, doffing, pressure regulation, and basic mobility.
Anti-G Garment and Countermeasures: Introduction to anti-G garments and countermeasures

ACADEMIC AND PERFORMANCE EDUCATION

Mission Simulation: Suborbital mission operations and CRM training.

Spaceflight Physiology: Cardiovascular effects, G-LOC, muscle function, and countermeasures.

Physiological Effects of Spaceflight: High-G environment training and blackout mitigation

Effects of Hypoxia: Hypoxia effects, decompression illness, and performance.

Hypoxia Lab: Training at altitudes equivalent to 25,000 feet.

Space Life Support Systems: Fundamentals of ECLSS and design trades.

Spacesuit Design and Operations: Spacesuit operations and safety.