Space Radiation: It’s Everywhere We Want to Be!

Dr. Robin Elgart received her B.S. in Microbiology from the University of California at Santa Barbara and her Ph.D. in Biomedical Physics from the University of California at Los Angeles in the laboratory of Dr. Keisuke Iwamoto. Her dissertation focused on characterizing the DNA damage response following low-dose radiological exams in patient samples. Before joining HRP as the Space Radiation Element Scientist in April 2020, Robin served as a subject matter expert specializing in space radiation health risks for the NASA Space Radiation Analysis Group as well as a Space Environment Officer for Mission Control Center – Houston. As the Space Radiation Element Scientist, Robin’s primary objective is to develop and execute a robust applied research strategy to meet the agency’s goal to safely put the first woman on the Moon and the first humans on Mars.

Many hazards exist for long duration exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The omnipresent space radiation environment is not only complex but also markedly different from radiation environments encountered here on Earth. The health risks associated with exposure to space radiation can threaten both mission success and astronauts’ long term health. The mission of the Space Radiation Element at NASA’s Johnson Space Center is to characterize and facilitate the management of the human health outcomes associated with space radiation exposure to protect astronaut health and wellbeing, and enable human spaceflight. This webinar by Dr. Robin Elgart provides an overview of the space radiation environments, the associated human health risks, and how the Space Radiation Element is actively pursuing a data-driven tactical approach to space radiation protection that is responsive to agency objectives and enables deep space exploration.

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