The DO

The NASA engineer who went to osteopathic medical school at age 58

By The DO Staff

11.11.25

At an age when many people are considering retirement, Clarence Nicodemus, DO, PhD, was just getting started. A Vietnam veteran, Dr. Nicodemus worked for 25 years as a biomechanical engineer (including several years at NASA) and also served as an assistant professor in a department of orthopedic surgery and director of orthopedic spine research as a research engineer in Texas.