WHO WE ARE

We apply complexity theory and pattern recognition to large data sets, which are usually derived from molecular profiles, physiologic metrics, clinical measures, and meta-data in human subjects.  Data can be further generated from in vitro modeling and human tissue analogue studies.

Michael A. Schmidt, Ph.D.Co-Chair
Dr. Michael A. Schmidt is the Founder and President of Sovaris Aerospace, a private company focused on assessment and solutions applied to humans in space and extreme environments on earth. Dr. Schmidt is also co-chair of the Advanced Pattern Analysis & Countermeasures Group. His clinical and research work is focused on a systems approach to complex problems of human performance in extreme conditions. He applies the same complexity models derived from space flight countermeasure development to biomarker discovery, predictive analytics, and personalized medicine paradigms on earth, using a convergent variables approach.

Dr. Schmidt is co-developer of the personalized medicine program for the Corvette Racing Driver Science program and the 24 Hours of Le Mans racing series. He also directs the molecular profiling and countermeasures efforts for elite athletes ranging from NFL to NBA to Olympic athletes and others, including some of the most successful professional teams. These efforts include targeted and untargeted integrated omics profiling, combined with molecular network-directed countermeasures. He applies these same approaches to work with the commercial space flight sector for orbital and suborbital space flight, as well as with private and government missions directed toward the human habitation of space (Moon, Mars, etc.).

Dr. Schmidt did his doctoral research in molecular medicine and biochemistry within the Life Sciences Division at NASA Ames Research Center, under NASA Ames Chief Medical Officer Ralph R. Pelligra, M.D. His research was focused on human performance and molecular network changes in extreme conditions, such as prolonged hypergravity. In this work, his team conducted one of only two studies to ever expose humans to 22 hours of continuous elevated G forces by centrifugation (artificial gravity) on NASA’s large radius, 20G human centrifuge. Dr. Schmidt also did a fellowship at NASA’s Human Systems Integration Division, with an emphasis on physiologic monitoring and countermeasures aimed at raising human performance in extended microgravity, hypergravity, artificial gravity, sleep deprivation, night vision operations, pararescue, high altitude flight, and other stressors encountered in extreme environments. He has done additional studies at Lancaster University (neuroscience) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (data and models; artificial neural networks).

Dr. Schmidt is co-author of the paper, Personalized Medicine in Human Space Flight: Using Omics Based Analyses to Develop Individualized Countermeasures that Enhance Astronaut Safety and Performance, published in the journal Metabolomics in 2013. The paper was featured by Springer Science Media, highlighting the most influential papers of 2013 and 2014.

In January 2016 (Metabolomics), he co-authored, “Incorporation of Omics Analyses into Artificial Gravity Research for Space Exploration Countermeasure Development,” along with Thomas J. Goodwin, Ph.D. (NASA Johnson Space Center) and Ralph Pelligra, M.D., (Chief Medical Officer, NASA Ames Research Center). In January 2015, he presented an invited lecture at the NASA Human Research Program Integrated Pathway to Mars Symposium, entitled “Protecting Neural Structures and Cognitive Function during Prolonged Space Flight by Targeting the Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor Molecular Network.”

Over a ten year period, Dr. Schmidt trained in mediation and conflict resolution under the late Dr. Marshall Rosenberg and his team, through the Center for Non-Violent Communication. Dr. Rosenberg was considered among the world’s innovators in developing collaborative systems and in resolving challenges within organizations or between groups. Dr. Rosenberg had mediated in some of the most destabilized parts of world, including Rwanda, Bosnia, East Timor, Iraq, and South Africa, as well as with organizations in need of dispute resolution. Through this training and experience, Dr. Schmidt has developed a strong commitment to negotiation and team cohesion, based on mutual needs of all parties involved in any collaboration, partnership, or joint venture. Dr. Schmidt uses these principles to build strong organizations, develop successful cohesive teams, create collaborative systems, and resolve conflict.

He is on the editorial board of the journal New Horizons in Translational Medicine and is on the Advisory Board of the European Society for Translational Medicine. He is also part of the Pharmacometabolomics & Precision Medicine Task Group of the Metabolomics Society, which is advising the National Institutes of Health on the 1 million person precision medicine initiative. Dr. Schmidt is a professional member of the Society for Neuroscience, the Epigenetics Society, the European Society for Translational Medicine, and the Metabolomics Society.

He resides in Boulder, CO.

Thomas J. Goodwin, Ph.D.Co-Chair
Thomas J. Goodwin, PhD – NASA cellular physiologist (Retired), pioneer and authority in 3D biology, tissue engineering, bioelectromagnetic field effects, and synthesized tissue growth. Dr. Goodwin was the Manager of the Disease Modeling and Tissue Analogues Laboratory at the NASA Johnson Space Center and Lead Scientist for the Oxidative Stress and Damage research discipline for more than 15 years. Known for 30 years of work in 3D tissues for study of human physiology and tumor biology, 3D models as microbial hosts for infectious disease, and research into effects of ultra-low frequency electromagnetic fields on human tissues. Dr. Goodwin is Honorary President and Chair of the Personalized Medicine panel of the European Society of Translational Medicine (EUSTM). He holds adjunct positions at the University of Texas Medical School, Galveston Texas, Dept. of Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, the University of Houston, Dept. of Health and Human Performance, and is an Adjunct Scientist at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute and the Southwest National Primate Research Center which is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. He has authored or co-authored over 40 peer review articles, two book chapters on three-dimensional biology, has been awarded 21 U.S. patents, with several disclosures pending, published more than 59 peer-reviewed scientific papers, co-authored two book chapters on 3D biology and human physiology, and is the recipient of more than 70 NASA Scientific and Technical awards.

Dr. Goodwin’s research focuses on cell physiology and organ tissue bioengineering, development of ex vivo physiological 3D systems, and the three-dimensional biology of human and animal cells. Complex recapitulated tissues may serve as surrogates for studies of tumour physiology, viral, and bacterial infectivity, genomic responses to a myriad of cellular conditions including genomic modulation and regulation due to chemical, physical, and environmental stimuli such as may be seen on the Earth and in the microgravity environment and as a platform to study man-machine interfaces. Recent papers include the co-authorship of Personalized Medicine in Human Space Flight: Using Omics Based Analyses to Develop Individualized Countermeasures that Enhance Astronaut Safety and Performance, published in the journal Metabolomics in 2013 and Three-Dimensional Normal Human Neural Progenitor Tissue-Like Assemblies: A Model of Persistent Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection”, PLoS Pathogens 2013.

Robert M. Hubbard, Ed.D., M.A., M.B.A.Executive Director
Dr. Hubbard has extensive experience in both early-stage and mature organizations dealing with high technology, higher education, manufacturing, and biotechnology. Dr. Hubbard spent a 17 year career with North American Aviation/Rockwell International, performing successively increasing responsibilities across multiple functions, including experimental machine shop and design drafting, technical writing, project management, contracts and pricing, sales and marketing, and new business development, contract negotiation, and program management. These skill-sets were developed across major aerospace programs (Apollo Space Program, Space Shuttle, Mars Viking Lander) military programs (Minuteman Missile, B-1B Bomber, Experimental Flight Operations, and black-box advanced technologies), and commercial aviation (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association training programs, Sabreliner operations, AeroCommander operations). Most recently, Robert performed as Director and General Manager, Pulsewave LLC, located in the Boulder-Denver area. With Pulsewave, several R&D programs were executed with the Department of Energy (DOE), resulting in a unique, green technology with major potential to serve National and commercial interests in energy production.

Dr. Hubbard has served in a variety of faculty and administrative positions in higher education. Past member of School of Technology Advisory Board and adjunct professor with Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL, he earlier served as Dean of Graduate Studies, Director of Adult Continuing Education, Chair of Business Administration, Professor and faculty member in both Clinical Psychology and Business Leadership programs across several college and university posts. Credentials include Doctor of Education, Boston University; Master of Arts, Psychology, Eastern Nazarene College; Executive MBA, Suffolk University; Bachelor of Arts (Business and Economics). Three post-doc credentials, Harvard School of Medicine.