Maiden name: Naito; Doctorate in medicine from
Keio University School of Medicine, 1977;
Ph.D. in physiology from the same institution, 1988;
assistant professor of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Keio
University; hobbies: Skiing, bass fishing, scuba diving, tennis, golf,
photography, travelling, American Literature; was selected as one of two
Japanese backup
PSP for
STS-47 (Takao
Doi was the other one); was selected
as backup
PSP for
STS-90. From
September 2004 through September 2007, she worked as a visiting professor at
the International Space University (ISU). She provided her specialized
knowledge on space medicine and human space exploration health management for
the ISU Master Program students. From October 2007 through March 2011, she
served as Director of the Space Biomedical Research Office, Human Space
Technology and Astronaut Department, Human Space System and Utilization Mission
Directorate of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (
JAXA). From April 2011, Mukai has been serving as
Senior Advisor to the
JAXA Executive Director. Since July 2012, she has been
the Director of
JAXA Center for Applied Space Medicine and Human
Research (J-CASMHR).