Human health is a critical enabler of safe, sustainable, and long-duration space exploration. The Space Health session brings together researchers, clinicians, engineers, and practitioners to explore how spaceflight affects the human body and mind, and how scientific, technological, and operational innovations can mitigate these risks. Topics span the impacts of microgravity, radiation, isolation, confinement, and extreme environments on physical, cognitive, and psychological health, as well as countermeasures and interventions to support astronaut performance and well-being.
This session emphasizes a transdisciplinary approach, welcoming contributions from health sciences, medicine, neuroscience, engineering, life sciences, and the social sciences. It also highlights the bidirectional exchange between space and Earth: how terrestrial health research can inform space exploration, and how discoveries from space health research can translate into benefits for human health on Earth. By fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue and collaboration, the Space Health session aims to advance knowledge and solutions that will enable future deep-space missions and a thriving human presence beyond Earth.
Space Health
Session Chair Info
Dr. Giuseppe Iaria
Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Calgary, and Director of the Canadian Space Health Research Network
Giuseppe Iaria, PhD is Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Calgary (Calgary, Alberta, Canada), with appointments in the Department of Psychology, the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute. He is an internationally recognized leader in human spatial cognition and space health research, with over two decades of contributions spanning basic neuroscience, clinical translation, and astronaut health. Dr. Iaria is a pioneer in investigating the Read More
Space Health
Session Speakers Info
Haig John
Doctor of Chiropractic, Board of Directors, Odyssey Charter School
Dr. Haig John is in private practice in Melbourne Florida and the founder of Your Family Chiropractor & Families First Physicians. He is an international speaker, educator and the developer of the INNATE Chiropractic Adjusting Workshop Series which includes zero gravity adjusting for off-Earth chiropractic training for long and short term space travel, INNATE Newborn Adjusting and Subluxation Analysis, and Anchor Release Method – a technique to release tension on Read More