UAH nursing conference to feature William Tarver, President of the Space Medicine Association

HUNTSVILLE, Ala, (August 11, 2014) - William J. Tarver will be the keynote speaker for The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) College of Nursing Space Life Sciences conference on Friday, Aug. 29. Dr. Tarver is president of the Space Medicine Association, and lead physician of the Astronaut Occupational Health Program at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

The one-day conference sponsored by the UAH College of Nursing will begin at 8 a.m., in the Chan Auditorium (located on the first floor of the College of Business Administration). The conference is free, but due to limited seating registration is recommended (walk-ins will be accepted if seating is available). Please register by Friday, Aug. 15, to ensure your seat at the conference. A complimentary breakfast will be served.

North Alabama scientists, educators, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, practical nurses, and students interested in space life science and physiology of the human body are all encouraged to attend the Nursing Space Life Sciences conference. The meeting will provide a forum for participants to:

• Discuss space medicine and how it contributes to protecting astronauts throughout their space career.
• Determine the unique aspects of an astronaut's work environment during space mission related to activities of daily living.
• Identify some of the effects of the space flight working environment on the human body and physiological functions.

Tarver, has been providing care to astronauts for nearly 10 years. He manages an annual budget of $16 million which includes, six physicians, nurses, medical technicians, industrial hygienists, and a corporate wellness program. He previously served as medical lead for the NASA Astronaut Occupational Health Program, and medical director of the Clinical Services Branch. Before joining NASA, Tarver was owner of the South Texas Occupational Medicine and Prevention Clinic.

Tarver earned a master's degree in public health from The University of Texas School for Public Health, and a medical degree from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Since 2008, Tarver's research interest includes vision impairment intracranial pressure (VIIP) in astronauts before or after long-duration space flight, such as the International Space Station. Recent research findings reveal space flight for more than a month, could likely cause astronauts to suffer from intracranial hypertension - a serious condition that causes pressure to build within the skull.

For registration and more information about the UAH College of Nursing Space Life Sciences conference, please email Christy Bacon (RN) at: clb0018@uah.edu, or Dr. Azita Amiri at: aa0033@uah.edu.