Comments from the Field
"Greetings from Texas!...Houston, Texas
that is…My name is Mary Flores and I would like
to invite you to the wonderful world of space and adventure."
Name: Mary P. Flores
Occupation: Institutional Review Board Administrator
at the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Johnson
Space Center (JSC)
Greetings from Texas!...Houston, Texas that is…My
name is Mary Flores and I would like to invite you to
the wonderful world of space and adventure. As a child
growing up in South Texas, I watched with excitement
the achievements of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) program. During my teenage years
I remember watching man’s first steps on the moon
surface and feeling such pride and joy. With amazement
and awe, seeing astronauts performing tasks like eating,
sleeping, and working in space made me realize that
anything is possible. This historical event left a strong
impression on me, sparking my interest in health and
nutrition. From that moment on I knew with certainty
that pursing an education would be the key to opening
doors. Because of my interest in nutrition and realizing
the importance of health, I decided to pursue a Bachelor
of Science degree in Food and Nutrition from the Texas
Woman’s University in North Texas. Following my
graduation, I was drawn to Houston as a result of reading
a newspaper article about the importance of diet and
nutrition required for space travel.
In 1978, I was hired as a government contractor employee
at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) where I began my professional
career working in the area of Life Sciences or the study
of the human body. Some of the laboratories I have worked for
include cardiovascular, (heart and lungs), neuroscience
(posture and motion sickness), and environmental physiology
(astronaut activities outside the spacecraft). Because
of NASA’s need to understand the effects of space
flight on the human body, I became interested and actively
involved as a research coordinator in the Human Test
Subject Program where I still have fond memories flying
in a zero gravity environment onboard the NASA KC-135
aircraft, affectionately known as the “Vomit Comet.”
As the NASA space transportation system program grew,
I was fortunate to work as a life science mission manager,
responsible for coordinating the collection of science
and medical data for assigned NASA Space Shuttle missions.
As a result of my experiences and familiarity with NASA
human research studies, I learned that not only are
there very important principles and guidelines that
must be followed to protect human test subjects involved
in research studies, but that information gained from
science and medicine is very important and needed to
address future space exploration.
The United States space program is very dynamic with
interests in space exploration shared by many foreign
governments. NASA has established international partner
agreements with countries to further investigate human
research not only on the NASA Space Shuttle but also
on the International Space Station (ISS). Today, I have
the great pleasure of supporting two highly respected
organizations, the NASA-JSC Committee for the Protection
of Human Subjects (CPHS) and an international board,
the Human Research Multilateral Review Board (HRMRB).
The JSC CPHS is composed of a select group of professional
men and women that include astronauts, physicians, lawyers,
scientists, and engineers who are responsible for the
review of NASA human research studies conducted on Earth,
Space Shuttle, and ISS. Likewise, the HRMRB is represented
by international partner members who must review research
from foreign countries that will involve crewmembers
on the ISS. Working with both organizations is extremely
rewarding, exciting and continually provides an environment
rich in education and learning.
As the CPHS and HRMRB Administrator, my workday is
very busy and never the same. I am responsible for maintaining
office operations such as communication, correspondence,
and record keeping. I schedule and attend meetings and
frequently go to classes and workshops. Occasionally,
I must travel outside of Texas to California or Washington,
DC. I have also traveled to international countries
like Great Britain, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy.
Finding time to meet all my deadlines takes organization
and forethought, but is always manageable.
I am glad to see more and more women taking commanding
roles here at JSC where equality and respect for all
persons is evident and encouraged. Positions held by
women are increasing and can be seen within NASA management
and the astronaut program. The men and women who work
at JSC are very dedicated individuals. Demonstrations
of enthusiasm and patriotic spirit are strong and provide
strength when the space program faces good times and
bad. Meeting the challenges and overcoming obstacles
is hard, but these lessons learned are a part of life.
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my
husband, cooking, reading, and traveling. I frequently
research the Internet for places to visit and explore.
So, farewell for now, but remember to always strive for what you believe in. Pursue your interests, reach for the stars and remember that the enjoyment in life is in the journey. |
