Kris R. Lehnhardt

Kris R. Lehnhardt is a Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at McGovern Medical School, part of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston). He also serves as Section Director for Space Medicine within the department and holds an adjunct professorship at the International Space University in Strasbourg, France. His work focuses on advancing medical systems for human space exploration and ensuring Earth-independent medical operations.

• MD from Western University
• Residency at Western University
• Certificate in Space Studies from International Space University

Dr. Lehnhardt specializes in space medicine, emergency medicine, and medical systems engineering. His research examines clinical decision support systems for space missions, point-of-care diagnostics in microgravity, and risk mitigation for medical evacuation during space exploration. He emphasizes progressively Earth-independent medical operations to sustain astronaut health on long-duration missions.

His recent publications highlight trends in spaceflight medical technology, clinical decision support, and biomedical monitoring, with a focus on operational risk assessment and innovation for future lunar and Martian habitats.

• Aerospace Medical Association’s Eric Liljencrantz Award for educational excellence in aerospace medicine
• NASA Johnson Space Center Director’s Commendation Award (2023)
• Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians (2014)
• Fellow of the Aerospace Medical Association (2020)

Dr. Lehnhardt has led NASA’s Exploration Medical Capability element (2018–2024), directed space medicine initiatives at UTHealth Houston, and contributed to international space policy and system design frameworks. He has collaborated on lunar base design standards and commercial spaceflight medical challenges.