Crew 121 - Embry-Riddle

Ch

elsea Iwig - COMMANDER

Chelsea is a graduate student in the Human Factors and Systems department at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The focus of her research is on optimizing crew cohesion during long duration space flight (LDSF). She is currently focused on developing a reliable measure for monitoring team function during LDSF. Chelsea graduated from Embry-Riddle with a B.S. in Aerospace Studies in 2011.

Chelsea completed an internship at Johnson Space Center during the summer of 2012. Her internship was through the National Space Biomedical Research Institute summer internship program for students pursuing life science related majors. She spent the summer conducting biomechanics research in the Exercise Physiology and Countermeasures Lab.

Chelsea is a Kansas native and she attributes her passion for space exploration in large part to her experiences at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center space camps, which she attended as a child and where she has also worked as a camp counselor.

Gisela Muñoz - CREW ENGINEERGisela is a graduate student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the Human Factors & Systems department. Her research interests include spaceflight human factors, habitability of future space vehicles, and team composition of future space missions. She holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Human Factors from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. In her spare time, Gisela enjoys travelling and reading.

She completed a four term co-op with United Space Alliance at NASA Kennedy Space Center from 2008-2010 working in the Flight Crew Systems Engineering group. Her responsibilities included stowing equipment and supplies for astronaut missions in the Space Shuttle Program.

Carolyn Newton - CREW XO (EXECUTIVE OFFICER)Carolyn is studying Human Factors Psychology at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She is from Spring Hill, Florida and is the youngest of five children.  In her free-time she likes to perform music, drive her Corolla, go to the beach with friends, and spend time with her niece and nephew. 

She is focused on her future career and is passionate about higher education for everyone.  Carolyn plans to earn her Ph.D. in Human Factors while participating in as many internships and research projects she can find. 

Eric Watkins - CREW JOURNALISTEric is currently working towards his major in Human Factors Psychology at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU). Relying on his background in graphic design, along with his computer expertise, he wants to bring a different outlook in the field of Human Factors. Freshman year, he worked as a Public Relations Officer in multiple organizations while volunteering as a Graphic Designer. Before returning to his second year, the summer of 2012, he took on a Communications intern with the DC Arts & Humanities Education Collaborative. As an intern, he assisted the staff with a variety of tasks related to programming, development, or communications to further the mission and increase arts education in DC public and chartered public schools. As a returning Undergraduate student at ERAU, he is self-motivated, enthusiastic, and is always looking forward to working with his peers.

Jason Kring - CREW DIRECTOR 

Jason Kring was born in Littleton, Colorado and currently resides in Florida where he is an Assistant Professor in the Human Factors and Systems Department at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. He received his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, his M.S. in Experimental Psychology from Emporia State University, and Ph.D. in Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology from the University of Central Florida. 

At Embry-Riddle, Jason teaches courses on human factors in space, human performance in extreme environments, and human factors design for aeronautical and space systems. His research efforts focus on small team performance, human factors in spaceflight, and the application of simulation and game-based training for military and space teams. He is currently developing methods for monitoring the function and performance of teams during long-duration space missions. Jason also works with the Space Frontier Foundation’s “Teachers in Space” program to promote education in science, technology, engineering, and math and organizes an annual workshop on space medicine and human factors for high school teachers.

In his free time, Jason enjoys running, trying to play guitar, and learning about dinosaurs from his six-year-old daughter. He lives in Orlando with his wife, daughter, and mini Australian Shepherds, Luke and Kenobi.

Jungman Seo (Amy) - CREW SCIENTIST/GREENHAB

Jungmin Seo is originally from Kyung Ggi-Do, South Korea and came to the United States in 2009 to attend school at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Jungmin is currently an undergraduate student working on a dual major in the Aerospace Engineering and Human Factors Psychology at Embry-Riddle. She has passion for psychology and human studies as well as engineering, and wants to bridge the gap between engineering and human factors for more user-centered aviation industry. The focus of her research at the Mars Desert Research Station is the effect of gardening activities on reduction of human stress levels in an isolated-confined environment. In her spare time, she likes to read, run, and go fishing.