Catherine A. Koerner

Catherine A. Koerner is currently the Director of Human Health and Performance at NASA. In this role, they lead the organization responsible for enhancing astronaut health and performance while mitigating the risks associated with human spaceflight. This includes management of spaceflight medical and clinical operations, biomedical and environmental science research, human systems engineering and human factors assessments of complex space systems. Additionally, HHPD executes the Health and Medical Technical Authority across all NASA human spaceflight programs.

Prior to their current role, Ms. Koerner served as Orion Program Manager from September 2020 to March 2022. In this role, they were responsible for leading the organization responsible for enhancing astronaut health and performance while mitigating the risks associated with human spaceflight. This included management of spaceflight medical and clinical operations, biomedical and environmental science research, human systems engineering and human factors assessments of complex space systems. Additionally, HHPD executed the Health and Medical Technical Authority across all NASA human spaceflight programs.

Before their time as Orion Program Manager, Ms. Koerner served as Director of Human Health and Performance Directorate (HHPD) at NASA Johnson Space Center from July 2015 to September 2020. In this role, they led the organization responsible for enhancing astronaut health and performance while mitigating the risks associated with human spaceflight. This included management of spaceflight medical and clinical operations, biomedical and environmental science research, human systems engineering and human factors assessments of complex space systems. Additionally, HHPD executed the Health and Medical Technical Authority across all NASA human spaceflight programs.

Catherine A. Koerner received their Master of Science in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Catherine also holds a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the same institution.

Catherine A. Koerner works with Joel B. Walker - Director, Center Operations, Stephen A. Koerner - Director, Flight Operations, and Arturo Sanchez III - Director, External Relations. Catherine A. Koerner reports to Vanessa E. Wyche, Acting Director, Johnson Space Center.