Bridging interdisciplinary gaps between engineering and health sciences

This research explores how space conditions affect human physiology, including studies on intraocular pressure and countermeasures for space deconditioning. This work, supported by the Embry-Riddle Biomechanics and Aerospace Laboratory (ERBaL), provides critical insights for developing solutions to biomedical challenges in space.

Primary Investigator:

Christine Dailey Walck, Ph. D., Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Co-Investigators:  

1. Melanie Coathup, BSc, PhD, Professor and Director of the Biionix Cluster, College of Medicine, Univeristy of Central Floida
2. Kilic, Cagri, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering, , Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
3. Eduardo Divo, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Mechanical Engineering Department, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
4. Victor Huayamave, Ph. D., Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
5. Alesha Fleming, D.C., Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
6. Susan Jewell, MD., CEO & Co-Founder of Mars-Moon Astronautics Academy and Research (MMAARS)
7. Foram Madiya, Assistant Professor, Physical Sciences Department, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
8. Amber Paul, Assistant Professor of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
9. Cassandra Juran, PhD, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Physiology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
10. Emel Sen Kilic, PhD, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Physiology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Student Investigators:

1. Zachary Frantz - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Mechanical Engineering | Biosystems Engineering Track
2. Natalie Brattain - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Aerospace Physiology Major | Human Factors Minor
3. Braelynn F. Bolger - The University of Tampa | Biology, B.S. | Chemistry, B.A. | Pre Health
4. Christopher Lamb - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Aerospace Engineering
5. Jennifer Perskin - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Mechanical Engineering
6. Giovanni Bacon - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University |Astronomy and Astrophysics
7. Jonathan Dicuia - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Mechanical Engineering

Funding

1) Embry-Riddle’s Faculty Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST) Program 2020-2021

2) Florida Space Grant Consortium 2020-2021

3) National Science Foundation- Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU): NSF 19-582 (2022-2025)

Patents

Walck, C. D. (2017). Biomechanics device for use in space missions (U.S. Patent No. 9789356B2). https://patents.google.com/patent/US9789356B2/en 

Publications

1. Walck, C,Frantz, Z, Brattain, N, & Bolger, B. “Gender Differences in IntraocularPressure Responses to Simulated Microgravity.” 15th Annual Women inSurgery Career Symposium, Clearwater, Florida, February 7-9, 2025 (accepted)
2. Hyvert J.M., Diaz-Portela P., Walck C.D., Mitigating Ophthalmic andCardiovascular Changes in Microgravity Using Lower Body Negative Pressure.Northeastern University RISE; April 2024; Boston, MA.
3. Hyvert, Juliane, Diaz-Portela, Paola, Walck, Christine, “The Effects of Simulated Altered Gravity and Lower Body Negative Pressure on Intraocular Pressure and Cardiovascular Hemodynamics,” MIT Undergraduate ResearchTechnology Conference. 2023.
4. Walck, C, Frantz, Z, Brattain, N, & Bolger, B. “Gender Differences in Intraocular Pressure Responses to Simulated Microgravity.” 15th Annual Women in Surgery Career Symposium, Clearwater, Florida, February 7-9, 2025 (submitted)
5. Walck, C., Lamb, C., Vilches, P., Farnese, T., and Perskin, J., “Movement Optimization through Musculoskeletal Modeling and Multidimensional Surface Interpolation,” International Symposium on Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering. Computer Methods, Imaging and Visualization in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering II Lecture Notes in Computational Vision and Biomechanics, 2022, p. 59-64 Extended Article 2022
6. Walck, C., Fleming. B., Taylor A.,Mangada, P. A scoping review of current methods and limitations for modelling
   and evaluating ligamentous structures. World Scientific Annual Review of
   Biomechanical. 2023 https://doi.org/10.1142/S2810958923300056
7. Dailey, Christine M., et al. "Resistance Exercise Machine within Lower Body Negative Pressure for Counteracting Effects of Microgravity" Gravitational and Space Research, vol. 2, no. 1, Sciendo, 2014, pp. 94-107. https://doi.org/10.2478/gsr-2014-0008
8. Dailey CM.A Novel Resistance Exercise Machine for Use in a Lower Body Negative Pressure Box to Counteract the Effects of Weightlessness. Hunt Library: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach; 2013.
9. Baptista, R. R., Susin, T. B., Benyoucef, Y., Dailey, C., Neves, A. M. B. S., & Russomano, T. (2016, July 6). Development and validation of an exercise device for use in an LBNP box. 21st Annual ECSS Congress: Crossing Borders Through Sport Science, 582.

Partners

The Microgravity Centre (Centro de Microgravidade)

at Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul

Porto Alegre, Brazil

U.S. Naval Research Lab

Edison Program

Washington, DC