Indian-origin physician and former NASA medical leader Ronak V. Shah has been named the inaugural chair of the University of Texas Medical Branch’s new Department of Aerospace and Exploration Medicine.
The department, established within UTMB’s School of Public and Population Health, will expand the university’s work in protecting human health during aviation, spaceflight and other forms of exploration. UTMB has trained aerospace medicine professionals for more than three decades and operates one of only two accredited civilian aerospace medicine residency programs in the United States.
Shah has directed UTMB’s Aerospace Medicine Division since February 2022, overseeing its educational, business and strategic operations. He also leads a multidisciplinary group of more than 30 physicians and scientists who provide space medicine and research expertise in support of NASA missions.
Before taking his current university leadership role, Shah spent several years at NASA in clinical care, research and space medicine operations. He served as medical director of clinical services in the agency’s Space Medicine Operations Division from 2017 to 2022. His responsibilities included supporting the astronaut corps and health services at Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Shah previously contributed to NASA’s Human Research Program and supported astronauts training in Russia and at the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory. He also served as president of the Society of NASA Flight Surgeons. NASA recognized his work during the COVID-19 pandemic with an Exceptional Achievement Medal and a director’s commendation.
A graduate of UTMB’s Aerospace Medicine Residency, Shah is board certified in aerospace medicine and internal medicine. He holds master’s degrees in public health and business administration in addition to his medical training.
As chair, Shah will guide research, education and collaboration addressing the medical challenges created by distance, isolation, limited resources and extreme environments. The department will also expand beyond spaceflight. UTMB plans to launch an Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Fellowship in 2027, connecting research into high-pressure underwater environments with the physiological demands of altitude and space.
The appointment places an Indian-origin physician at the head of a new American academic department designed to help prepare people for the next era of government, commercial and international exploration.
Key Takeaways About Ronak Shah
- He is the department’s inaugural chair.
- He previously led UTMB’s Aerospace Medicine Division.
- He served as a NASA medical director from 2017 to 2022.
- His team provides medical and research expertise supporting NASA.
- He received NASA’s Exceptional Achievement Medal.
