Research

 

Broadly speaking, I am interested in exploration of human experience and performance in non-ordinary, extreme, or liminal states.  I want to understand and analyze what happens to human beings when they are operating outside of their routine, comfortable, or (potentially) scientifically-accepted reality.

While, my interests in this area have evolved over time, some of these research interests have been present since childhood as I read everything from real life astronauts to fictional children’s stories like Lost in the Devil’s Desert and Curse of Blood Swamp which stirred my imagination.  Of course, my interest in mystical and metaphysical experiences, thanks in part to my great-grandmother’s spiritwork and the experiences that were experienced, further contributed to this general research area.

 

Research Projects

 

Human Performance in Extreme Environments

In Isolated, Confined, Extreme Environment Psychology, this primarily deals with how the human mind and body react and perform when pushed to their limits in extreme physical and psychological conditions.  These environments are usually considered in areas such as aviation, closed ecological life support systems (ie Biosphere 2), deserts, disaster response teams, military teams, mountaineering, outer space, polar regions, etc.

Hypnotic Interventions – Hypnosis and guided meditation are techniques used to induce altered states of consciousness. The goal is to access and influence the subconscious mind to bring about therapeutic change, which is a departure from a person’s typical waking state.

Extreme Tourism – This involves individuals voluntarily placing themselves in physically challenging, often dangerous, and psychologically intense situations for leisure. It’s about seeking out experiences that are far outside the norm, often for personal transformation or a sense of accomplishment.

Paranthropology / Transpersonal Psychology – This field studies human experiences that are considered outside the realm of mainstream science and everyday reality, such as encounters with ghosts, UAPs, or shamanic rituals. It’s an investigation into how people interpret and interact with what they perceive as the paranormal or supernatural.

Religious Conversion and Mystical Experiences – These are profound, often sudden, transformations of belief and consciousness. Mystical experiences, in particular, are powerful altered states of consciousness that are often described as a direct, intuitive encounter with a higher reality or a profound sense of unity.

 

Research Positions

2023-present Co-Principal Investigator Remote Mission Support Crew (Martianaut 1) ICE Psychology Researcher Isolation in long duration space analogue missions (The Martianaut Project) MMAARS – Moon Mars Astronautics Academy and Research Science Mojave Desert, California

2020-present Co-Investigator / Research Project Manager Demographics of licensed clinical vs unlicensed clinical vs stage hypnosis practitioners Department of Psychology, Georgia Southern University Statesboro, Georgia

1999-present Principal Investigator / Research Project Manager / Genealogist Genealogy of the 19th century Dutch West Indies (Suriname) Best Genealogy Research Hollywood, Florida

 

2020-2024 Principal Investigator Using Technical Theater to teach Students with Disabilities Turtle Tail Productions Hollywood, Florida

2019-2024 Co-Investigator (Thesis) / Research Project Manager Effects of a Suggestion Based Intervention on Human Cooperation in the Stag Hunt Game. Department of Psychology, Georgia Southern University Statesboro, Georgia

2004-2024 Investigator Medical Ethics of Extreme Tourism (previously Ethics of Space Tourism) University of North Dakota / Extreme Environment Psychology & Medicine Consulting LLC Grand Forks, North Dakota Hollywood, Florida

2023 Capcomm Human Factors Engineering Psychologist, CELSS Serenity Station Extreme Environment Psychology & Medicine Consulting LLC (Contract to Stardust Technologies… ghosted without payment) Ontario, Canada

2007-2022 Theoretical Researcher Space Anthropologist Anthropology of Outer Space (Xenoanthropology) Extreme Environment Psychology & Medicine Consulting LLC (was a division of M.S. Marsh & Associates until 2015) Hollywood, Florida

2019-2021 Collaborator Societal Forecasting Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires France

2020 Principal Investigator / Clinical Researcher Medical Hypnotherapist Hypnosis and somniloquy After Hours Hypnotherapy Augusta, Georgia

2019-2020 Laboratory Assistant Biases and Preferences in Judgement under Uncertainty Department of Psychology, Georgia Southern University Statesboro, Georgia

2019-2020 Graduate Research Assistant Self Monitoring Among Students with Disabilities Department of Education, Georgia Southern University Statesboro, Georgia

2018 Principal Investigator Anthropologist Dark Tourism Paranormal Tourism Anthropology Fieldwork Associates Savannah, Georgia (Fieldwork)

2013 Principal Investigator Anthropologist LGBT Identity in Middle Eastern Cultures Anthropology Fieldwork Associates Israel (Fieldwork)

2007-2012 Research Consultant Human Factors Engineering Psychologist, CELSS / Extreme Environments Human Performance and Human Factors in Long Term Confined Habitation in High Risk/Remote Environments MS Marsh & Associates / Extreme Environment Psychology & Medicine Consulting LLC (Contract to University of North Dakota) Hollywood, Florida

2007-2009 Principal Investigator / Senior Consultant Technology Transfer Specialist  Biomedical Technologies, Psychological Technologies Foresight Science and Technology Providence, Rhode Island

2008 Consultant, Technology Transfer (subcontracted by Foresight) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

2008 Consultant, Technology Transfer (subcontracted by Foresight) Kansas City Plant

2008 Consultant, Technology Transfer (subcontracted by Foresight) National Research Council of Canada

2008 Consultant, Technology Transfer (subcontracted by Foresight) Oakridge National Laboratory

2008 Consultant, Technology Transfer (subcontracted by Foresight) Florida International University

2008 Consultant, Technology Transfer (subcontracted by Foresight) Florida State University

2008 Consultant, Technology Transfer (subcontracted by Foresight) Xavier University of Louisiana

2008 Consultant, Technology Transfer (subcontracted by Foresight) Vanderbilt University

2008 Search Engine Evaluator (3 month contract) SEO Leapforce Inc. Pleasantville, California

2007 Consultant, Technology Transfer (subcontracted by Foresight) Department of Energy

2007 Consultant, Technology Transfer (subcontracted by Foresight) Environmental Protection Agency

2007 Consultant, Technology Transfer (subcontracted by Foresight) National Institute of Health

2004-2007 Principal Investigator (Thesis) / Research Project Manager Human Factors Engineering Psychologist, CELSS Extreme Environments Identification of Psychological Stressors in Long Duration Spaceflight Space Studies, University of North Dakota Grand Forks, North Dakota

2003-2007 Research Associate Anthropologist Medical Anthropology, Biological Anthropology, Biocultural Anthropology, Evolutionary Psychology/Sociobiology FMT Enterprises (contract to Emory University) Covington, Georgia

2007 Graduate Researcher Asteroid Infrared Spectrometry Space Studies, University of North Dakota Grand Forks, North Dakota

2006 Graduate Researcher CCD Imaging Space Studies, University of North Dakota Grand Forks, North Dakota

2004 Graduate Researcher Space Suit and Life Support Systems Space Studies, University of North Dakota Grand Forks, North Dakota

2004 Graduate Researcher Identification of prospective archaeological ruins using ERDAS Space Studies, University of North Dakota Grand Forks, North Dakota

2004 Graduate Researcher Planetary Protection, Forward Contamination, Backward Contamination and life in the solar system Space Studies, University of North Dakota Grand Forks, North Dakota

2002-2003 Research Assistant Student Anthropologist Medical Anthropology, Biological Anthropology, Biocultural Anthropology, Evolutionary Psychology/Sociobiology Anthropology Department, Emory University Atlanta, Georgia

2001-2003 Principal Investigator (Capstone/Thesis) Student Epidemiologist Bubonic plague’s effects on the population genetics of medieval Europe Medieval Studies Program, Emory University Atlanta, Georgia

2003 Lab Rotation Human Skeletal Biology Lab Ancient Nubian Growth Anthropology Department, Emory University Atlanta, Georgia

2001-2003 Student Researcher Jealousy Among College Age Students Anthropology Department, Emory University Atlanta, Georgia

2002 Lab Rotation Isotopic Anthropology Lab Paleodiets Anthropology Department, Emory University Atlanta, Georgia

2001 Primate Research Intern I  Golden Lion Tamarins child caregiving habits Primatology Department, Zoo Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia

Editorial Positions

2002-2015 Science Copy, Editor and Graduate/Medical Personal Statement, Uniquely You Editing and Writing Services

2007-2010 Science Copy Editor One, Giant Leap Foundation

2008-2009 Technical Editor, Living in Space : Cultural and Social Dynamics, Opportunities, and Challenges in Permanent Space Habitats, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

2000-2005 Writing Tutor, FMT Enterprises

1998-1999 Copy Editor, The Echo

Scroll to Top