Jonathan Steller

Biography

After completing his undergraduate degrees, medical degree, and OBGYN residency all at UCI, he completed his fellowship training at the University of Colorado, where his graduating thesis was the first ever study investigating the effects of a space radiation analog on pregnancy outcomes in mice. Presently, he continues to perform research pushing the boundaries of space gynecology and reproductive health. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, systematic reviews, textbook chapters, and is an international authority in this space.

Dr. Steller previously served for six years at NASA within the Exploration Medical Capabilities Element and the Human Standards Team in the Office of the Chief Health and Medical Officer (OCHMO). In these roles, he developed extensive expertise in systems engineering, medical modeling, probabilistic risk assessment, tradespace analysis, and the development of medical selection, recertification, and mission evaluation standards. He currently serves as a Co-Director of the UCI Space Medicine, Engineering, & Design (SPACE MED)—a four-year mission-based program at the UCI School of Medicine enabling nascent students to explore the field of space medicine, gain foundational space medicine knowledge, and empowering them to identify unmet needs, ideate novel ideas, and innovate systems to promote human space exploration. Dr. Steller is also a member of the Vast Space Medicine team, where he provides domain leadership in systems medicine, exercise countermeasures, and women’s health

He spends the other half of his time as one of UCI’s clinical MFMs at the School of Medicine, the Director of Outpatient Perinatal Services at St. Joseph, and one of UCI’s Deans Scholars. He loves teaching the next generation of physicians and enjoys creating content for his teaching website www.flame.rocks. He holds specific research and clinical interests in cervical insufficiency, fetal growth restriction, endocrine pathologies, and autoimmune disorders in pregnancy. Lastly, you may often find him on the volleyball courts or supporting the UCI volleyball teams as he is a NCAA D1 National Champion and All-American alumnus from UCI in his previous life.

Education

• M.D. in Medicine, University of California, Irvine, 2013
• B.S. in Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, 2009
• B.A. in Classics, University of California, Irvine, 2009

Distinctions

• Orange County Physician of Excellence (Orange Coast Magazine), 2020-2025
• Southern California Rising Stars Top Doctor, 2020-2025
• Conference Chair, Organization for Space Medicine, Engineering & Design (OSMED), 2025
• UCI Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) Inductee, 2012
• UCI OBGYN Resident Mentor of the Year, 2018
• UCI OBGYN Medical Student Teacher of the Year, 2016
• NCAA Division I Men's Volleyball National Champion, 2007, 2009
• NCAA Division I Men's Volleyball All-American, 2008