Space medicine is a field in space science that focuses on improving procedures, diagnoses, and technology in the medical field, that can have major benefits for helping provide more accessible medical care to remote communities. Understanding how space medicine can be applied to the medical fields does require a perspective from both the medicine and space industry. To begin scratching the surface on this show, I speak with 3rd medical student Eleonor Frost; space medicine researcher and advocate for brining awareness on the benefits space medicine research has on the medical field.

Guest Bio

Eleonor Frost is a 3rd year graduate Medical student at Aberdeen university in Scotland. She is a graduate of UCL with an honours degree in Physics and Medical Physics. Eleonor works on the AMSRO Women in Aerospace Medicine group as social media coordinator and is the founder of the European Society of Extreme Environment Medicine.

Her experience in Space Medicine started with teaching and mentoring by Dr Kevin Fong on UCL’s Space Medicine and Extreme Environment Physiology course. Alongside this, her thesis researching the “Feasibility and Design of a Microgravity Surgical Workstation” has won a UK wide competition and gold medal at the international IAC in Washington DC. Before the pandemic, she was working as a research assistant at ISSET developing microbiology experiments designed by school students, which launched to the ISS in spring 2019. She is also the lead for two research groups: the SGAC SMLS working group researching how to study ICP changes in microgravity and the ‘Paraboladies’ defining pre-flight medical checks for suborbital spaceflight. As an avid STEM Ambassador, she has enjoyed going into the science museum and schools across London and Scotland to talk about space exploration to over 200 students. 

If you would like to learn more about Eleonor’s work, you can connect with her on LinkedIn, or follow her on Twitter @Astrosurgery.

For those interested in learning more about the space sector and space medicine, our guest Eleonor Frost has these recommendations and sources: 

AsMA (Aerospace Medical Association)

 - Aerospace Medicine Students & Residents Organization

 - Womxn in Aerospace Medicine

BUSEMA (British Undergraduate Space & Extreme Medicine Association)

UK Space LABS (Life & Biological Sciences)

Royal Aeronautical Society

 - NGAM (Next Generation Aerospace Medicine)

SGAC (Space Generation Advisory Council)

 - SMLS (Space Medicine Life Sciences) interest group

UKSEDS (UK Students for the Exploration & Development of Space)

The Physiological Society 

Austrian Space Forum (OeWF)

The Mars Society

You can check out this intro to space medicine YouTube series

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=JkuzwJfqX_M

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aYEim6Y1_Ug&feature=youtu.be

Health in Space series: Space Surgery

https://youtu.be/CdsLVVcDyaM

If you would like to learn more about the show you can email us at thediariesofspaceexplorers@gmail.com.

Follow the Diaries of Space Explorers on Instagram @diariesofspaceexplorers, Twitter @DiariesofSpace, and Facebook Diaries of Space Explorers.

Host and creator: Gavin Tolometti

Music Credit: https://www.purple-planet.com

I am very excited to introduce this episode as it is all space podcasters dream to interview an astronaut on their platform, and I am pleased to introduce Canadian Space Agency, or CSA, astronaut Joshua Kutryk. Joshua was selected as part of the 2017 CSA Group, the fourth Canadian astronaut recruitment campaign. Before joining the CSA, Joshua was an experimental test pilot and fight pilot in the Canadian Armed Forces in Cold Lake, Alberta,  with experience operating more than 25 different aircrafts. Joshua also holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering (1st Class Distinction) from the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario, as well as two masters degrees in flight test engineering and defense studies.

Joshua takes me back to when he was studying mechanical engineering and space studies at the Royal Military College of Canada and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I learn from Joshua how joining the space sector with an engineering and pilot mindset gives you a sense of learning how to prioritize tasks and achieve your dreams. So, without further ado, let’s get right into the episode.

Guest Bio

Prior to joining the Canadian Space Program, Joshua Kutryk (or Colonel Kutryk) worked as an experimental test pilot and a fighter pilot in Cold Lake, Alberta, where he led the unit responsible for the operational flight-testing of fighter aircraft in Canada, operating more than 25 different aircrafts.

Joshua held the responsibility for safely conducting the initial airborne evaluations of new technologies and systems on CF-18s. He worked with a team of aerospace engineers, analysts, aircraft technicians and program managers in order to make the CF-18 safer and more effective in its mission. Joshua has worked on a variety of technical flight test projects, ranging from navigation tests and flight control systems to weapon guidance and control.

In 2012, Colonel Kutryk received the prestigious Liethen-Tittle Award from the United States Air Force for being their top test pilot graduate, an award also presented to Colonel Chris Hadfield in 1988.

From 2007 to 2011, Colonel Kutryk served as a CF-18 fighter pilot with 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron in Bagotville, Quebec. During that time, he flew missions in support of NATO, UN and NORAD commitments around the world. He has been deployed in both Libya and Afghanistan.

Credit: Canadian Space Agency (CSA-ASC)

If you would like to learn more about Joshua’s work and astronaut journey, you can follow him on Twitter @Astro_Kutryk, or you can check out his biography on the Canadian Space Agency website.

If you would like to learn more about the show you can email us at thediariesofspaceexplorers@gmail.com.

Follow the Diaries of Space Explorers on Instagram @diariesofspaceexplorers, Twitter @DiariesofSpace, and Facebook Diaries of Space Explorers.

Host and creator: Gavin Tolometti

Music Credit: https://www.purple-planet.com

Injustice comes in many shapes and forms around the world, but all have one thing in common; the oppression of individuals based off their economic status, race, religion, gender, sex, political stance, or belief. Fighting injustice can happen on the streets or in the classrooms, and one way to do this is to follow the practice of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI). I learn a lot about how JEDI can improve the way humans interact, communicate, and collaborate together to not only solve world problems, but build stronger and more accessible and inclusive communities. My teachings come from my guest on this episode, electrical engineering graduate student Jin Sia.

Guest Bio

Jin is currently pursuing a Master’s of Electrical Engineering with a Collaborative Specialization in Planetary Sciences at Western University’s Institute for Earth and Space Exploration (Western Space.) He also serves as Chief Diversity Officer and Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors for the Mars Society of Canada. As a Malaysian international student studying in Canada, Jin hopes to bring a global perspective to the task of building a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive (JEDI) future for humanity in the cosmos.

If you would like to learn more about Jin’s work, you can connect with him on LinkedIn, or follow him on Twitter and Instagram @jinthespaceguy.

If you would like to learn more about the show you can email us at thediariesofspaceexplorers@gmail.com.

Follow the Diaries of Space Explorers on Instagram @diariesofspaceexplorers, Twitter @DiariesofSpace, and Facebook Diaries of Space Explorers.

Host and creator: Gavin Tolometti

Music Credit: https://www.purple-planet.com