2024 Spaceflight Human Optimization & Performance Summit (SHOP-24)

Corey Twine, MS, CSCS   
Co-Director, SHOP-24

Corey Twine is an Astronaut Strength, Conditioning and Rehabilitation (ASCR) Specialist at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) for KBR's Government Solutions U.S. Science and Space Business Unit. Prior to this role, Mr. Twine served as a strength and conditioning coach for the Army Special Forces as a part of the Preservation of the Force and Family contract at KBR. He also supported astronauts during the shuttle era, acting as the primary ASCR for several shuttle missions, including STS 114 "Return to Flight" in 2005. Since returning to KBR in 2018, Mr. Twine has worked extensively on projects spanning the design and implementation of mission-specific strength and conditioning programs for individuals in obscure environments.

William E. Amonette, PhD, CSCS
Co-Director, SHOP-24

William (Bill) Amonette, Ph.D., is the executive director of the Health and Human Performance Institute (HHPI). In this role he serves as the chief science officer for HHPI, leading the vision and the strategic direction for research, programming, and educational outreach. Amonette is also a tenured associate professor of exercise science; his research identifies physiologic and mechanical factors that may predict or limit human performance in populations ranging from professional and Olympic athletes to patients with chronic diseases or neurologic injuries.

MAJ. Danielle Anderson, DPT, DSc
MSK for Spaceflight and DOD Liaison

Major Danielle Anderson is a Physical Therapist currently assigned to Johnson Space Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration. She delivers a spectrum of neuromusculoskeletal care preparing and supporting both U.S and International Astronauts for long duration space flight aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Additionally, she provides consultation and management recommendations to Crew and Deputy Crew Flight Surgeons working neuromusculoskeletal conditions on board the ISS. She serves as the Air Force's liaison to the Military Musculoskeletal residency, a tri-service one-year Physical Therapy residency, where she oversees admittance, regional instruction, and successful program completion of Air Force, Army and Navy Physical Therapists.

Ariful I. Bhuiyan, PhD

Ariful Bhuiyan, Ph.D. is an assistant professor of Mechanical Engineering in the College of Science and Engineering and a senior scientist and engineer in the HHPI. In this role, he collaborates with the team on biomechanics related research and product development across all four centers and leads the Center for Performance Innovation. Leveraging his computational (finite element analysis), experimental, and image analysis skills, Dr. Bhuiyan’s current research investigates biomedical devices and mechanisms of sport-related injuries. A recent award from Barrios Technology recognizes his early-stage promising research on total knee replacements. His other additive manufacturing-driven spinal fusion project generates an intriguing set of data that will help further research to relieve back pain.

Joseph B. Hazzard, EdD, ATC

Joseph Hazzard, Ed.D., ATC is the Clinical Director of the Health & Human Performance Institute. In this role he serves as a senior leader on the Board of Directors for HHPI, oversees all clinical operations, supervises graduate and undergraduate students, and works to integrate and develop research and clinical programs for the Institute. Dr. Hazzard brings more than 30 years of experience to HHPI as a clinician, teacher, and scholar in sports medicine and rehabilitation. His career includes 31 years as a faculty member and Head Athletic Trainer at the collegiate level; he also served as a site PI for the NCAA/DoD Grand Alliance Concussion Assessment, Rehabilitation, and Education (CARE) Consortium which was the largest longitudinal study of sport-related concussion at NCAA Institutions and the Military Service Academies ever funded.

Christi Keeler, MS, LAT, ATC


Christi Keeler is an Astronaut Strength, Conditioning and Rehabilitation (ASCR) Specialist at NASA Johnson Space Center for KBR's Government Solutions U.S. Science and Space Business Unit. Prior to this role, she worked in several orthopedic settings and in organ and tissue procurement. Since joining KBR in 2022, Mrs. Keeler has worked extensively supporting the neuromuscular care program by evaluating, treating and rehabilitating injuries for both U.S. and international astronauts for long duration
spaceflight aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Her role also includes servicing crew by instructing mobility classes, completing functional fitness evaluations, and training on spaceflight Advanced Resistance Exercise Device (ARED).

Bruce Nieschwitz, ATC

Bruce Nieschwitz is an Astronaut Strength, Conditioning, and Rehabilitation Specialist (ASCR) for KBR at NASA-JSC. Nieschwitz's primary role is to provide comprehensive strength and conditioning, physical medicine, and rehabilitation services for pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight to active astronauts. Since Nieschwitz began at KBR in 2006, he has served as the primary ASCR assigned to numerous shuttle and ISS missions. He also provides perspective, serving as a subject matter expert for designing and using exercise hardware for spaceflight. He is a board-certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer earning his B.S. from Kent State University and was a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at Mankato State University. Prior to joining the ASCR group, Nieschwitz was the head of Athletic Training at Alvin Independent School District in Alvin, Texas.

Olympia Watts, MS

Olympia Watts is an Research coordinator in the HHPI. She graduated in the Summer of 2022 with a M.S. in Exercise Science from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. As a student, she was identified by several faculty members for her comprehension of sophisticated physiology and ability to ask and answer in depth questions. Upon joining the institute staff, she made an immediate impact with her leadership and positive attitude. She developed and launched weekly virtual exercise classes, creating an innovative solution to ensure members of the HHPI were continuing towards their health goals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her personal goals are to continue learning how to help individuals, through evidence-based practices, to live a better and healthier life. She is passionate about learning, exercise, jiu jitsu, and food.