Marguerite Sognier, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist
marguerite.a.sognier@nasa.gov

Marguerite Sognier, Ph.D. is a graduate of Jacksonville University, Tulane University and The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Science at the UT Health Sciences Center in Houston. Dr. Sognier joined USRA in 1997 working onsite at the Johnson Space Center. Most recently, her research has focused on the development of novel, medically related technology as part of an ongoing inter-directorate collaboration between Space Life Sciences and Engineering. This new technology will be used to enable future manned space exploration missions to the Moon and Mars and has also involved the development and use of a variety of tissue-equivalent, three-dimensional models. Her most recent active research projects include: 1) development of novel, no drill dental procedures for the treatment of caries and pulpal disease; 2) rapid wound sealing without the use of sutures/staples; and 3) determining the effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic fields as a countermeasure for muscle atrophy and bone loss. She is a faculty member at The University of Texas Medical Branch and was the major professor for a Ph.D. student from UTMB who recently completed her degree.  Dr. Sognier also recently served as an advisor for a NASA postdoctoral fellow.

In addition to her research at JSC, she is the Director of the Office of Educational Outreach at UTMB in Galveston where she leads the effort to develop and implement novel, exciting educational programs focused on promoting interest in science among students, educators and the community. In 2007, she was instrumental in establishing the Southeast Regional T-STEM Center at UTMB which provides educational programs targeting the improvement of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education in grades K-16. She currently serves as a co-Director of this Center.