Leadership

Ariana M. Nelson, MD

Space MED Program Co-Director

Ariana M. Nelson, MD, is an associate professor at the UC Irvine School of Medicine Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Care and is double board-certified in anesthesiology and pain medicine. Nelson's research interests focus on aerospace medicine and optimization of health and human performance for long-duration space exploration missions, and she has both published and continues ongoing research studies in the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning. She worked with NASA engineers in the development of Earth-independent medical operations. Specifically, in developing a clinical decision support system that leverages artificial intelligence in the austere environment of spaceflight when she was a member of the NASA ExMC Clinical & Science team. She continues work in the commercial spaceflight industry and in aerospace medicine education as a member of the space medicine fellowship consortium.
 

Jonathan G. Steller, MD

Space MED Program Co-Director

Jonathan G. Steller, MD, is an assistant professor and board-certified OBGYN physician specializing in maternal fetal medicine (high-risk pregnancy) at UC Irvine School of Medicine. He is also a member of the NASA ExMC Clinical & Science team and has a deep passion for reproductive and gynecologic health in space. He is involved in clinical and animal research looking at gynecologic morbidity in spaceflight and the effects of space radiation on pregnancy and fertility. Steller has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and textbook chapters in this field, serves as a consultant for NASA and private industry, and is an international leader and lecturer uplifting women’s health in space.

Dana Levin, MD

Dana Levin is board-certified in emergency medicine and aerospace medicine. He previously worked with Space MED Program Directors Ariana Nelson and Jonathan Steller on the NASA Exploration Medical Capabilities Element. He is now the Medical Director and Chief Flight Surgeon for Vast Space and a faculty member in the UC Irvine Department of Emergency Medicine.