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.
Listen on:
Episodes

20 minutes ago
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

Aug 3, 2026
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

Jul 6, 2026
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

Jun 4, 2026
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


