Untitled Document
Rahul Goel
Senior Research Associate
NASA Ames Research Center
San Jose State University (SJSU)
rahul.goel@nasa.gov
Research Statement-
Interested in understanding human response to spaceflight and developing and testing technologies to allow astronauts to monitor and manage health and performance autonomously, using non-invasive and resource-constrained approaches. Also interested in translation research that benefits both astronaut health in space and that of clinical populations on the Earth.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Health & Human Performance (Space Neurophysiology track), University of Houston, Houston, TX, 2017.
International Space University (ISU) Southern Hemisphere Summer School, Adelaide, Australia, 2012.
International Graduate Summer School in Aeronautics and Astronautics, Beijing, China, 2011.
Master of Science, Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, 2011.
Bachelor of Technology, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, Mumbai, India, 2008 .
Prefessional and Research Experience
NASA Ames Research Center (Sr. Research Associate, employed through SJSU), Moffett Field, CA - Sept. 2020-Present
- As part of the Human Systems Integration Division, I assess changes in human performance (e.g., cognition and sensorimotor control) as a function of different O2 and CO2 levels as astronauts experience on the ISS.
- Expanding NASA eye-tracking tech to assess sub-clinical impairment in patients with retinal pathologies at Stanford eye clinic .
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Written several grants for competitive federal solicitations both as a PI or Co-I.
Stanford School of Medicine (Post-doc. @ Dept. of Radiology), Palo Alto, CA - Sept. 2019-Aug. 2020
- Developed biomechanical model & used machine learning (ML) to classify stress from interactions of peripheral devices.
- Led teams of several students working on discreet ways of stress detection in the wild (through interactions with the computer mouse, trackpad, smartphone, steering wheel, etc.) & design/test subtle stress management interventions.
- Assisted in writing several grants for competitive solicitations around discreet ways of stress sensing and interventions.
Baylor College of Medicine (Post-doc. @ Dept. of Neuroscience), Houston, TX - Mar. 2018-Aug. 2019
- Developed ML-based algorithms to analyze neuroimaging data from fMRI to classify stress levels of Veterans with PTSD. The algorithm developed is now being piloted to perform real-time exposure therapy to treat PTSD.
- Co-developed an algorithm to detect risky movements of the upper body for patients who underwent sternotomy.
- Analyzed the effect of workstation type on fatigue, stress, sleep, and physical activity in federal office workers.
- Assisted in analyses of data from a phase II clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of a custom ankle-foot orthosis device in elderly individuals with a high risk of falls. In addition, helped to assess the physical activity level using a chest-worn IMU.
K-Motion Interactive, Inc. (Part-time Technical Consultant), (Remote) - Jan. 2018-July 2018
- Developed a Kalman filter-based sensor fusion algorithm for orientation estimation using IMU sensors for golf training.
University of Houston (Research Asst. @ Dept. of Health and Human Performance), Houston, TX - Aug. 2012-Dec. 2017
- Ph.D. Dissertation: Investigated sensorimotor mechanisms underlying posture control using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electroencephalography (EEG) and developed ML-based algorithms to explore behavioral parameters (e.g., head acceleration, etc.) that can predict EEG response in a specific part of the brain during challenging posture tasks.
- Modeled differences in joint motor control performance in rapid goal-directed aiming between upper and lower limbs.
NASA Johnson Space Center (Research Intern @ Neurosciences Lab), Houston, TX - June 2014-Aug. 2016
- Evaluated the effects of galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) on balance and locomotion. GVS is proposed as a possible training modality to enhance adaptability to aid recovery after spaceflight or in clinical populations.
- Developed a test for assessing somatosensory dependence during posture control. The test can be used to design efficient, individualized training protocols to enable re-adaptation more rapidly after spaceflight or in clinical populations.
- Evaluated the effects of standing, locomotion exercise, and artificial gravity during bed rest on neuro-vestibular function.
- Analyzed pre- and post-flight data from astronauts to better understand central reorganizations due to microgravity.
Airbus Defense and Space (Practical Trainee), Friedrichshafen, Germany - Dec. 2010-Nov. 2011
- Designed a short-arm human centrifuge model for ISS in SolidWorks and carried out its structural & control analyses. Analyzed microgravity disturbance and suggested designs for auto-balancing and vibration isolation systems.
MIT (Research Asst. @ Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics), Cambridge, MA - Sept. 2008-Nov. 2010
- MS Thesis: Designed an improved helmet liner for protection against blast-induced trauma. Performed Finite Element Modeling using ABAQUS for helmet liner having channels filled with fluids or other materials.
- Modeled the effects of exercise coupled with artificial gravity to maximally stimulate antigravity muscles and bones in space.
Publications
Peer-reviewed Journal Papers (under review)
1. Goel R, Tse T, Smith LA, Floren A, Naylor B, Williams W, Salas R, Ress D, “Framework for Accurate Classification of Self-Reported Stress from Multi-Session Functional MRI Data of Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress”, revisions submitted to IEEE TBME in June 2021.
2. Goel R, Nakagome S, Paloski WH, Contreras-Vidal JL, Parikh PJ, “Prediction of Occurrence of Low Amplitude N1 Potentials Evoked by Naturally Occurring Postural Instabilities", submitted to IEEE TNSRE in June 2021.
Peer-Reviewed Journal Papers (published; 11 as a first author)
1. Goel R, Pham A, Nguyen H, Lindberg C, Gilligan B, Mehl MR, Heerwagen J, Kampschroer K, Sternberg EM, Najafi B, “Effect of workstation type on the relationship between fatigue, physical activity, stress, and sleep” J of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2021.
2. Goel R, An M, Alayrangues H, Koneshloo A, Lincoln ET, Paredes PE, “The Stress Tracker: Detecting Acute Stress from Trackpads”, J of Medical Internet Research, 2020.
3. Almajid R, Goel R, Tucker CA, Keshner EA, “Balance Confidence and Turning Behavior as a Measure of Fall Risk”, Gait & Posture, 2020.
4. Wang C, Goel R, Noun M, Ghanta RK, Najafi B, “Wearable Sensor-based Digital Biomarker to Estimate Chest Expansion during Sit-to-Stand Transitions – A Practical Tool to Improve Sternal Precautions in Patients Undergoing Median Sternotomy”, IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 2020.
5. Goel R, Nakagome S, Rao N, Paloski WH, Contreras-Vidal JL, Parikh PJ, “Fronto-parietal Brain Areas Contribute to Online Control of Posture during a Continuous Balance Task”, Neuroscience, 2019.
6. Wang C, Goel R, Zhang Q, Lepow B, Najafi B, “Daily Use of Bilateral Custom‐Made Ankle‐Foot Orthoses for Fall Prevention in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial”, J of the American Geriatrics Society, 2019.
7. Wang C, Goel R, Rahemi H, Zhang Q, Lepow B, Najafi B, “Effectiveness of Daily Use of Bilateral Custom-Made Ankle-Foot Orthoses on Balance, Fear of Falling, and Physical Activity in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial”, Gerontology, 2019.
8. Goel R, Rosenberg MJ, Cohen HS, Bloomberg JJ, Mulavara AP, “Calibrating balance perturbation using electrical stimulation of the vestibular system”, J of Neuroscience Methods, 2019.
9. Goel R, Ozdemir RA, Wood S, Reschke M, Paloski WH, “Critical Role of Somatosensation in Postural Control Following Spaceflight: Vestibularly Deficient Astronauts Are Not Able to Maintain Upright Stance During Compromised Somatosensation”, Frontiers in Physiology, 2018.
10. Goel R, Ozdemir RA, Nakagome S, Contreras-Vidal JL, Paloski WH, Parikh PJ, “Effects of speed and direction of perturbation on electroencephalographic and balance responses”, Experimental Brain Research, 2018.
11. Goel R, DeDios Y, Gadd N, Caldwell E, Peters B, Reschke M, Bloomberg JJ, Oddsson LIE, Mulavara AP, “Assessing somatosensory utilization during unipedal postural control”, Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience, 2017.
12. Goel R, Paloski WH, “Motor control performance during rapid voluntary limb movements”, J of Motor Behavior, 2016.
13. Goel R, Kofman I, Jeevarajan J, DeDios Y, Cohen H, Bloomberg J, Mulavara AP, “Using low levels of stochastic galvanic vestibular stimulation to improve balance function”, PLOS One, 2015.
14. Mulavara AP, Kofman I, DeDios YE, Miller C, Peters BT, Goel R, Galvan R, Bloomberg JJ, “Using low levels of stochastic vestibular stimulation to improve locomotor stability”, Frontiers in System Neuroscience, 2015.
15. Clément G, Bareille MP, Goel R, Linnarsson D, Mulder E, Paloski WH, Rittweger J, Wuyts FL, Zange J, “Effects of five days of bed rest with intermittent centrifugation on neurovestibular function”, J of Musculoskeletal Neuronal Interactions, 2015.
16. Goel R, Kulkarni MD, Pandya KS, Naik NK, “Stress wave micro-macro attenuation in ceramic plates made of tiles during ballistic impact”, Intl J of Mechanical Sciences, 2014.
17. Schimizze B, Son S, Goel R, Vechart A, Young LR, “An experimental and numerical study of blast-induced shock wave mitigation in sandwich structures”, Applied Acoustics, 2013.
18. Christou G, Young LR, Goel R, Vechart A, Jerusalem A, “Shock attenuation of PMMA sandwich panels filled with soda-lime glass beads: a fluid-solid interaction continuum model simulation”, Intl J of Impact Engineering, 2012.
19. Goel R, Kaderka J, Newman D, “Modeling the benefits of artificial gravity countermeasure coupled with exercise and vibration”, Acta Astronautica, 2012.
20. Gupta NK, Goel R, and Ananthkrishnan N, “Design/Development of Mini/Micro Air Vehicles through Modelling and
Simulation: Case of an autonomous quadrotor”, Defense Science J, 2011.
21. Kulkarni MD, Goel R, Naik NK, “Effect of back pressure on impact and compression after impact characteristics of composites”, Composite Structures, 2011.
22. Stewart D, Young LR, Goel R, Christou G, Gilchrist MD, “Evaluating the performance of helmet lining incorporating fluid channels”, J of ASTM Intl, 2010.
23. Naik NK, Goel R, Kulkarni MD, “Stress wave attenuation in ceramic plates”, J of Applied Physics, 2008.
Peer-Reviewed Full-Length Conference Papers (5 as a first author, presented as podium presentations)
1. Goel R, Kim LH, Liang J, Pilanci M, Paredes PE, “Linear Predictive Coding can be used for Acute Stress Prediction from Computer Mouse Movement”, under review at IEEE EMBC 2021. PrePrint available at: https://arxiv.org/abs/2010.13836
2. Derewa CS, Singh J, Josan PK, Raviprasad S, Srivastava P, Goel R, Sharma M, “Indian Space University – An initiative to nurture “Brahmanuats” for future human spaceflight”, 66th Intl Astronautical Congress, Oct 12-16, 2015, Jerusalem, Israel.
3. , Goel R, et al, “Reach2020: Tele-reach for the Global South”, Project Report at International Space University’s Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program, Adelaide, Australia, Feb 2012. (It was a class project with ~40 students. Paper was presented by Ferrete, E, at 63rd Intl Astronautical Congress, Naples, Italy, 1 - 5 Oct, 2012).
4. Goel R, Vechart A, Christou G, Young LR, “Development of a Helmet Liner for Protection against Blast Induced Trauma”, IMPLAST 2010, SEM Fall Conf, 12 – 14 Oct, 2010, Providence, RI.
5. Goel R, Kaderka J, Newman D, “Modeling the Benefits of Artificial Gravity Countermeasure Coupled with Exercise and Vibration”, 61st Intl Astronautical Congress, 27 Sept – 1 Oct, 2010, Prague, Czech Rep.
6. Cunio PM, Babuscia A, Bailey ZJ, Chaurasia H, Goel, R, Golkar AA, Selva D, Timmons E, Cohanim BE, Hoffman JA, Miller DW, “Initial Development of an Earth-Based Prototype for a Lunar Hopper Autonomous Exploration System”, AIAA Space 2009 Conf, Pasadena, 14 - 17 Sept, 2009, California.
7. Goel R, Gupta NK, Ananthkrishnan N, “Modeling, Simulation and Flight Testing of an Autonomous Quadrotor”, IISc Centenary Intl Conf and Exhibition on Aerospace Engineering, 18 - 22 May, 2009, Bangalore, India.
8. Goel R, Kulkarni MD, Naik NK, “Stress Wave Attenuation in Ceramic Plates”, 16th Intl Conf on Composite Materials, 8 - 13 July, 2007, Kyoto, Japan.
Conference Abstracts/Podium Presentations
1. Mulavara AP, Peters B, DeDios YE, Gadd NE, Caldwell EE, Batson CD, Goel R, Oddsson LI, Kreutzberg G, Zanello S, Clark T, Waddington G, Oman CM, Cohen HS, Wood S, Seidler RD, Reschke M, Bloomberg JJ, “Behavioral, Brain Imaging and Genomic Measures to Predict Functional Outcomes Post – Bed Rest and Spaceflight”, 2018 HRPIWS, Jan 22-25, 2018, Galveston, TX.
2. Mulavara AP, Peters B, DeDios YE, Gadd NE, Caldwell EE, Batson CD, Goel, R, Oddsson LI, Kreutzberg G, Zanello S, Clark T, Oman CM, Cohen HS, Wood S, Seidler RD, Reschke M, Bloomberg JJ, “Behavioral, Brain Imaging and Genomic Measures to Predict Functional Outcomes Post – Bed Rest and Spaceflight”, 2017 HRPIWS, Jan 23-26, Galveston, TX.
3. Mulavara AP, DeDios YE, Gadd NE, Caldwell EE, Batson CD, Goel R, Seidler RD, Oddsson LI, Zanello S, Clark T, Peters B, Cohen HS, Reschke M, Wood S, Bloomberg JJ, “Behavioral, Brain Imaging and Genomic Measures to Predict Functional Outcomes Post – Bed Rest and Spaceflight”, 2016 HRPIWS, Feb 8-11, 2016, Galveston, TX.
4. Bloomberg JJ, Peters BT, Mulavara AP, Caldwell EE, Batson CD, DeDios YE, Gadd NE, Goel R, Wood SJ, Cohen HS, Oddsson LI, Seidler RD, “Predictive Measures of Locomotor Performance on an Unstable Walking Surface”, 2016 HRPIWS, Feb 8-11, 2016, Galveston, TX.
5. Goel R, Kofman I, DeDios Y, Jeevarajan J, Stepanyan V, Nair M, Congdon S, Fregia M, Cohen H, Bloomberg J, Mulavara, AP, “Estimation of an Optimal Stimulus Amplitude for Using Vestibular Stochastic Stimulation to Improve Balance Function”, 86th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Aerospace Medical Association, May 10-14, 2015, Lake Buena Vista, FL.
6. Mulavara AP, Kofman I, DeDios Y, Galvan R, Goel R, Miller C, Peters B, Cohen HS, Jeevarajan J, Reschke M, Wood S, Bergquist F, Seidler RD, Bloomberg JJ, “Improving Sensorimotor Adaptation Following Long-Duration Spaceflight by Enhancing Vestibular Information Transfer”, 2015 HRPIWS, Jan 13-15, 2015, Galveston, TX.
7. Goel R, Kofman I, DeDios Y, Jeevarajan J, Stepanyan V, Nair M, Congdon S, Fregia M, Cohen H, Bloomberg J, Mulavara, AP, “Determine Optimal Stimulus Amplitude for Using Vestibular Stochastic Stimulation to Improve Balance Function”, 2nd Intl Space Conf, 8-9 Jan 2015, Noida, India.
8. Young LR, Goel R, "Helmet Lining Incorporating Channels", F27 Snow Skiing ASTM Meet, Jul 13-14, 2010, Burlington, VT.
9. Son S, Young L, Christou G, Goel R, Alley M, "Blast Mitigation for Protection against Blast Induced Trauma, DHS Blast Mitigation Workshop, Apr 30, 2009, Kingston, RI.
Conference Abstracts/Poster Presentations
1. Goel R, Parikh PJ, “Interpretable Machine Learning Models for Prediction of Imminent Falls”, 2021 Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop, Feb 1-4, 2021 (virtual).
2. Kang GE, Nguyen H, Zahiri M, Zhou H, Wang C, Goel R, Najafi B, “Characteristics of the gait initiation phase in older adults with diabetic peripheral neuropathy”, GSA 2019, 13-17 Nov, 2019, Austin, TX.
3. Qureshi A, Goel R, Kim JH, de la Rosa N, Himmelbach M, Hagber G, Scheffler D, Ress D, “Somatosensory Responses in the Deep Layers of Superior Colliculus”, Neuroscience 2019, 19-24 Oct, 2019, Chicago, IL.
4. Tse T, Goel R, Floren A, Salas R, Naylor B, Ress D, "Decoding Stress Levels obtained from fMRI data in a Virtual Reality Environment”, Neuroscience 2019, 19-24 Oct, 2019, Chicago, IL.
5. Wang C, Goel R, Lepow B, Najafi B, "Long-term Effects of Custom-made Ankle-foot Orthoses (AFO) on Balance in Older Adults –One Year Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial", GCMAS 2019, 26-29 Mar, 2019, Frisco, TX.
6. Goel R, Nakagome S, Ozdemir RA, Rao N, Contreras-Vidal JL, Parikh PJ, “Role of Supplementary Motor Area in Postural Control”, Neuroscience 2017, 11-15 Nov, 2017, Washington DC.
7. Nakagome S, Goel R, Parikh PJ, Contreras-Vidal JL, “Modulation of fronto-parietal networks during adjustments to challenging postural conditions”, Neuroscience 2017, 11-15 Nov, 2017, Washington DC.
8. Goel R, Rosenberg MJ, DeDios YE, Cohen HS, Bloomberg JJ, Mulavara AP, “Estimation of Optimal Amplitude for Balance Training using Electrical Stimulation of the Vestibular System”, 2017 HRPIWS, Jan 23-26, 2017, Galveston, TX.
9. Goel R, Rosenberg MJ, DeDios YE, Cohen HS, Bloomberg JJ, Mulavara AP, “Estimation of Optimal Amplitude for Balance Training using Electrical Stimulation of the Vestibular System”, Neuroscience 2016, 12-16 Nov, 2016, San Diego, CA.
10. Goel R, DeDios Y, Gadd N, Bloomberg J, Oddsson LIE, Mulavara AP, “Development of a Reliable Protocol to test Proprioceptive Dependency in Postural Control”, 2016 HRPIWS, Feb 8-11, 2016, Galveston, TX
11. Madansingh S, Goel R, Kabbaligere R, Paloski WH, “Running in circles: A novel approach to artificial gravity”, 36th Annual Intl Gravitational Physiology Meeting, June 7 – 12, 2015, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
12. Goel R, Kofman I, DeDios Y, Jeevarajan J, Stepanyan V, Nair M, Congdon S, Fregia M, Cohen H, Bloomberg J, Mulavara AP, “Optimal Stimulus Amplitude for Vestibular Stochastic Stimulation to Improve Balance Function”, 2015 HRPIWS, Jan 13-15, 2015, Galveston, TX.
Awards and Recognition
- Scholarship from American Society of Indian Engineers Houston, Nov 2013, 2014
- Scholarship from American Society of Engineers of Indian Origin, Sep 2014
- Graduate Fellowship for the outstanding incoming student at the College, University of Houston Fall 2012-Spring 2013
- Silver Medal - Awarded by the then President of India (Smt. Pratibha Patil) for the most outstanding student in the graduating batch of Aerospace engineering in college, Aug 2008
Service to Profession
- Guest Associate Editor: Frontiers in Neural Circuits and Frontiers in Physiology (Research Topic: Brains in Space)
- Review Editor: Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (sections: Motor Neuroscience, and Human Neuroscience Archive), Frontiers in Neuroscience (section: Neuroprosthetics), Frontiers in Psychology and Frontiers in Sports and Active Living (section: Movement Science and Sport Psychology), Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience
- Reviewed 105 manuscripts multiple times submitted to the following 38 journals: ACM IMWUT, ACM UBICOMP, Aerospace Medicine Human Performance, Applied Sciences, Brain Sciences, Cerebral Cortex, Clinical Biomechanics, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, Frontiers in NeuroRobotics, Frontiers in Neuroscience, Frontiers in Physiology, Frontiers in Psychology, Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience, Gait & Posture, Gerontology, Health and Technology, IEEE Access, Intl. J. of Environmental Research & Public Health, Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, Journal of Arthroplasty, Journal of Behavioral Robotics, Journal of Biomechanics, Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, Journal of Low-Frequency Noise Vibration and Active Control, Journal of Motor Behavior, Journal of Neurophysiology, Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, Medicina, Motor Control, Nature Scientific Reports, Neural Networks, PeerJ, PLOS One, Sensors
- Reviewer of posters at NASA HRP IWS (Jan 2018, Jan 2019, Galveston, TX)
- Reviewed ~70 conference abstracts for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA)
- Panelist, Humans in Space Panel, Comicpalooza July 2016, Houston
- Judge, Mars Rover competition for middle and elementary school children held every year at UH in January (2013-2016)
- Panelist, Developing Regions, and Space Applications, Space Generation Fusion Forum, Apr 2012, Colorado Springs, CO
- Assisted with Sally-ride educational outreach events at MIT
Current/Past Professional Memberships
- Currently active: Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), Association of India’s Development (AID)
- To be renewed: Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), Society of Neuroscience (SfN), American Society of Biomechanics (ASB), American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA)
Spaceflight Analog Experience (Two weeks each)
- NASA Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) Flight Engineer, Aug 2015, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
- Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) Mechanical Engineer, Dec 2009, Utah
Skills/Tools
Biomedical research, neuromodulation, non-invasive stimulation (TMS, GVS), non-invasive brain monitoring (fMRI, EEG), electromyography (EMG), force and load sensors, inertial measurement units (IMUs), wearables, MATLAB, Python, signal processing, artificial gravity, machine learning (ML), statistics, digital health, non-invasive & discreet health monitoring.