Multidimensional Modeling of Stress Resilience for Robust Space Force Guardian Performance

Abstract

The AFOSR Human Performance and Biosystems Program seeks to define mechanisms associated with enhancing human capabilities and understanding bio-circuits involved with increasing performance capabilities . To this end, our objective is to advance understanding of the bio-circuitry governing stress resilience to ultimately improve performance of US Space Force (USSF) Guardians and other military personnel. Guardians and other military personnel experience extreme cognitive demands and numerous stressors during training and operations. Given the same stressor, individual responses vary markedly. The basic tenet of this research is that each person s responses to operational stressors are determined by a multidimensional stress response bio-circuitry orchestrated by feature inputs from the mind to body to small body molecules. Our hypothesis is that differences among people in both baseline characteristics and responses to operationally relevant stressors will yield influential bio-circuits of stress resilience with actionable features to optimize performance. Approach. This is a discovery project leveraging five completed DoD trials testing mental, physical, and environmental stressors. Via modeling-machine learning (ML), we will develop and validate stress resilience bio-circuitry integrating feature inputs from cognitive, behavioral and physiological data to stress-induced changes in body molecules. From stored blood and tissue samples, we will analyze thousands of body molecules using ‘omics technology. We will integrate all of the data to establish bio-circuits in three resilience domains- 1) cognitive performance; 2) psychological state; and 3) physical performance. We will also develop computational, physio-cognitive models. Finally, we will test the utility of real-time measurement of body molecules we discover in the circuits. Anticipated Outcome. We anticipate this research will yield influential bio-circuits and validated predictive models of stress resilience containing measurable and actionable features. Potential Impact. Actionable features of these circuits may be leveraged to augment resilience and performance among Guardians and other military, including impacts on neurocognitive performance and human-machine teaming.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Mar 07, 2024
Source ID
FA95502310661

Entities

People

  • Marcas M Bamman

Organizations

  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research
  • Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition
  • United States Air Force

Tags

Readers

  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Team-Based Human-Centered Cognitive Task Decision Making and Information Performance.

Technology Areas

  • AI & ML
  • AI & ML - DoD AI Strategy
  • Space