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Hannah V

- Research Program Mentor

PhD candidate at University of Houston-Downtown

Expertise

Space Physiology, Astronaut Health, Anatomy and Physiology, Kinesiology, Neuroscience, Biology, Microbiology

Bio

I am currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Houston where I am studying kinesiology with an emphasis in motor control. I'm also a scientist in NASA's Neuroscience Lab and conduct sensorimotor testing of astronauts pre and post-flight. I obtained my Bachelor's degree in Biology from North Park University in 2018 and completed my Master's in Space Physiology and Health from King's College London in 2020. My previous research ranged from working with nanoparticles in cancer cell cultures to designing testing protocols for martian spacesuit prototypes. My hobbies include hiking, painting and playing with my dog!

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

Assessing Health Risks for Astronauts

This project allows you to choose an area of physiology or health to focus on in regards to astronauts in microgravity (or potentially on the Moon or Mars). Potential areas include but aren't limited to: brain/nervous system, cardiorespiratory system, psychology, radiation, motor behavior, and the skeletal system. You will write a comprehensive review paper on this area and how astronauts and spaceflight participants are affected as well as review possible countermeasures to mitigate and treat problems associated with them.

Combatting Virtual Reality Cybersickness

Have you ever tried on a virtual reality headset and felt motion sick? That's cybersickness! And it's a big problem for the future of VR. This project consists of either a literature review of what causes cybersickness or possibly coming up with ways to combat this phenomenon!

Coding skills

Matlab

Teaching experience

During my time as an undergraduate, I was a Microbiology TA where I assisted students in the lab twice a week.

Credentials

Work experience

North Park University (2017 - 2017)
Teaching Assistant
NASA-JSC (2022 - Current)
Scientist II- Neuroscience Lab

Education

North Park College and Theological Seminary
BS Bachelor of Science (2018)
Biology
King's College London
MS Master of Science
Space Physiology and Health
University of Houston-Downtown
PhD Doctor of Philosophy candidate
Kinesiology

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