Beyond Nominal

Beyond Nominal is the official podcast of AMSRO, the Aerospace Medicine Student and Resident Organization, which is a group within AsMA, the Aerospace Medical Association. Our mission is to improve accessibility and provide an inclusive resource for students, residents, or anyone interested to learn from experts, share stories, and gain valuable insights regarding the specialty of aerospace medicine. We aim to highlight the diverse experiences within the field and foster a supportive, engaged community of future practitioners of aerospace medicine.  

Episodes

20 minutes ago

44 min

On this episode of Beyond Nominal, we sit down with Dr. Ann Tsung, a flight surgeon, for an inside look at her unique journey to NASA. Dr. Tsung takes us through her career path from emergency medicine residency and critical care fellowship to aerospace medicine fellowship and ultimately, her role at NASA where she supports medical operations, the Human Landing System (HLS) program, and clinical SANS initiatives. In addition to her professional journey, we dive into performance optimization, finding your “zone of genius,” and strategies for accessing a flow state. Lastly, Dr. Tsung shares her approach to identifying personal non-negotiables, maintaining work-life balance, and building a career and life that are meaningful.
 
Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bd83ka6h
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/ymvnuk7v
 
Check out the resources discussed in this episode below:
Productivity MD Podcast
Apple: https://tinyurl.com/4497e4k5 
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/4sfw7cwx 
The Gap and the Gain: https://gapandgainbook.com/
The Book of Joy: https://tinyurl.com/yc5hkf9e 
UTMB’s Principles of Aviation and Space Medicine (we both got the name wrong in the initial recording!): https://tinyurl.com/4t555nwt 
Wheel of Life: https://wheeloflife.io/ 
Passive Income MD: https://passiveincomemd.com/ 
 
Social: https://www.instagram.com/asma.amsro/ 
Music: Night Rider by Jiglr - https://soundcloud.com/jiglrmusic 
Artwork: Maia Reyes

20 minutes ago

44 min

Aug 3, 2026

44 min

Welcome back to another episode! This month, get to know Dr. Tyson Brunstetter, the SANS clinical lead at NASA Johnson Space Center, while we talk more about spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS). Listen to find out more about the signs that constitute SANS, its symptoms (or lack thereof!) and its diagnostic criteria, how it was discovered, hypotheses of its pathogenesis, where we are today in our understanding of its risk, and where we are currently exploring. 
 
Apple: https://tinyurl.com/bd83ka6h 
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/ymvnuk7v 
 
Resources:
Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA): https://asma.org/
Aerospace Medicine Student and Resident Organization (AMSRO): https://www.amsro.org/
SANS Risk: https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/esdmd/hhp/risk-of-spaceflight-associated-neuro-ocular-syndrome/ 
Mader et al. 2011: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0161642011005641
 
Social: https://www.instagram.com/asma.amsro/ 
 
Credits:
Music - Night Rider by Jiglr: https://soundcloud.com/jiglrmusic/night-rider 
Artwork - Maia Reyes

Aug 3, 2026

44 min

Jul 6, 2026

58 min

Welcome to our RAM Spotlight mini-series! We will be highlighting residents in aerospace medicine across multiple programs to get to know them better. In this episode, we spotlight Dr. Andrew Lam, a recent graduate of UTMB's Aerospace Medicine residency (and a second-year RAM at the time of recording). Listen to learn more about Dr. Lam's journey to aerospace medicine, his advice on what interested students or residents can do to get more involved, the flight-surgeon/patient relationship, and more!
 
Resources:
Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA): https://asma.org/
Aerospace Medicine Student and Resident Organization (AMSRO): https://www.amsro.org/
UTMB Aerospace Medicine Residency: https://www.utmb.edu/spph/aerospace-medicine/residency-program/residency 
 
Social: https://www.instagram.com/asma.amsro/ 
 
Credits:
Music - Night Rider by Jiglr: https://soundcloud.com/jiglrmusic/night-rider 
Artwork - Maia Reyes
 

Jul 6, 2026

58 min

Jun 4, 2026

54 min

What is Aerospace Medicine? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Kris Belland, a past president of the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA), naval aviator, flight surgeon, and leader in aerospace medicine, to explore one of medicine's most unique and multidisciplinary specialties. He provides an inside look at aerospace medicine that combines clinical care, research, policy, and operational medicine. We discuss the need for diverse professionals to contribute to the field, from physicians and nurses to engineers and astronauts, and explore the growing opportunities. Listen to learn more about aerospace medicine, who it serves, the different pathways to practice in the field, connections to other specialties, and more!
To learn more, check out the resources below:
Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA): https://asma.org/
Aerospace Medicine Student & Resident Organization (AMSRO): https://www.amsro.org/
Civil Aviation Medical Association (CAMA): https://civilavmed.org/
American Osteopathic College of Preventive Medicine (AOCOPM): https://www.aocopm.org/
 
Music: Night Rider by Jiglr - https://soundcloud.com/jiglrmusic, Artemis audio library - https://www.nasa.gov/artemisaudio/ 
Social: https://www.instagram.com/asma.amsro/
Artwork: Maia Reyes

Jun 4, 2026

54 min

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