Prof. Dava Newman
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Margaret MacVicar Faculty Fellow
Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Engineering Systems
Director, Technology and Policy ProgramHarvard-MIT Health, Sciences and Technology
Lead, Bio-Engineering Systems Focus Area, MIT Portugal Program 

Dr. Newman received her Ph.D. in Aerospace Biomedical Engineering from MIT. Her expertise is in multidisciplinary research that combines aerospace biomedical engineering, human-in-the-loop modeling, biomechanics, human interface technology, life sciences, systems analysis, design and policy. Dr. Newman’s research studies are carried out through space flight experiments, ground-based simulations, and mathematical modeling. Current research efforts include: advanced space suit design, dynamics and control of astronaut motion, mission analysis, and engineering systems design and policy analysis. She also has ongoing efforts in assistive techologies to augment human locomotion here on Earth.

Dr. Newman is the author of Interactive Aerospace Engineering and Design, an introductory engineering textbook with accompanying CD-ROM, published by McGraw-Hill, Inc. in 2002. She has also published more than 100 papers in journals and refereed conferences.

Dr. Newman received her BS degree from the University of Notre Dame and SM degrees in 1989 from MIT’s Technology and Policy Program and department of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

News and announcements:

Books Published by Dava J. Newman

Popular Mechanics on Prof. Dava Newman’s BioSuit spacesuit collaboration with Dainese
(June 6, 2008)

Prof. Dava Newman and her BioSuit prototype in the New England Journal of Aesthetic Research
(June 4, 2008)

MIT seeks funding for Prof. Dava Newman’s BioSuit
(January 4, 2008)

Professor Newman’s Spandex Space Suit One of TIME’s Best Inventions Of The Year
(November 8, 2007)

Prof. Dava Newman on CNET – Designing a 21st-century space suit
(October 4, 2007)

Prof. Dava Newman, BioSuit, in USA Today
(July 20, 2007)

Professor Dava Newman: One giant leap for space fashion
(July 18, 2007)

Prof. Dava Newman featured in documentary
(May 11, 2006)

Dava Newman’s sleek new space suit
(March 15, 2006)

Christian Science Monitor Features Prof. Dava Newman’s BioSuit
(October 21, 2005)

Press Coverage – Prof. Dava Newman:
Extra-Vehicular Activity and Bio-Suit
(August 29, 2005)

Professor Newman’s Research Featured on Space.com, CNN
(January 28, 2005)

Recent Paper presented at the 2004 Engineering Systems Symposium:

Co-Author of Submitted Paper “To Reduce or to Extend a Complex Engineering System Design Lifetime? What is at Stake, for Whom, and How to Resolve the Dilemma“