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NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli services microbe samples for DNA sequencing aboard the International Space Station.

Human Research Program

HRP uses research to develop methods to protect the health and performance of astronauts in space. With the goal of traveling to Mars and beyond, HRP is using ground research facilities, the International Space Station, and analog environments to enable cutting-edge science.

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The Human Body in Space

For more than 50 years, NASA’s Human Research Program (HRP) has studied what happens to the human body in space. Researchers…

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HRP Videos

Browse videos explaining the science of NASA’s Human Research Program (HRP).

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HRP Leadership

David K. Baumann, Director

Baumann oversees HRP, a program responsible for ensuring the health and performance of crew members aboard spaceflight exploration missions. He previously served as the chief health and performance officer for the Human Landing System Program.

Karen Pickering portrait

Karen D. Pickering, Deputy Director

Pickering supports the strategic management of HRP, aligning science goals with NASA objectives. She also facilitates relationships with internal and external partners.

Charles W. Lloyd, Associate Director for Strategic Planning and Oversight

Lloyd helps set the direction of future HRP work. He also represents HRP in broader agency conversations about operations and research investments needed for future human spaceflight.

Steven Platts

Steven H. Platts, Chief Scientist

Platts guides scientific content for HRP. As the program’s chief scientist, he ensures scientific integrity, ethics, and quality.

Michael Stenger, Deputy Chief Scientist

Stenger works with HRP leadership, managers, and scientists to set research strategy and support a robust scientific portfolio that mitigates human spaceflight hazards.

Kristin Fabre portrait

Kristin Fabre, Associate Chief Scientist

Fabre is leading the formulation of the HRP’s data strategy. She also serves as a liaison to other government agencies and the private sector, forging partnerships that advance human research in space.

Jancy C. McPhee portrait

Jancy C. McPhee, Associate Chief Scientist

McPhee helps build science strategies and implement research goals, coordinating with government, international, and commercial partners across various physiological disciplines, space missions, and Earth-based simulations of life in space.

Nancy Fleming

Nancy Fleming, Technical Assistant

Fleming began her career at NASA as an International Space Station avionics and systems instructor for astronauts and flight controllers. Since then, she has served in various roles at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Baraquiel Reyna portrait

Baraquiel Reyna, Manager of the Science Integration Office

Reyna incorporates research into NASA’s operational programs to ensure that research goals set now develop into research actions in the future. 

Carrol Mullenax portriat

Carol Mullenax, Manager of the Program Planning and Control Office

Mullenax leads the team that enables HRP’s overall execution. She facilitates technical, cost, schedule, and programmatic risk management processes and more.