MIT and Harvard Students Advance Aerospace Medicine
The Doctors Without Gravity club unites students to explore medical careers within the expanding space industry.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Space
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Since launching in 2024, the Cambridge-based Doctors Without Gravity club has grown to more than 100 members from MIT and Harvard University. The organization focuses on increasing education and awareness regarding careers in aerospace medicine.
Why it matters
The club serves as a vital bridge between academic study and the specialized aerospace industry by providing networking opportunities and research exposure. This initiative aims to prepare the next generation of professionals for the unique health challenges of space exploration.
Members gain hands-on exposure to high-G environments, including centrifuge testing that reaches 4G for five seconds. Participants often start at 1G before accelerating to peak forces during their experimental training sessions.
The players
Anna Wadhwa
She is a co-founder of the Doctors Without Gravity club and has personally undergone centrifuge testing to simulate high-G forces.
Nicole McGaa
She serves as a co-founder of the Doctors Without Gravity club, which supports aerospace medicine education at Harvard and MIT.
Erik Antonsen
He is an expert who contributed to the organization's academic programming by serving as the keynote speaker at the 2025 symposium.
Dava Newman
She is a prominent academic figure who provided the keynote address for the club's annual symposium in 2026.
The details
Co-founded by Anna Wadhwa and Nicole McGaa, the club operates as a student chapter for the Aerospace Medical Association and the Aerospace Medical Student and Resident Organization. It hosts workshops and fireside chats to connect students with faculty and industry researchers.
Timeline
The Doctors Without Gravity club was established in 2024.
Erik Antonsen delivered the annual symposium keynote in 2025.
Dava Newman delivered the annual symposium keynote in 2026.
The club will host its next symposium from April 19-25, 2027.
The Big Picture
The Doctors Without Gravity club functions as a student chapter of the Aerospace Medical Association, aligning local academic training with established professional standards in the field. This integration allows students to bridge the gap between classroom theory and industry-recognized aerospace medical protocols.
Students involved in the club gain direct access to industry-specific internships and mentorship from researchers in the aerospace sector. This hands-on experience provides participants with a competitive edge when entering the specialized workforce of space medicine.
The takeaway
Aerospace medicine is an evolving field that requires specialized training beyond standard medical education. Students can prepare for these roles by joining professional organizations and participating in practical research environments while still in university.
What happens next
The club is scheduled to hold its 2027 Symposium during Massachusetts Space Week from April 19-25, 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about local scientific developments in our Space section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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