Travis Nelson

Space Studies 512 - Human Performance in Extreme Environments

Space Studies 515 - Human Factors in Spaceflight Operations

Space Studies 501 - Survey of Space Studies I (co-taught)

Space Studies 502 - Survey of Space Studies II (co-taught)

• Human Factors of Autonomous Systems
  
  • Multi-Domain Operations: Surface, Maritime, Air, and Space
  • NSI and Defense Applications
  • Data-Driven Decision Making via Wearable Sensors
  • Humanoid Social Interaction and Artificial Intelligence Applications
  • Operator Cognitive Workload, Performance, and Resilience
  • Human-Autonomy Teaming
  • Digital Twin Virtual Reality Training
  • UAS Detection and Analysis
  • Models of Aerospace Workforce Integration

• Human Factors of Analog Simulations and Spaceflight
  • Psychological Effects and Adaptations
    • Extreme Environments and Survivability
    • Terrestrial Simulations and Habitat Fidelity
    • Neurocognitive and Physiological Monitoring in Isolation and Confinement
    • Operator Wellness and Coping Strategies
    • Mixed Methods Assessment of Stress, Anxiety, Fatigue, and Flight Readiness
  • Physiological Effects and Adaptations to Spaceflight
    • Career Ionizing Radiation Effects and Countermeasures
    • Bone Mineral Density Loss
    • Muscle and Cardiovascular Atrophy
    • Cephalad Fluid Shifting and Spaceflight Associated Neuro-occular Syndrome
    • Neuro-vestibular Conflict and Orbital Adaptation

Nelson, T. (2025). Evaluating human factors in isolation & confinement during analog spaceflight: A decadal survey assessing crew performance. ProQuest.

Crisman, K., & Nelson, T. (2024). Modified hierarchy of needs methodology for space systems architecture within human-centered design. International Journal for the Advancement of Space Safety.

Nelson, T., Leon, G., & de León, P. (2021). Stress and coping methods in simulated analogs. International Conference on Environmental Systems.

Mullen, C., Chi, Y., Delorme, A., Cagle, R., Rask, N., Nelson, T. M., de León, P., & Cripe, C. (2018). Feasibility of neurocognitive and physiological monitoring using dry wearable sensors within an ICE during a 14-day simulated Lunar/Martian mission.

Leon, G., Nelson, T., & Halverson, H. (2017). Personality, work performance, and coping patterns in an analog Mars environment. International Astronautical Congress Proceedings.

Nelson, T. (2015). 30-day planetary habitation analog: Analysis of crew behavioral health in ICE. ProQuest.

Presentations

NASA Human Research Program - Annual Investigators Workshop
2025: Extreme Environments/Analogs Panelist for Human Factors
2021: Psychophysiological Measurement in Pressurized Garments and Habitats
2020: Space Psychology in isolation and confinement, behavioral management in analog simulations
2018: Developing a High Fidelity Planetary Analog Habitat in North Dakota

Space Symposium, Colorado Springs, 2023. Title: Space Analogs at UND.

Space Education and Strategic Applications Conference, 2022. Panelist: Psychophysiology of Crew Performance in Austere Environments.
 
International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2019. Title: Stress and Coping During Simulated EVAs and Habitat Living.

International Astronautical Congress. Toronto, Ontario. October 2014. Title: Physiological Benchmark Assessments of a 10-day Lunar/Martian Analog crew.

NASA Space Grant Conference, Washington, D.C., February 2014. Title: Human Spaceflight Systems at UND in Support of Future NASA's Analog Training Activities.

North Dakota EPSCOR/IDEA 2014 State Conference. Title: Dynamic Stress Analysis and Countermeasure Development for Human Operators

University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, Space Research Student Seminar, 2014. Title: Emergency Spaceflight Operations in Crew Capsules and ISS Conditions

Certifications

CITI - Human Research Group 2. Social / Behavioral Research Investigators and Key Personnel

CITI - Biomedical Responsible Conduct of Research

Awards

Al and Beulah Hilstrom Aerospace Scholarship, 2024

Content Contributions for Regional Emmy: UND Aerospace “Welcome to Mars, ND”, 2023.

James Ray Foundation Aerospace Scholarship, 2014

Space Studies Graduate Student of the Year, 2014

Ph.D., Aerospace Sciences, University of North Dakota, 2025

M.S., Space Studies, University of North Dakota, 2015

B.S., Psychology, University of North Dakota, 2011