Ignite your curiosity and grow your passion for space and science at our monthly Thought Leader Series. The best and brightest minds examine the significance of historic missions, share the latest news in space exploration and look ahead to the future of space travel. This immersive series takes guests beyond our walls to provide inspiring, engaging and educational learning experiences.
In honor of the University of Texas Medical Branch’s (UTMB) 30th anniversary in aerospace medicine, doctors Natacha Chough and Ronak Shah will dive into the past, present and future effects of space exploration on the human body. Using the International Space Station (ISS) as a test bed for future Artemis missions, discover how the health and safety of astronauts is maintained through training, flight and reentry. Join us for our first in-person presentation of 2023, as we celebrate 30 years in aerospace medicine in our January Thought Leader Series, presented by UTMB Health.
Ronak V. Shah, DO, MBA, MPH
Dr. Shah joined The University of Texas Medical Branch in 2022 and serves as Director of the Aerospace Medicine Division. He joined UTMB from NASA, where he spent the last five years as Medical Director of the JSC Clinic. Dr. Shah was responsible for both medical and administrative oversight of clinical services. This included the Flight Medicine Clinic, Neutral Buoyancy Lab, medical operations in Russia and the Astronaut gym, to name a few. He was integral in multiple healthcare initiatives including the creation of a medical home model for astronaut healthcare, the “To Research, Evaluate, Assess, and Treat Astronauts Act” (TREAT), advancing support for women’s healthcare in Assisted Reproductive Technology and laying the foundation for an astronaut autopsy program.
During his early years at NASA, Dr. Shah served as the Deputy Element Scientist for the Exploration Medical Capability Element in the NASA Human Research Program. He is a 2010 graduate of the UTMB Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, a 2011 graduate of the UTMB Residency in Aerospace Medicine and former President of the Society of NASA Flight Surgeons. He is board-certified in Aerospace Medicine and Internal Medicine and holds dual master’s degrees in Public Health and Business Administration.
It’s been 50 years since Apollo 17, the last crewed lunar exploration mission. Now, as we celebrate this historic anniversary, on the heels of the
Artemis Moonwalking Spacesuits Discover how NASA and Axiom Space are working to design a next-level moonwalking spacesuit. This new suit will be the first in
Zombie Stars and Gamma Ray Ghouls and Dead Planets, Oh my! This Halloween, explore the sinister side of space in “Galaxy of Horrors,” presented by
SEPT. 29 6 P.M. CT Artemis I: The Orion Spacecraft, presented by UTMB NASA’s Orion spacecraft is built to take humans farther than they’ve ever
May 26 6 P.M. CT Skylab to Gateway: Living in Space, presented by UTMB From our first venture living in space with Skylab to building
April 21 6.P.M. CT Art and Science Converging to Further Humanity Using your imagination to fuel exploration and discovery is what the nonprofit SciArt Exchange
HOURS FOR JANUARY SEE FULL HOURS
Monday - Friday
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
