About
Dr. Michael A. Schmidt is considered among the leaders in advancing the field of precision medicine for human spaceflight and translating those methods to high performance operations on Earth. He has also been instrumental in development of the field of omics in human spaceflight (genome, epigenome, transcriptome, proteome, metabolome, exposome, microbiome) and the application of those methods to extreme operating environments on Earth.
His work is focused on facilitating human performance in extreme operating environments using complex molecular analytics, multivariate modeling, artificial intelligence, countermeasure development, and the tools of team cohesion.
Dr. Schmidt is the founder, CEO, and Chief Scientific Officer of Sovaris Aerospace, based in Boulder, Colorado. His work covers a spectrum from NASA, the NFL, the NBA, US Olympic teams, Nike, SpaceX, Axiom Space, Corvette Racing, NASCAR, military Special Operations Forces, SWAT, the Naval Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor Program (TOPGUN), the Mayo Clinic, and others.
Speaking
Dr. Michael A. Schmidt is an engaging and eloquent public speaker who has given over 200 presentations to audiences in the US and across the globe. This ranges from corporate summits, to business conventions, to universities, to academic courses, to scientific meetings, to leadership gatherings, to remote 10-day retreats.
Research
SpaceX, Axiom Space, Inspiration4, Polaris Dawn, etc.
Dr. Schmidt uses remote and challenging environments as analog research settings to explore novel forms of biomedical assessment and develop countermeasure strategies for those who work in high performance operations. These also serve as living performance environments where the goal is to enhance performance in live missions, operations, and sports.
Media
Dr. Schmidt is eager to talk with those in the media who share that interest in science, medicine, human performance, human cognition, human nutrition, and human spaceflight. These discussions also often delve into human motivation, human empathy, expeditionary fitness, why we do what we do, what drives our insatiable curiosity to discover new things, how do we foster connection between humans, and how do we build a civilization based on deeply human values in space and on Earth.
Author
Dr. Schmidt has authored many scientific papers in the field of medicine, human performance, and human spaceflight. A short list is provided below. In addition, he published a textbook on human spaceflight and space medicine in 2025 (Elsevier), with two forthcoming books slated to be released in 2026 and 2027. These are on the fundamentals of human spaceflight research and on artificial intelligence in medicine, respectively.
Consulting
Dr. Schmidt is a highly respected consultant specializing in four key areas: individual and team consulting in human performance, where he enhances efficiency and effectiveness; molecular analytics and data-driven precision solutions, offering tailored strategies in both individual and team settings; biotechnology, where he applies his expertise to advance scientific and practical applications; and leadership, guiding the development of strong, visionary leaders. His multifaceted expertise makes him a valuable asset across these diverse yet interconnected domains, contributing significantly to each field’s growth and innovation.
Team Building
Over a ten-year period, Dr. Schmidt trained in empathy-centered conflict resolution, mediation, and the principles of team cohesion under the late Dr. Marshall Rosenberg (through the Center for Non-Violent Communication). Dr. Rosenberg, PhD was the creator of Nonviolent Communication (also known as Compassionate Communication or NVC) training, which operates in over 60 countries. He was considered among the world’s innovators in developing collaborative systems and in preventing/resolving conflict in extreme and war-torn conflict zones, forged in regions such as Rwanda, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Congo, Iraq, and South Africa, as well as with organizations in need of dispute resolution.