Colonel Jennifer M. Giovannetti is the Head of the Department of Biology, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO. She leads a 34-member department with 20 undergraduate biology courses designed to create awareness, appreciation, and an understanding of science and the principles of scientific reasoning. Her faculty and Life Sciences Research Center team, working with DoD and national laboratories, leads innovative research programs engaging cadets through classroom experience, independent study, and summer internships to support national security interests related to extremophiles, health surveillance, and human physiology emphasizing military medicine and operational capabilities.

Colonel Giovannetti was born in Pittsburgh, PA. She entered the Air Force in May 2001 as a graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy.  As an Aerospace Physiologist, she has served as an academic instructor for aircrew and as the primary liaison between flight safety, life support, flight medicine, survival, readiness and other agencies providing theatre and weapon-specific training to maximize human performance. She served as the 15 Medical Operations & Health Care Operations Squadron Commander, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI.  Lt Col Giovannetti commanded personnel assigned to four flights delivering outpatient medical services to more than 14,000 beneficiaries from the 15th Wing, 64 installation tenant units, and the surrounding community. She directed six clinics providing $8 million in quality healthcare during more than 30,000 patient visits annually.

Colonel Giovannetti has been deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, where she served as the Chief of Safety for multi-national operations, at Iraq’s busiest airfield.

Colonel Giovannetti holds a Master’s of Science in Exercise Physiology and is board certified in Aerospace Physiology and Exercise Physiology. She is married to Colonel Robert Giovannetti and has one son and one daughter, Enzo and Ava.

2001 Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, US Air Force Academy, CO

2002 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, AL

2007 Masters of Science degree in Physiology, University of Oklahoma, OK

2007 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL

2008 Flight Safety Officer School, Kirtland AFB, NM

2010 Sexual Assault Coordinator Course (SARC), Maxwell AFB, AL

2011 Air Command and Staff College (correspondence)

2018 Air War College (correspondence)

2001- 2004, Aerospace Physiologist, Little Rock, AFB, Arkansas

2004 – 2007, OIC Human Performance/Wellness Clinic, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma

2007- 2011, Flight Commander, Aerospace Medicine, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina

Sep 2009 – Jan 2010, Chief of Safety, Baghdad International Airport, Iraq

2011- 2014, Aerospace & Operational Physiology Program Manager, Pentagon, Washington D.C.

2014 – 2015, Chief Curriculum Development, HQ AETC, Joint Base San Antonio Randolph, Texas

2015 – 2018, Flight Commander, Aerospace & Operational Physiology, Joint Base San Antonio Randolph, Texas

2018 – 2021 Present, Commander, 15 MDOS, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii

2021 – Present, US Air Force Academy, CO

Air Force Meritorious Service Medal  (four devices)

Air Force Commendation Medal  (three devices)

Air Force Meritorious Unit Award

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award  (three devices)

Air Force Organizational Excellence Award

National Defense Service Medal

Iraqi Campaign Medal (one device)

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border

Air Force Longevity Service Award  (four devices)

Air Force Training Ribbon

Aerospace Physiology, Exercise Physiology, and Mind-Body Connection