Josh Venegas, a third-year medical student at the MUSC AnMed clinical campus, has earned notable attention through research projects he’s helped lead in neurology, ophthalmology and neurosurgery in recent months.
A large part of his recent work involves spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome, or SANS, where his research has explored the potential role of sleep deprivation and impaired glymphatic clearance in visual and intracranial changes during long-duration missions.
Conducted through MUSC’s Aerospace & Human Performance neurology lab with Dr. Mark Rosenberg, Venegas’ work drew the attention of NASA earlier this year. He and Rosenberg were invited to speak as subject matter experts during a private meeting of the government agency in July.
His ongoing efforts aim to inform both terrestrial and space-based approaches to neuro-ophthalmic health.
Venegas is a native of Chapin who plans to pursue a career in neuro-ophthalmology.
His involvements at the forefront of surgical intervention, clinical neuroscience and aerospace medicine exemplifies how medical students can simultaneously work to further bedside care and off-planet exploration, Rosenberg said.
“Glymphatics represents a compelling and rapidly evolving area of neurologic research due to its potential to unravel mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disorders, chronic headache conditions and associated physiologic abnormalities,” said Rosenberg. “Josh and I have had the distinct privilege of collaborating with leading medical professionals and researchers from Japan, Europe, Russia, and Canada over topics affecting the eyes and brain. Our collaborative efforts involved international study designs and refining medical protocols to address the specific challenges encountered in the context of human spaceflight.”
Venegas also published a case study and review article recently in “Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons,” where he described leptomeningeal hemangioblastoma with neuro-ophthalmic involvement. The report contributes to understanding rare causes of oncologic spread and neurologic dysfunction
His most recent publication in “Acta Neurochirurgica,” the monthly peer-reviewed medical journal on neurosurgery, examines whether antithrombotic therapy can be safely resumed after middle meningeal artery embolization for chronic subdural hematoma.
