Dr. Michele Perchonok, recently retired after working for 17 years at NASA Johnson Space Center as manager of the NASA Human Research Program (HRP) Program Science Management Office. Prior to holding that position, Michele was the HRP Advanced Food Technology Project Manager and the Shuttle Food System Manager. Prior to joining NASA, Michele worked at Riviana Foods and the Quaker Oats Company Pet Food Division. Michele holds a BS in chemistry from Brown University and a MS and PhD in food science with minors in nutritional biochemistry and marketing from Cornell University. Michele has published more than 25 articles and two book chapters. Michele is an Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) fellow and a certified food scientist. Michele is currently the IFT’s president-elect.