Psychophysiology of Aerospace Medicine - National Research Council Postdoctoral Associateships

Applications
Although applications for Ames Research Associateships are accepted throughout the year, they are evaluated by the panels only in February, June and October.

To be eligible for review in February, completed application material must be postmarked no later than January 15, and received no later than January 25. Supporting documents must be received by February 15.

To be eligible for review in June, completed application material must be postmarked no later than April 15, and received no later than April 25. Supporting documents must be received by June 1.

To be eligible for review in October, completed application material must be postmarked no later than August 15, and received no later than August 25. Supporting documents must be received by October 1.

The address for applications is:

Meredith M Moore
Employee Development Specialist
Human Resources Development Branch - M/S 241-3
NASA AMES RESEARCH CENTER
Building 241, Room 144
Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000
Telephone: (415) 604-5624
FAX: (415) 604-3622
E-Mail: mmoore@mail.arc.nasa.gov

The Psychophysiological Research Laboratory at Ames is currently engaged in a series of Earth-based investigations designed to detect and treat human physiological disorders resulting from exposure to weightlessness in space. This treatment involves training human subjects to voluntarily control several autonomic responses simultaneously and thereby suppress the effects of environmental stress. The method is called Autogenic-Feedback Training (AFT), which combines operant conditioning, autogenic therapy (derived from hypnosis), and attention training techniques. The principal application of this work is to develop a preflight training program that should permit crew members to diminish the debilitating effects of the Space Adaptation Syndrome during actual space shuttle missions. Current research programs emphasize the development of instrumentation and/or procedures that enable more detailed investigation of human physiological responses to this type of environment stress. Research involves extensive use of non-invasive electrophysiological measures (electroenecphalography EEG, electromyography EMG, electrocardiography ECG, etc.). An ambulatory monitoring system, the Autogenic-Feedback System-2 (AFS-2), enables recording and display of physiological signals while subjects are away from the laboratory (i.e., while flying an aircraft, at their work site or during spaceflight missions). This work also evaluates the application of autonomic conditioning as a treatment for other biomedical problems that are due to long- duration exposure to weightlessness, such as cardiovascular deconditioning aboard the Space Station. Technology transfer efforts in progress include tests of AFT and the AFS-2 hardware with specific patient populations (e.g., hypotension, dysautonomia, nausea due to chemotherapy, etc.) and within pilot training programs (commercial, private and military) designed to improve pilot performance during emergency flying conditions.

Candidates or individuals interested in applying for National Research Council Postdoctoral Associateships in this laboratory should refer to Opportunity Number 44.10.21.07.