About ASGSR

The American Society for Gravitational and Space Research (ASGSR), founded in 1984 is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization that represents the areas of biological and physical sciences focuses on the understanding of responses of biological and physical systems to variable gravity conditions. The ASGSR provides a forum to foster research, education and professional development in the multidisciplinary fields of gravitational life and physical science research. ASGSR brings together a diverse group of scientists and engineers to encourage an exchange of ideas bridging basic and applied biological and physical sciences research and technology in space and on the ground. The organization is devoted to furthering the field of gravitational research. Our members represent academia, government, and industry interests bonded by a common issue – how living organisms and physical systems respond to gravity (e.g. low-gravity, hypergravity, etc.)

In 2019 the society created a companion 501(c)(3) Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math (STEAM) Foundation to expand the opportunities for students to participate and learn about gravitational life and physical sciences research. Go to asgsr.org/steam to learn more.

Vision

The Vision of ASGSR is to advance biological and physical sciences research in, of, and for space by bringing together professional communities spanning gravitational biology, radiation biology, physical sciences, bioastronautics and astrobiology, and mentoring the future scientific and engineering leaders in these fields.

Leadership

ASGSR Executive Team

Executive Director

Ellen Gertsen executive_director@asgsr.org

Operations & Membership Manager

Sarah Velasquez  admin@asgsr.org

Secretary-Treasurer

Stephen Keith Chapes, Kansas State University, skcbiol@k-state.edu

Meeting Coordinator

Mary Harrison meetings@asgsr.org

 

Governing Board and Officers 2025-2026

President

Jeffrey Smith, Jeff.smith@asgsr.org

Immediate Past-President and 2026 Conference Chair 

Michael Pecaut, Loma Linda University, mpecaut@llu.edu

President-Elect

Jennifer Barrila, Arizona State University,  jennifer.barrila@asu.edu

ASGSR Student Association President

Anna Wadhwa, MIT, wadhwa@mit.edu

 

2025-2026 Board Members

Bruce Link – (Amentum Services) – through 2028 

Davide Marotta – (Helogen Corporation) – through 2028

Rafael Loureiro (Winston-Salem State University) – through 2028 

Sylvain Costes – through 2028

Cassandra Juran (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) – through 2027

Amber Paul (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) – through 2027

Kelly Rice (University of Florida)  – through 2027

Yuhao Xu (Clemson University) – through 2027

Mamta Nagaraja (Vyoma Science & Engineering) – through 2026

Debbie Wells (Leidos) – through 2026

Imara Perera (North Carolina State University) – through 2026

Nicole Wagner (LambdaVision Incorporated) – through 2026