Seeking to empower organizations and researchers in the study of
human sexual health, behavior, and reproductive factors
as they apply to outer space environments.

"Quod Filii Nostri Ut Vivant Inter Astra"

OUR MISSION:

Conduct and support research and data analysis of human reproduction, sexual health, and behavioral factors as they apply to outer space environments, and develop viable solutions for mitigation of challenges facing human sexual performance and safe, successful reproduction in those environments.

SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT COUNCIL

Gabrielle Caswell, MBBS

CEO, SpacePort Australia,

Space Medicine Researcher & Physician

James Logan, MD, MS

Former NASA Chief of Flight Medicine

& Chief of Medical Operations,

Johnson Space Center

Olivia Lesslar, MBBS

CEO, Lifespan Medicine Australia

& Psychoneuroimmunologist

Rowena Christiansen, MBBS

Space & Extreme Medicine Physician,

University of Melbourne

& Ad Astra Vita Project

Egbert Edelbroek, PhD

CEO, SpaceBorn United Inc.

Rick Tumlinson

Founder, Earthlight Foundation,

SpaceFund & New Worlds Institute

Casie Lane Millhouse

Venture Partner, Beyond Earth Technologies,

Virtual & Augmented Reality Specialist

Inara Tabir

President, Multiplanetary Society

Victoria Hartmann, PhD

Clinical/Forensic Sexologist

& Sex Researcher

David Goldsmith, MBA

Founder, Project Moon Hut Foundation,

CEO, MearthCorp

Mike Mongo

Blue Origin Astronaut & Author,

The Astronaut Instruction Manual

John Spencer, MA

President, Space Tourism Society

& Outer Space Architect

Adam Cohen, JD, MS

Legal Counsel

Mark Finckle, MBA

Investment & Finance Advisor

Javin Pierce

CEO, ORBITA-Pierce Instruments,

& Biomedical Engineer

OUR TEAM

ASRI
DIRECTOR

Dr. Alexander Layendecker is the founder and current Director of ASRI. He is a 2008 graduate of the United

States Air Force Academy and served seven years as a USAF space operations officer for spacecraft launch and recovery, before transferring to the USAF Reserve as an HH-60G helicopter pilot for Combat Search and Rescue. He completed a Master of Public Health (2013) and PhD in Human Sexuality (2016) from the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality, where his doctoral research focused on human sexuality and reproduction in off-Earth environments, the history of research in this area, and the research gaps that must be filled in the future in order to make long-term settlement of other worlds a viable possibility. He also holds a Master of Joint Warfare (2024) from the USAF Air University’s Air Command and Staff College, for which his thesis focused on future Space Rescue operations. He has been featured as a guest speaker on a multitude of popular podcasts such as The Space Show, The Space Revolution, and Age of Infinite, as well as at various conferences to include SXSW, International Space Development Conference (ISDC), ASCEND, and New Worlds. His work has also been featured in numerous media publications and books to include A City on Mars, The Big Book of Mars, and Star Settlers: The Billionaires, Geniuses, and Crazed Visionaries Out to Conquer the Universe.

CHIEF OF
SPACE MEDICINE

Dr. Shawna Pandya is a globally-renowned astronaut, physician, scientist, aquanaut, and speaker. She is the

Director of the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS) Space Medicine Group, and was selected as IIAS Astronaut 002 in June 2024. She is a clinical lecturer at the University of Alberta, emergency and primary care physician, subject matter expert in space medicine, and analog and extreme environment researcher. She has co-authored a book chapter on sexuality and reproduction in long-duration spaceflight with Dr. Layendecker, and has served as a keynote speaker on the topic for media, podcasts and conferences. She has served as the Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator for numerous space-based biomedical and physical sciences experiments for Virgin Galactic, SpaceX, Polaris Dawn, Axiom, Blue Origin, the International Space Station, and the Jules Undersea Lodge underwater habitat. Her additional publications include a paper on medical guidelines for commercial suborbital spaceflight, and book chapters on space technologies that have benefited terrestrial medicine and psychological resilience in long-duration spaceflight. She has presented her work at the International Astronautical Congress, the NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop, the Aerospace Medical Association Conference, the Next-Generation Suborbital Researchers’ Conference, the International Space Development Conference, the World Extreme Medicine Conference, among others. In 2019, her career and trajectory were captured at the Ontario Science Center’s “Canadian Women in Space” exhibit, where Dr. Pandya is permanently exhibited alongside Dr. Roberta Bondar, the first Canadian woman in space. She was also named one of the Women’s Executive Network’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada and a Canadian Space Agency Space Ambassador. Dr. Pandya has also been a multi-year finalist for the IIAS’s “Awesome PoSSUM” Award for contributing to the strength and development of that organization, and was the Association of Spaceflight Professionals 2019 “Contributor of the Year.” In 2022, she was named one of the Explorers’ Club’s “50 Explorers Changing the World,” listed as #5 on the 2022 Top 100 Women in Aviation and Aerospace to Follow on LinkedIn, and named to the Destination Canada 2022 Empowerlist. In 2023, she was named to The SustainabilityX Magazine’s “Global 50 Women in Sustainability,” for her work in Social Inclusion.

CHIEF OF
PSYCHOSOCIAL MEDICINE

Dr. Simon Dubé is a Research Fellow at the Kinsey Institute, an Affiliate Professor in the Department of

Sexology at the Université du Québec à Montréal, and the Scientific Director for the International Sexual Health & Wellness Research Institute. He is a Research Psychologist specializing in human sexuality, erobotics, and space sexology: respectively, the study of human-machine erotic interaction and the study of intimacy and sexuality beyond Earth. He co-authored The Case for Space Sexology and Sexual Health in Space: A 5-Year Scoping Review. His PhD studies/doctoral work was funded by the Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Santé (FRQS), and his postdoctoral research was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Beyond his academic expertise, Dr. Dubé has been involved in the media to help the public, the scientific community, and governments recognize the importance of considering human eroticism as we venture deeper and longer into space and aim to settle new worlds. This includes journal, radio, TV, and docuseries interviews, including the French docuseries Sexe+Techno and Werner and Rudolf Herzog’s Discovery+ documentary, Last Exit: Space.

CHIEF OF
OPERATIONS

Tamar Valdman, M.S., was the Communications Manager at Woodpile Studios, an award-winning

firm in Washington, DC, where she worked on a multi-million dollar, multi-year contract for the US Department of Veterans Affairs. She then served as the Chief Business Development Officer for Agrio, an international agtech startup that assists farmers in low-income nations, and held the role of Chief of Staff for two startups. Tamar is currently a Communications Consultant in industries ranging from longevity to cryptocurrency. She holds a Master of Science degree in social work from Columbia University and a bachelor's degree in psychology. Additionally, Tamar co-authored a published manuscript that was the first to measure cognitive changes in approach and avoidance motivations towards oneself and others following social rejection.

Solar_eclipse_of_August_21,_2017_(36779454505)_edited.jpg

“Sex in space is not about going somewhere else to have sex. It’s ultimately about expanding beyond

our immediate neighborhood, into a Universe to which we belong.”

- Vanna Bonta

CHIEF OF
STRATEGY & FINANCE

Michael Connelly is a graduate from Miami University as a member of the Class of 2016, and attended

school on a service scholarship for his fundraising efforts for various organizations. Michael began working out of college doing government contract compliance and working closely with his COO to ensure that all prevailing wage and financial requirements were met on projects exceeding $20 million. This involved coordinating directly with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio Department of Transportation to ensure that all projects were being managed properly with all parties having their payrolls adjusted correctly to the prevailing wage laws set forth. Michael began working for Charity Brands, a company which has raised $13 billion for charities over the past 25 years, eventually rising to become the Vice President. During his time there he was able to work hand-in-hand with the Director of American Society/Council of the Americas (AS/COA) to co-host a symposium on the importance of philanthropic giving for their board. Following his success at Charity Brands, he was able to obtain his own affiliate from the company, becoming Co-Chair/Co-CEO of Charity Brands Universal. With expertise in strategy and fundraising, Michael is dedicated to advancing philanthropic efforts through innovation on this planet and beyond.

CHIEF OF
MEDIA PRODUCTION

Cheryl Gallagher, known professionally as Madhavi Devi, is a multifaceted artist and musician who has

made significant and unique contributions to the fields of ambient electronic music and visual arts. She is also known as a strong advocate in the aerospace community for human cultural evolution through her published articles, produced videos and mission project support for various space organizations using her versatile skills in contributing to positive and advanced human physical and cultural development in space. Cheryl Gallagher has a Master’s Degree in Adult Education with a focus on Program Administration, she also has expertise and versatile skills in many digital creative production environments in audio/visual production, social media platforms, website design and various AI tools. She is an active member of a number of professional arts organizations, the Int’l Association of Artists, the Int’l Association of Aeronautical Artists, and a voting member of the Recording Academy (the Grammys). Her work, characterized by its spiritual depth and transcendental qualities, has earned her awards and recognition within the New Age and ambient music communities, as well as the creative arts community and professional space community. Madhavi Devi’s commitment to personal and collective evolution is evident in both her art and her advocacy. She is deeply involved in promoting human cultural evolution, particularly in the context of space exploration, where she sees an opportunity for humanity to transcend its current limitations in the outer space environments planned in the future. She supports organizations dedicated to this overall vision, in general as well as research of specific aspects of human evolution, such as reproduction in space. Based in Austin, Texas, Madhavi Devi continues to inspire others through her diverse creative practices, which serve as bridges between ancient spiritual traditions and contemporary artistic and scientific cultural expression. For more information, visit Madhavi Devi’s official website www.madhavidevi.com

FILM MEDIA &
VIDEOGRAPHY

Giulianna Gasparotto is a versatile filmmaker and media developer whose expertise spans acting,

writing, directing, and producing across a diverse range of projects. Her achievements extend into the innovative intersection of art and technology, and her work has been recognized at NASA’s Space Apps Challenge, where her AI-driven short film inspired by the James Webb Space Telescope earned the award for Art and Technology. Additionally, her team’s Exo Explorers web app game., created to educate and inspire high schoolers about space exploration and exoplanets, won the award for Best Use of Technology. These accomplishments exemplify her ability to merge innovation with storytelling, crafting narratives and interactive experiences that engage and inspire. A skilled videographer, Giulianna captures the energy of live events with precision and creativity. Her expertise in behind-the-scenes (BTS) photography showcases her unique talent for visual storytelling, both on and off set. Her debut film, Ellie, which she wrote, directed, produced, and starred in, showcases her multifaceted talent, while her role as the lead actress in a Proof of Concept film highlights her ability to bring compelling narratives to life. As an assistant director (AD), Giulianna has contributed to projects that have earned award nominations, ensuring seamless production workflows and fostering creative collaboration. In addition to her work in film and media production, Giulianna is a passionate entrepreneur. Her ventures include AlterX AI, a startup concept designed to empower individuals to explore their creativity through accessible AI tools, reflecting her commitment to combining art and technology. Giulianna’s artistic vision centers on inspiring people to dream big and expand humanity’s future. Through narratives that explore the intersection of science, innovation, and creativity, she strives to educate, connect, spark meaningful change, and leave a lasting impact—encouraging audiences to unlock their potential and embrace the extraordinary opportunities that lie ahead. At ASRI, Giulianna leverages her storytelling and media expertise to communicate groundbreaking research. She crafts narratives that amplify ASRI’s mission, inspiring curiosity about humanity’s potential in space exploration and fostering public engagement with the Institute’s pioneering work.

CHIEF OF

PUBLICATIONS

Ryn Yee, MAppSci, is a former ESOL teacher passionate about heritage language retention and

revitalization with experience in both nonprofit and corporate communications as well as various roles within creative and academic publications. Ryn’s written work has appeared in several online magazines, journals, and charity anthologies, including the SFRA Review. Upon moving from the US to Aotearoa, New Zealand, Ryn was accepted to and completed a Graduate Diploma in Publishing (Applied) and has since worked on over forty books in various capacities. They are also currently an associate editor for the short story YA SFF podcast, Cast of Wonders, which has been shortlisted for multiple awards in 2024. After the lockdowns eased, Ryn was accepted to the Science Communications program at the University of Otago with a focus on Creative Nonfiction. Their work within the program allowed them to explore the intersection of reproductive choice and technology, the science and social stigma of STIs and blood donation in the queer community, telemedicine and technology in rehabilitation, under Covid-19 lockdown, and from space. Their thesis explored the benefits of applying bioastronautics and health research to patients on Earth.

RESEARCH FELLOWS