The John Paul Stapp Award is given to recognize outstanding contributions in the field of aerospace biomechanics and to promote progress in protection from injury resulting from ejection, vibration, or impact. It is sponsored by the Environmental Tectonics Corporation.

James Pattarini, M.D., MPH, is the 2026 recipient of the John Paul Stapp Award. He is being honored for answering the call of duty on countless occasions to ensure the safety of NASA crewmembers from injury related to the dynamic forces from launch and re-entry/return from space. Notable examples include the return of Butch Wilmore and Sunny Williams from the Boeing Crewed Flight Test on a SpaceX Crew-9 vehicle. Dr. Pattarini was instrumental in analyzing the numerous considerations for occupant protection to ensure the crew’s safety. He also led the decision-making process for NASA on cargo pallet seat considerations when NASA was considering the possibility of returning crewmembers on the cargo pallet in the event of a contingency. In addition, despite being one of the busiest flight surgeons at NASA, he still finds the time to educate Aerospace Medicine residents in occupant injury and protection.