Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON—The National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) has enlisted seven scientists to serve as team leaders in its efforts to protect astronaut health during long-duration spaceflight.

Each of the scientists will lead one of NSBRI's seven discipline area research teams focused on specific challenges faced by humans in space.

“NSBRI's position at the forefront of space biomedical research will be enhanced with these outstanding scientists serving as team leaders,” said NSBRI chief executive Jeffrey P. Sutton in a prepared statement. “Their expertise and knowledge will be beneficial to the Institute, NASA and human spaceflight in general. They will play an instrumental role in our efforts to overcome health challenges facing humans while in space and to improve health care on Earth.”

The team leaders are responsible for reporting on their teams' research projects and working closely with the NSBRI Science Office and NASA to ensure alignment with operational needs. The team leaders’ term is for three years and they must also have a currently funded NSBRI research project.

The NSBRI teams address space health concerns such as bone loss and muscle weakening, balance and orientation problems, neurobehavioral and psychosocial problems, radiation exposure, remote medical care and research capabilities, and habitability and performance issues during spaceflight.

The team leaders and their institutions are:

Cardiovascular Alterations Team

Benjamin D. Levine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

Human Factors and Performance Team

Elizabeth B. Klerman, Harvard Medical School-Brigham and Women's Hospital

Musculoskeletal Alterations Team

Lori Ploutz-Snyder, Universities Space Research Association

Neurobehavioral and Psychosocial Factors Team

David F. Dinges, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Radiation Effects Team

Ann R. Kennedy, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Sensorimotor Adaptation Team

Charles M. Oman, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Smart Medical Systems and Technology Team

Gary E. Strangman, Harvard Medical School-Massachusetts General Hospital

NSBRI, funded by NASA, is a consortium of institutions studying the health risks related to long-duration spaceflight and developing the medical technologies needed for long missions. NSBRI's science, technology and education projects take place at more than 60 institutions across the United States.