SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

John Barson

Dr. Barson is a board-certified Aerospace Medicine Physician with over 40 years’ experience in Aerospace and Preventive Medicine. His 22 years in the U.S. Army include creating the medical support program for the fielding of the AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopter and research at the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory where he developed a test concept project to use airbags in the AH-1 and AH-64 Attack Helicopters.  He was a Research Exchange Officer at the RAF Institute of Aviation Medicine and was coinventor of a one size fits all helmet system, and safety officer/test subject for testing counterpressure breathing gear for rapid decompressions to 60,000 feet.  He served as U.S. Corps of Cadets Surgeon at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.  Served as the Forces Command Chief of Preventive Medicine for 730,000 U.S. Army soldiers.  He then took a position with the Centers for Disease Control in the Division of Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response working the SARS, Monkeypox, and Eczema Vaccinatum responses.  His next position was Deputy Regional Flight Surgeon for the FAA Southern Region covering 169,000 airmen and 4,500 FAA Air Traffic Control Specialists.  Since retiring from the FAA he does consulting work for pilot medical disability insurance companies, airlines, and the FAA.