Susana B. Zanello, Ph.D.
Scientist
susana.b.zanello@nasa.gov

Dr. Zanello obtained both her BS (1989) and PhD (1994) degrees in Biology from the National University of the South in Bahía Blanca, Argentina. Her postdoctoral work at Boston University School of Medicine focused in various aspects of the vitamin D endocrine system and circadian biology in skin. Later, she developed her expertise in ophthalmology, studying early molecular mechanisms of diabetic retinopathy at the Schepens Eye Institute in Boston. From 2004 until 2007, at the Department of Ophthalmology of the University of Arizona, Tucson, she studied the role of cell-cell adhesion proteins and their influence in the paracellular flow of aqueous humor in glaucoma. Currently at the Human Adaptation and Countermeasures Division of JSC, her research interests include the effects of space flight simulated microgravity and oxygenation conditions on retinal health and the potential enhancement of heat response pathways as a countermeasure to protect against the wide array of stressors existing in space exploration scenarios.