skip to main content
Give

Jeffery Chancellor, PhD

Jeffery Chancellor
Jeffery Chancellor, PhD

Associate Professor

Contact

Medical Physiology
8447 John Sharp Parkway
Bryan, TX 77807
jchancellor@tamu.edu

Biography

Jeff Chancellor is a scientist and expert consultant specializing in radiation effects for manned spaceflight and the aerospace industry. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Medical Physiology at the Texas A&M University School of Medicine.

Jeff’s research employs 3D Monte Carlo modeling techniques and high-performance computing platforms to study heavy charged particle interactions with soft tissue and condensed matter, particularly in the context of space radiation exposures. His lab focuses on the interactions of heavy ion radiation with various materials, providing valuable insights for ground-based analogs, manned spaceflight vehicle structures, shielding strategies, and clinical healthcare. Utilizing advanced multi-core computing systems and sophisticated numerical methods, his research tackles complex dynamics that are otherwise challenging to replicate experimentally.

Entrepreneurial Endeavors and Industry Leadership

In 2020, Jeff founded Atlantis Industries, where he served as Chief Technology Officer. Atlantis Industries secured multiple contracts with the Department of Defense (DoD) centered around cutting-edge technologies Jeff developed. The company played a significant role in advancing defense-related applications of aerospace technologies. After successfully leading the company for several years, Jeff sold his interest in 2024.

Following this venture, he established Audax Exploration & Geospace Integrated Strategies, LLC, a company focused on pioneering solutions in space exploration and geospace technology. Audax currently holds contracts with leading aerospace organizations such as Sierra Space and Luna Labs and has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Intuitive Machines and Axiom Space.

Audax is also breaking new ground in hardware development for space missions. A notable achievement is the selection of a charged particle detector, developed under Jeff’s leadership, to fly aboard Intuitive Machines’ IM-3 mission, scheduled for launch in 2025 or 2026. This mission will orbit the Moon and collect critical data on the lunar radiation environment, contributing valuable insights into the hazards posed by space radiation for future lunar exploration. The charged particle detector will play a vital role in characterizing radiation levels in the Moon’s orbit, helping to advance our understanding of the space environment and its implications for human and robotic missions.

Academic and Professional Background

Jeff previously served as the Radiation Effects Program Manager at the National Space Biomedical Research Institute and held an academic appointment at the Center for Space Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. His extensive research and operational experience stem from his time as a Senior Research Engineer with NASA’s Space Radiation Analysis Group (SRAG) at Johnson Space Center. During this tenure, Jeff served as a Flight Controller on the Radiation Console in Mission Control and as the Radiation Lead on the Mission Management Team for Space Shuttle missions STS-118, STS-120, STS-122, and the historic STS-125 Hubble repair mission. In these roles, he was responsible for projecting radiation exposure, briefing astronauts on associated health risks, informing mission managers of radiation risk assessments, and providing Go/No-Go recommendations.

Additionally, Jeff provided critical training in space weather, medical physics, and countermeasure procedures to astronauts preparing for International Space Station missions. He collaborated extensively with the design team for the Constellation Program’s Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle, leading efforts to optimize mass configurations for maximum shielding during solar particle events.

Jeff Chancellor’s career bridges academia, industry, and mission-critical operations, making him a distinguished leader in space exploration and aerospace innovation.

Education and Training

  • University of Houston , Bachelors (Physics), 2003
  • University of Houston , Masters (Physics), 2005
  • University of Texas A&M University, PhD- Applied Physics, 2018

Professional Certifications

  • International School of Cosmic Ray Astrophysics 15th Course: ”Astrophysics at Ultra-high Energies” (Italy) 2006
  • Center for Integrated Space Weather Modeling NSF Space Weather Summer School (USA)

Research Interests

  • Heavy ion interactions with soft and condensed matter
  • Applications of Artificial Intelligence
  • Radiation transport modeling (PHITS,FLUKA)
  • Spacecraft shielding development.
  • Simulation of radiation environments in space.
  • Radiobiology.
  • Space radiation dosimetry.
  • Electromagnetic shielding & modeling

Teaching Interests

  • Nuclear Physics
  • Computational Physics
  • Radiobiology
  • Aerospace Medicine

Awards, Recognition and Service

  • 2018- Marie Marvingt Award
  • 2016- Hubble 25th Anniversary Commendation National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA)
  • 2012- NASA Peer Award Awarded by Human Research Program

Patents

  • System and Method for AI Based Spacecraft Shielding Design International Patent WO2023/22049A1 (2023)
  • System and Method for Simulating Non-Homogeneous Space Radiation Environment, International Patent WO2023/069489A1(2023)
  • Radiation Detecting Wearable Devices U.S. Patent 9,759,672 B2 (2017) Jointly owned with James Ziegler, Ph.D. and Wayne Newhauser, Ph.D
  • Radiation Microdosimeters Correlated with Biological Cells and Cell Components U.S. Patent 8,858,888 B2 (2014) Jointly owned with James Ziegler, Ph.D. and Wayne Newhauser, Ph.D

Representative Publications

C. Granja, C. Barber, S. Barna, J. Chancellor, D. Chvatil, L. Grevillot, D. Inzalaco, Z. Kohout,G. Magrin, L. Marek, R. Mihai, C. Oancea, V. Olsansky, T. Olsen, D. Poklop, S. Pospisil, A. Resch., A. Sagatova, M. Sivertz, Stursa, R. Sykora, I. Wilhelm, V. Zach and B. Zatko, ”Detection resolving power of SiC Timepix3 detector to
electrons, neutrons, ions and protons”, J. of Instrum. JINST 19 (2024) C11007

A.S. Nemec-Bakk, V. Sridharan, J.S. Willey, I. Koturbash, D.K. Williams, M. Chesal, C.M. Patel, A.M. Borg, K. Reno, G. Gifford, W. Newhauser, J. Williams, J.C. Chancellor, M. Boerma, Sex-specific effects on the heart from combined exposure to simulated galactic cosmic radiation and hindlimb unloading, Life Sciences in Space Research,2024, ,ISSN 2214-5524, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lssr.2024.12.00 

Chancellor JC, The Impact of Ions on DNA. Viewpoint Physics.116, 41. DOI: 10.1103/Physics.16.41. (2023)

Chesel M., Blue RS, Aunon-Chancellor SA Chancellor JC, Novel Tetrahedral Human Phantoms for SpaceRadiation Dose Assessment. Nature Microgravity (submitted).123.3 https://doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.2303.05564. 10.48550/ARXIV.2303.05564. (2023)

McMahon M. Chancellor JC, Accident Simulations for Nuclear Power Plants Impacting Louisiana: Differences in 2017 vs. 1992 Protective Action Guidelines. Health Physics.123.3 (2022): 218-228.

Nemec-Bakk, A., Sridharan, V., Landes, R.D., Singh, P., Cao, M., Dominic, P., Seawright, J.W., Chancellor JC, and Boerma, M., Effects of low-dose oxygen ions on cardiac function and structure in female C57BL/6J mice.
Life Sciences in Space Research. (2022)

Chancellor JC, Nowadly C, Williams JA, Aunon-Chancellor SM, Chesal M, Looper J, Newhauser W. Everything You Wanted to Know About Space Radiation but Were Afraid to Ask. Environmental Science & Health, Part C, Special Edition: Overcoming the Challenges of Space Environment, Part C, 39:2, 113-128, DOI: 10.1080/26896583.2021.1897273 (2021)

Willey JS, Britten RA, Tahimic C, Sanford LD, Morteux M, Mao XW, Chancellor JC. Biological and Neurobehavioral Effects of Simulated Spaceflight Radiation and Microgravity as Combined Spaceflight Hazards. Environmental Science & Health, Part C, Special Edition: Overcoming the Challenges of Space Environment, 39:2, 129-179, DOI: 10.1080/26896583.2021.1885283 (2021)

Blue RS, Chancellor JC, Suresh R, Carnell L, Reyes D, Nowadly C, Antonsen EL. Challenges in managing acute space radiation-induced illnesses in exploration spaceflight Aerospace Medicine & Human Performance, Nov 1;90(11):966-977 (2019)

Blue RS, Chancellor JC, Antonsen EL, Bayuse TM, Daniels, VR, Wotring, VE. Limitations in Predicting Radiation-Induced Pharmaceutical Instability during Long-Duration Spaceflight. Nature Microgravity, Jun;5(1) (2019)