Cardiovascular Deconditioning in Space Medicine: A Computational Approach to Investigate Mechanisms and Potential Countermeasures PhD Project in Aerospace Engineering funded by China Scholarship Council DIMEAS, Politecnico di Torino, Italy Supervisors: Prof. Stefania Scarsoglio ((email hidden)) and Prof. Luca Ridolfi ((email hidden)) Research context and abstract Long-duration spaceflight induces cardiovascular adaptations, including cephalad fluid shift, changes in blood volume and venous return, and altered hemodynamic regulation [1,2]. These responses contribute to cardiovascular deconditioning and may be associated with mission-relevant risks such as Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) [2,3]. The mechanisms linking altered gravity to systemic, cerebral, ocular, and venous hemodynamics remain incompletely understood. This project will build on the group’s existing closed-loop, multiscale 0D–1D cardiovascular model and its subsequent developments [4–8] to investigate cardiovascular adaptation to altered gravity and the mechanisms underlying deconditioning. The framework will be extended to represent gravity
- and posture-dependent processes, including venous collapse, pressure effects associated with lower-body negative pressure (LBNP), and gravity gradients and Coriolis forces during short-radius artificial gravity (AG) [1,9,10]. Where suitable data are available, model behavior will be evaluated against non-invasive measurements from ground-based analogues, including head-up/head-down tilt, water immersion, and centrifuge studies [5–7]. The model will then be used to examine the potential physiological effects of countermeasures, particularly LBNP and AG. The aim is to improve mechanistic understanding and generate testable hypotheses to inform future experimental studies and the assessment of potential cardiovascular countermeasures for long-duration spaceflight. Objectives and approach The project will: 1. Investigate mechanisms of cardiovascular adaptation and deconditioning in altered-gravity conditions, including fluid redistribution, venous return, and hemodynamic regulation [1,4]. 2. Examine interactions between systemic, cerebral, ocular, and venous hemodynamics, including patterns relevant to SANS
- and VTE-associated risks [2,3,7]. 3. Characterize how selected countermeasures,

particularly LBNP and short-radius AG, may affect cardiovascular responses [1,9,10]. The model couples 1D systemic and coronary arterial dynamics with 0D representations of distal circulations, cardiopulmonary coupling, venous return, and cerebro-ocular districts, including autoregulatory feedback [4,5,7,8]. Activities may include data harmonization, quality control, model calibration, simulation-to-measurement comparison, and uncertainty and sensitivity analysis. Where scientifically justified and supported by available data, the work may also be extended to targeted 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies of selected vascular regions, complementing the 0D–1D framework. Candidate profile Candidates with a background in mechanical, aerospace, or biomedical engineering, physics, applied mathematics, or a related quantitative discipline are encouraged to apply. A foundation in fluid dynamics, numerical methods, and scientific programming would be valuable. Experience applying computational approaches to cardiovascular systems or analyzing physiological data is an asset, but a specialization in space medicine is not required. Interest in interdisciplinary research at the interface of computational science, cardiovascular physiology, and space medicine is expected. Research environment and collaborative context The project will be based at DIMEAS, Politecnico di Torino, Italy, within the group’s research on cardiovascular fluid dynamics, computational modeling, and human adaptation to altered gravity. Relevant collaborations include ASI, ESA, MEDES, Medical University of Graz, Texas A&M; University, Auburn University, the University of Texas Medical Branch, the Universities of Otago, Sydney, and Turin, INEGI, Città della Salute e della Scienza Hospital, REA Space, and Thales Alenia Space. The network spans spaceflight physiology, SANS and ophthalmology, cardiovascular countermeasures, and life-support systems. Selected references [1] Norsk, P.

“Adaptation of the cardiovascular system to weightlessness: surprises, paradoxes and implications for deep space missions.” Acta Physiologica 228, e13434 (2020). doi: 10.1111/apha.13434. [2] Patel, Z. S., et al. “Red risks for a journey to the red planet: The highest priority human health risks for a mission to Mars.” npj Microgravity 6, 33 (2020). doi: 10.1038/s41526-020-00124-6. [3] Limper, U., et al. “The thrombotic risk of spaceflight: has a serious problem been overlooked for more than half of a century?” European Heart Journal 42(1), 97–100 (2021). doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa359. [4] Gallo, C., Ridolfi, L., and Scarsoglio, S. “Cardiovascular deconditioning during long-term spaceflight through multiscale modeling.” npj Microgravity 6, 27 (2020). doi: 10.1038/s41526-020-00117-5. [5] Fois, M., Maule, S. V., Giudici, M., Valente, M., Ridolfi, L., and Scarsoglio, S. “Cardiovascular Response to Posture Changes: Multiscale Modeling and in vivo Validation During Head-Up Tilt.” Frontiers in Physiology 13, 826989 (2022). doi: 10.3389/fphys.2022.826989. [6] Tripoli, F., Ridolfi, L., and Scarsoglio, S. “Short-term response of cerebrovascular and ocular hemodynamics from micro
- to hyper-gravity: A multiscale mathematical analysis.” Acta Astronautica 237, 159–173 (2025). doi: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2025.08.028. [7] Fois, M., Diaz-Artiles, A., Zaman, S. Y., Ridolfi, L., and Scarsoglio, S. “Linking cerebral hemodynamics and ocular microgravity-induced alterations through an in silico–in vivo head-down tilt framework.” npj Microgravity 10, 22 (2024). doi: 10.1038/s41526-024-00366-8. [8] Tripoli, F., Ridolfi, L., and Scarsoglio, S. “Assessing the cardiac function from micro-gravity to hyper-gravity conditions through a validated multiscale modelling approach.” The Journal of Physiology 604(13), 5296–5315 (2026). doi: 10.1113/JP287142. [9] Clément, G. R., Bukley, A. P., and Paloski, W. H. “Artificial gravity as a countermeasure for mitigating physiological deconditioning during long-duration space missions.” Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience 9, 92 (2015). doi: 10.3389/fnsys.2015.00092. [10] van Loon, J. J. W. A., et al. “Benefits of a rotating – Partial gravity – Spacecraft.” Acta Astronautica 220, 403–415 (2024). doi: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.04.041.

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