Who we are
MUPAS Worldwide is run by three people. Here is who they are, in their own words.
Jim Segala
Chief Scientist
Dr. Jim Segala is a physicist, engineer, and Chief Scientist of MUPAS™ Worldwide. He brings more than 30 years of distinguished experience in science and engineering, with a career centered on the design and construction of advanced experimental systems. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics and advanced degrees in Engineering and has contributed to research and innovation across multiple scientific disciplines. Jim also spent more than a decade as a senior researcher at the Institute for Advanced Studies at Austin, working in areas including radiobiology and quantum optics.
Today, Jim's research focuses on reported anomalous phenomena and the potential medical and physiological effects associated with human contact with UAPs. Through MUPAS™ Worldwide, he leads ongoing research using environmental-monitoring and biometric technologies to measure what surrounds reported experiences. His work brings together scientific investigation, careful documentation, participant wellness, and compassionate support.
Jim believes that individuals reporting unusual experiences deserve to be heard, respected, and supported without judgment. For this reason, MUPAS™ Worldwide is focused not only on collecting meaningful scientific data, but also on supporting the overall well-being of its participants. By providing opportunities for peer connection, personal documentation, and a better understanding of environmental and biometric information, MUPAS™ strives to help individuals feel less isolated and more empowered as they navigate experiences that may be difficult to understand or discuss.
Jim is widely recognized as a respected subject matter expert in anomalous phenomena. He was featured in Season 1 of the History Channel's The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch, multiple episodes of National Geographic's UFOs: Investigating the Unknown, and Discovery Channel's Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch, among other media appearances. He is also a frequent podcast guest and sought-after conference speaker whose presentations are compelling, informative, and firmly grounded in scientific data.
Speaking: The Medical Effects of Human Contact with UAPs: Clinical Data and Ongoing Global Research — a science-based exploration of reported health effects, physiological responses, environmental factors, and biometric findings associated with UAP-related experiences, with the emphasis on responsible research, participant wellness, and compassionate support.
At the heart of Jim's work is the belief that rigorous scientific inquiry and genuine human support must go hand in hand. Through MUPAS™ Worldwide, he is helping to build a responsible global community where participants can document their experiences, connect with meaningful peer support, better understand their environmental and biometric data, and know that their experiences are being approached with compassion, professionalism, and scientific integrity.
Barbara Segala
Director of Operations
Barbara Segala is the Director of Operations of MUPAS™ Worldwide, where she oversees participant relations, program operations, communications, peer-support initiatives, device coordination, and the continued growth of the international MUPAS™ community. Working alongside her husband, physicist Dr. Jim Segala, Barbara helps ensure that participants are treated with compassion, respect, and professionalism while supporting the organization's mission to document and better understand reported anomalous experiences through environmental and biometric data.
A central focus of Barbara's work is the wellness and support side of MUPAS™ Worldwide. She recognizes that unusual experiences can affect many aspects of an individual's well-being and may leave people feeling confused, isolated, or afraid to speak openly. Through peer support, community connection, educational resources, and compassionate communication, Barbara works to create a safe and welcoming environment where participants can share their experiences without fear of judgment or dismissal.
Barbara brings more than 30 years of experience in early childhood education, program leadership, and family support. She has also spent more than 12 years in higher education, including serving as Associate Faculty in Early Childhood Education and Child Studies. She currently contributes her expertise to the development of college-level early childhood education coursework and the preparation of future educators.
Her extensive background in education has shaped her deeply human-centered approach to MUPAS™ Worldwide. Throughout her career, Barbara has been committed to listening without judgment, building supportive communities, developing meaningful programs, and helping individuals feel respected and understood. Although she is not an experiencer herself, she has worked closely with experiencers and research participants for many years and remains dedicated to ensuring that no one feels dismissed, isolated, or alone.
Barbara combines educational leadership, organizational experience, and genuine compassion in her work at MUPAS™ Worldwide. She is proud to help build a responsible and supportive global community where participant wellness is valued, personal experiences are honored, meaningful connections are encouraged, and scientific inquiry can move forward with compassion and integrity.
Charles Holt
Technical Support Specialist
Charles volunteers as the Technical Support Specialist for MUPAS™ Worldwide — The Experiencer Support Platform. He brings more than a decade of experience as an independent computer-support contractor, working with clients ranging from individuals to international corporations.
Charles is also a co-founder of the r/Experiencers subreddit and is currently involved with several organizations dedicated to researching anomalous experiences and raising awareness of contact experiences.
His technical expertise, patience, and genuine commitment to helping others make him a highly valued and respected member of the MUPAS™ Worldwide team. Charles approaches every interaction with compassion, professionalism, and an understanding of the importance of providing a safe and supportive environment for experiencers.