On my way in my own way

Ilaria Cinelli, PhD, FAsMA, FAsHFA is a senior engineer and global leader in healthcare and space exploration, with over a decade of experience driving innovation across research institutions and SMEs. Her expertise spans space medicine, in-field expeditions, space diplomacy, and global health initiatives.

She holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Pisa, Italy, and a structured doctorate in neural engineering from the National University of Ireland, Galway. Her passion for space led her to complete the prestigious Space Studies Program at the International Space University (TU Delft, Netherlands) and a postdoctoral fellowship in neuromodulation at Tufts University, USA.

Ilaria is a recognized leader in international collaborations, currently co-chairing the development of an educational curriculum on Space and Global Health in partnership with UNOOSA and WHO, with support from ESA, advancing global health through space-based solutions and capacity-building initiatives. Since 2020, she has also been a key contributor to the UNOOSA Space4Women network, advocating for gender equality and educational impact.

A prolific author and editor, Ilaria has contributed to over 50 scientific publications, shaping knowledge at the intersection of technology and space. She serves as Academic Editor of The Human Element in Advancing 21st-Century Space Exploration (IntechOpen), Guest Editor for the Special Issue "Healthcare for Space, Space for Healthcare" (IEEE Open Journal of Engineering in Medicine and Biology), and Editor of "Innovation in Medical Space Technology" (Frontiers in Space Technologies). She has also contributed to two special issues and two books. She has been a sought-after speaker at 45+ international scientific conferences, 18+ gender equality forums, and 15+ corporate motivational talks, including engagements with the United Nations and several Embassies.

Her impact on the aerospace sector is widely recognized, earning her 15+ prestigious awards, including accolades from the European Patent Office, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the Aerospace Medical Association. She is a Fellow of both the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA) and the Aerospace Human Factors Association (AsHFA), a former President of AsHFA. Currently, she has served as a Member-at-Large of the AsMA Council since 2018.

Beyond academia and policy, Ilaria is a pioneering explorer with leadership roles in remote expeditions across the Utah, Mojave, and Arctic deserts since 2015, applying field research in extreme environments. She was invited to join the Mars Society Steering Committee as an influential voice in space safety and human systems integration.

Her advisory role extends to policy and strategy, having recently been invited by the European Commission's Political Affairs Office in Italy and Fondazione Leonardo to provide insights on Italy's role in the evolving space economy and space medicine. Recognized among the most influential women in space, she was named one of the 35 women shaping the industry by UNOOSA, one of the 100 women who will change the world by La Repubblica (2021), and among the 15 most impactful women in Italy by Il Sole 24 Ore (2021). In 2023, she was the sole representative for healthcare and space exploration among the European Patent Office's 50 tech voices in Europe.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions to space science, Asteroid 108952 was named after her — a dedication officially published by the International Astronomical Union's Working Group for Small Bodies Nomenclature in their bulletin (Volume 6, Number 1).

Through her diverse expertise and leadership, Ilaria continues to shape the future of space exploration, healthcare, and international collaboration.