Dr. Lonnie Petersen's line of research falls in two parallel tracks:

1) a spin-up track which is focused on space physiology and investigating the effects of spaceflight on the human body. Specifically, it is focused on developing countermeasure devices and user-strategies to maintain human health during long-term spaceflight and following return to a gravitational field (Earth, Moon, and Mars)

2) a spin-down track which is Earth applications of knowledge gained in space including utilization of devices developed for use in space here on Earth for the benefit of patients.

She holds an M.D. (Anesthesiology and Emergency) Ph.D. (Space Medicine and Gravitational Physiology) M.S. and B.S. School of Medicine, University of Copenhagen, B.A. (Major: Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry) from Frederiksberg College. Dr. Petersen is also the Charles Stark Draper Professor and Associate Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.