Advancing Human Exploration

At the intersection of engineering, exploration, innovation, and strategic leadership.

About Me

Biomedical engineer, explorer, speaker, and international leader working across space exploration, emerging technologies, global health, and policy.

Engineer. Explorer. Commander.

Ilaria Cinelli during a mountain expedition, explorer and international leader in human space exploration, innovation, and extreme environments.

I believe the future of human exploration will be built through the convergence of science, engineering, leadership, and international cooperation.

My work has taken me from research laboratories to analogue space missions, from innovation programmes to global initiatives involving space agencies, academia, industry, and international organisations.

Along the way, I have led teams in extreme environments, contributed to the advancement of space medicine and exploration, and helped shape projects that bridge technology, policy, and human performance.

In recognition of these contributions, asteroid (108952) Ilariacinelli was named in my honour by the International Astronomical Union.

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At a Glance

15+ Years
Space, Health & Innovation

50+ Publications
Scientific papers and books

15+ Awards
International recognition

9 Missions
Analogue expeditions

6 Countries
International experience

Asteroid
108952 Ilariacinelli

Speaking & International Engagement

Ilaria Cinelli speaking at an international panel on women in STEM, science diplomacy, and space exploration with representatives from government, academia, and international organisations.

45+
International scientific, policy, and diplomatic events

18+
International forums on gender equality and human rights

15+
Leadership talks on operations, resilience, and exploration

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Leadership & Service

Vice-Chair, Space & Global Health Task Force
University of Geneva | UNOOSA | WHO | ESA

Senior Institutional Business Development Manager
AIKO – AI and Automation for Space Applications

Chair, Scientific Committee
ARES Defence & Aerospace Accelerator

Fellow Member
CISS SPHERE – LUISS University

Commander
Mars and Arctic Analogue Missions

Mentor and Role Model
United Nations Space4Women Programme

“Don't forget to enjoy the view”

— Jim Lovell, Apollo 8 astronaut

Recent milestones

Milestones
Formiche - Essere umano e difesa al centro del ritorno sulla Luna. Cosa serve secondo Cinelli
Formiche - Essere umano e difesa al centro del ritorno sulla Luna. Cosa serve secondo Cinelli

Getting to the Moon is only half the challenge. Space medicine expert Ilaria Cinelli on why human biology — not technology — is the real frontier of lunar exploration.

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The Human Element in Advancing 21st-Century Space Exploration - Human Space Exploration Benefits to Humanity
The Human Element in Advancing 21st-Century Space Exploration - Human Space Exploration Benefits to Humanity

Edited by Ilaria Cinelli, this open-access book argues that success on the Moon and Mars depends not on technology alone — but on the humans behind the missions.

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Optimise behavioural health and human factors research for deep space missions by classifying analogue scenarios and fidelity
Optimise behavioural health and human factors research for deep space missions by classifying analogue scenarios and fidelity

Preparing humans for deep space starts on Earth. This paper introduces a new framework to identify which extreme environments — from cave diving to polar expeditions — best replicate the demands of future space missions, putting behavioural health at the centre of mission design.

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