Dr. Bannova is a Research Professor at the University of Houston’s College of Engineering, Director of the Master of Science in Space Architecture program and Sasakawa International Center for Space Architecture – an academic leader in the field of space architecture and in planning and designing of facilities for extreme environments on Earth. Dr. Bannova conducts research and design studies of orbital and surface habitats and settlements, including inflatable structures, special design influences and requirements for different gravity conditions in space, and habitat concepts for extreme environments on Earth. As SICSA director she is leading the center and its MS-Space Architecture program advancing students’ enrollment and success, developing research and design projects in connection with the space industry. She has authored dozens of technical papers.
Dr. Bannova is active in professional leadership positions associated with international and interdisciplinary student programs, development of technical concepts and reports, lecturing and promoting space exploration and advising students around the world. Research studies and grants include DSG Habitability, Lunar Base, and Deployable Airlock Studies (Boeing), 2 NASA’s Minimum Functionality Habitation Element studies (Boeing and ILC Dover), SpaceHab’s Lunar Exploration System, Commercial Launch Facility in West Texas (TAC), Houston Spaceport (HAS).
Dr. Bannova has been educating students who are persuading the world’s only Master of Science in Space Architecture degree for 14 years. Her students are coming from different backgrounds: aerospace engineering, architecture, human factors, and include professionals from NASA and NASA contractors.