In the summer of 2019, members of the Simonson Lab went to Mustang, Nepal under the leadership of Cynthia Beall for her project studying Tibetan women at high altitude supported by the National Science Foundation. Pictured here, part of the research team wearing the traditional female Tibetan garb, called a chupa.

The town of Lo Manthang, where the research team spent multiple weeks collecting data. The sight of women carrying heavy loads is common.

Esteban Moya, one of the two team members from the Simonson Lab, teaches translators and nurses about the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) protocol.

Esteban Moya demonstrates the HVR protocol for the rest of the team so that they can effectively translate what it will feel like for research participants.

The HVR setup run by the two members of the Simonson Lab, Esteban Moya and James Yu.

The research team visits a grazing and resting nomadic yak herd, located at an altitude of approximately 15,000 feet.

Tsering Wangmo, one of the nurses who supported the Simonson Lab’s research, interacts with a baby yak in a nomadic yak camp.

Part of the mountains surrounding the village of Lo Manthang.

Esteban Moya takes a breather 16,800 feet up.

The team demonstrates an "orientation" of the HVR protocol for research subjects to put them at ease and show that the protocol is safe.

James Yu of the Simonson Lab conducts the HVR protocol.

The research team oftentimes had to trek for long hours to recruit research participants from other villages.

The research team traversed many flag-ridden walkway bridges while seeking research participants from other villages.

Tsering Wangmo assists in the HVR protocol.

Tsering Wangmo conducts a health class for the villagers of Lo Manthang, teaching them about general health practices, water hygiene, and disease transmission.

James Yu with the HVR setup.

The village of Tsarang, where the research team spent approximately a week obtaining measurements.

The research team participates in a cultural ceremony within the village of Tsarang.

The HVR setup within the village of Tsarang.

The many electrical machines needed to conduct the HVR protocol.

Sanitized mouthpieces and nosepieces laid out for the HVR protocol.

Rushing waters and cloudy skies during one of the research team's recruitment treks.

A kaleidoscope of Tibetan flags that mark the high points throughout Nepal.

The HVR setup at Ghami.

The HVR setup at Ghami.

The village of Ghami visible from afar.

Soaring rock formations defined one of the paths the team took to recruit study participants.

Soaring rock formations defined one of the paths the team took to recruit study participants.

Soaring rock formations defined one of the paths the team took to recruit study participants.

The multi-faceted cleaning setup for the HVR protocol.

James Yu conducts the HVR protocol on a study participant.

Esteban Moya shows a study participant how to properly use the mouthpiece and nosepiece required for the lab protocol.

Part of the road from Jomsom to Lo Manthang.

A villager helps carry one of three nitrogen tanks necessary to store samples.