We are proud to highlight the work of Dr. Suzanne Bell, a graduate of our Industrial-Organizational Psychology program who is now leading groundbreaking research at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Dr. Bell’s work focuses on understanding and supporting how people perform, collaborate, and maintain well-being in the most extreme environments imaginable—outer space.
As the head of NASA’s Behavioral Health and Performance Laboratory, Dr. Bell and her team study how astronaut crews adapt during long-duration missions, including the Artemis lunar missions and future Mars expeditions. Her research examines how isolation, limited communication, high-stakes tasks, and confined living conditions impact individual resilience and team dynamics. Using advanced tools—such as AI-based monitoring, mission simulations, and analog environments like NASA’s CHAPEA Mars habitat—her team develops training strategies and support systems that help astronauts stay healthy, cohesive, and mission-ready from preparation through post-mission reintegration.
Beyond space exploration, Dr. Bell’s insights also benefit teamwork and performance in demanding real-world settings here on Earth, including military teams, oil rig crews, medical units, and professional athletes. Her work demonstrates how evidence-based psychological science can strengthen collaboration, support mental health, and enhance performance in any environment where teamwork truly matters.
Read more about her work: NASA’s Suzanne Bell enables elite teams to thrive in space
Learn more about our Industrial-Organizational Psychology alumni: I/O Psychology Alumni | Texas A&M University College of Arts and Sciences