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Check out this episode of the #1 people analytics podcast with special guest, Suzanne Bell, Lead Scientist, NASA’s Behavioral Health & Performance Lab!

In this wide-ranging and deeply fascinating conversation, Cole Napper sits down with Suzanne Bell to explore one of the most unique and high-stakes applications of industrial-organizational psychology in the world: preparing human beings to live, work, and thrive in space. As a lead scientist at NASA, Suzanne shares how her team supports astronaut selection, behavioral health, team dynamics, cognitive readiness, sleep science, and mission performance as humanity prepares for a sustained return to deep space through the Artemis missions and eventually journeys to Mars.

The conversation dives into the enormous psychological and operational challenges associated with long-duration spaceflight. Suzanne explains how life aboard spacecraft like Orion differs dramatically from even the International Space Station, where astronauts already operate under isolation and confinement. Living in an extremely small shared environment with little privacy introduces new complexities around teamwork, adaptability, emotional regulation, and interpersonal dynamics. She discusses how NASA studies these conditions through both real missions and Earth-based analog environments, allowing researchers to better understand what makes teams resilient under prolonged stress.

Cole and Suzanne also unpack the science behind astronaut selection and what constitutes “fit to mission.” Suzanne explains that while technical expertise matters, behavioral competencies such as adaptability, teamwork, emotional stability, and the ability to both lead and follow become increasingly critical as missions grow longer and more isolated. She emphasizes that NASA applies rigorous scientist-practitioner principles, including competency modeling, multimethod assessment, and evidence-based selection systems, to identify individuals capable of succeeding in some of the harshest environments humans have ever encountered.

One of the most compelling sections of the discussion focuses on how humans adapt under stress. Suzanne shares insights from NASA’s growing database of individuals who have lived in isolated and confined environments, highlighting research showing that humans are remarkably adaptable but that transitions themselves often create the greatest challenges. Whether adjusting to microgravity, returning to Earth, or preparing for life on another planet, the process of adaptation places enormous demands on cognition, emotion, and physical functioning. She also reveals emerging findings showing that declines in positive affect during long-duration isolation can reduce task speed even when accuracy remains high, reinforcing the importance of emotional well-being for mission success.

The conversation also explores Bayesian statistics, small-sample research, and how NASA approaches evidence generation in situations where only a handful of astronauts may ever participate in a mission. Suzanne explains how her lab transformed its data infrastructure to aggregate findings across missions and simulations, enabling faster learning cycles and more effective decision-making for future Artemis missions. The discussion becomes a masterclass in applied research design, demonstrating how rigorous analytics can still thrive in environments with limited data but extraordinarily high consequences.

Cole and Suzanne also spend significant time discussing AI, ethics, and the future of scientist-practitioner work. Suzanne shares how NASA is thinking about AI-assisted monitoring and Earth-independent operations for future Mars missions where communication delays make real-time support from Earth impossible. Together they explore the ethical responsibilities researchers have to engage with emerging technologies proactively, ensuring science helps shape responsible adoption rather than reacting after the fact.

Beyond the science, the episode offers a deeply human look into Suzanne herself, including her routines, leadership philosophy, curiosity about the world, and perspective on balancing an incredibly demanding career with family life. The result is an inspiring conversation about psychology, leadership, teamwork, innovation, resilience, and the future of human exploration.

If you like this episode, you’d also love exploring prior episodes—visit colenapper.com for the full archive and show links.

What We Know About Astronauts, Artemis 2, & NASA - Suzanne Bell - #172