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

Robotics and space science go hand-in-hand to ensure the success of numerous planetary missions, and lead to life altering innovations that benefit professions on Earth such as enhanced brain surgeries, new prosthetic limb technology, and automated machinery. Space robotics in Canada, and across the world, is becoming a transferable skillset that can be applied to not only space science and planetary exploration, but the improvement of technology on Earth. I learn more about space robotics and how it is being used by aerospace companies to enhance space exploration from mechanical engineering student Vanessa Van Decker.

Guest Bio

Vanessa Van Decker is a fourth-year Mechanical Engineering Student specializing in Mechatronics at Ryerson University under the prestigious President’s Scholarship. She has a passion for robotics and space exploration and explores that passion through the contribution of technical ideas and community leadership.

Vanessa strives to empower her community and is currently on the board of directors for the national non-profit Students for the Exploration and Development of Space Canada (SEDS) as the Events Chair. She led 6 Nasa Space Apps Hackathons across Canada and organized SEDS Canada’s annual Canadian Space Conference bringing together students, researchers, and space industry professionals. She is now the President on SEDS Canada, and has co-organized space webinars such as the Nepal x Canada in Space.

Beyond her technical accomplishments, Vanessa has a history of volunteerism. She has created discourse on important topics through organizing TEDxAlgonquinPark, and TEDxBrentwoodCollegeSchool. She volunteers for the Mechanical Engineering department as an Orientation Student Leader. Vanessa continues to mentor younger engineering students each year to reach a hand back after she has benefitted so much from mentorship, her mentorship and community work have been recognized by the LORAN provincial scholarship. Vanessa visits middle schools and high schools in her free time, especially in rural areas, to teach engineering and robotics concepts and inspire students with the possibilities available to them in STEM.

If you would like to learn more about Vanessa’s work, you can connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on Twitter @VanessaVDecker, and on Instagram @vanessavandecker.

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

The search for extant and extinct life in our Solar System has been a driving goal for many planetary scientists. Are we alone in the universe? Did our red planet neighbour once harbor life? Could we learn more about how life originated on Earth by studying Mars and other planetary bodies? These are all questions that Earth Science and Astrobiology student Sian Ford is working to help address.

Guest Bio

Sian Ford is an LGBTQ+ scientist that dreams of being an astronaut! She is currently a PhD candidate in Earth Sciences and Astrobiology working with Dr. Greg Slater at McMaster University. Her research involves using an interdisciplinary approach to help address questions regarding how scientists can search for evidence of extant and extinct life on Mars and learn more about the origin of life here on Earth. Sian's research involves detecting and characterizing microorganisms living at the very limits of terrestrial life as we know it, so we can better understand where and how organisms might live on other planets such as Mars, or moons such as Titan (building up to NASA's Dragonfly mission in the 2030s!). In addition, Sian is interested in the role phospholipids and their constituents may have had in the abiogenic origin of life on Earth some 4 billion years ago.

If you would like to learn more about Sian’s work, you can connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on Twitter @sianeford, and her website www.sianeford.com.

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

With the boom of the space industry, questions on how humans can ensure space travel, habitation, and exploration will be ethical, just, and fair have become essential to answer. We have seen how humans in the past have explored and colonized land on Earth, and many in the space industry are working to make sure that history doesn't repeat itself. We don't want a single community or group to be the dominate voice, we don't want land on other planetary bodies to be abused, ravished, and stripped of its meaning due to greed or ignorance, and we especially don't want space exploration to isolate many contributing communities. These are all tough goals to achieve, but the first step is to have conversations with many members of the space industry to gain new ideas, perspectives, and insights into our past and how we can help make our future bright. Where are these conversations happening? Well, to find out, I speak with Britt Duffy Adkins, a space urban planner and the founder of the space media company Celestial Citizen that promotes an equitable and just vision of planetary settlement beyond Earth.

Guest Bio

Before Celestial Citizens and her passion for space, Britt worked in asset management and real estate development. Now, she brings forth unique conversations about the human factors that will be essential to our long-term survival and presence on the Moon and Mars, and in deep space exploration. Britt is currently enrolled at the University of Southern California’s Price School of Public Policy pursuing a master’s in urban planning, holds a master’s degree in Space Resources, an S.B. in Urban Studies and Planning, and a B.A. in Architecture. Britt and I dive into the world of space urban planning, using podcast communication, and how everyone can learn to become responsible stewards of Earth and space.  

If you would like to learn more about Britt’s work, make sure to follow the Celestial Citizens podcast on Apple Podcasts, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Also, check out and subscribe to the Continuum space platform newsletter on the Celestial Citizens website to get your space news at a moment’s notice.

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

Sustainability is a word we hear a lot not just in the space industry, but every time we think about the future of the human race. Everyday, people search for new methods and innovations to conserve and reduce energy consumption at factories, office buildings, airports, and in automobiles. However, one place where we should be putting more focus on is our own home. Homes across the world, but especially in western civilization are using more energy that required, which has a direct impact energy use and demand, and more importantly, on our environment. Making homes more energy efficient, and less reliant on non-reusable energy sources such as natural gas, oil, and coal, can have a strong positive effect on combating climate change, and the development of more sustainable homes in countries with harsher environments. To talk about home sustainability, carbon net-0 homes, and the future of Mars infrastructure, I speak with Dr. Natalie Ren the founder and CEO of Astreia, a venture on a mission to build a sustainable future in space.

Natalie's company Astreia builds sustainable communities on Earth, advancing towards the goal of building settlements on Mars. Natalie formerly served as the Artificial Intelligence Specialist for the Australian government, and holds a PhD in Neuroscience, Master in Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, and a Bachelor in Biomedical Science (honors). She was inspired by the launch of SpaceX's Starman to tackle the challenge of human survival on Mars, but is also passionate about mitigating climate change to help preserve Earth. 

If you would like to learn more about Natalie’s work, you can connect with her on LinkedIn and follow her on Instagram @natalie.rens, or follow the Astreia Instagram @astreiainc account or 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

Welcome to part 2 of the Zenith Pathways special, where I chat with four of the Zenith Fellows of 2022; the bright future of Canada's aerospace industry!

I start by speaking with Vanessa Van Decker a 3rd year mechanical engineering student at Ryerson University and Manal Siddiqui an undergraduate studying computer science at Carleton University. After hearing both Vanessa's and Manal's love and passion for space I move to Makenna Kuzyk, a mechanical engineering undergraduate at the University of Alberta and Jagriti Luitel a second year mechanical engineering student at the University of New Brunswick.

All four of them are passionate space explorers, and I am excited to see them progress, excel, and innovate in the Canadian aerospace industry. Make sure to check out their profiles on the Zenith Canada Pathways Foundation Fellows page, follow their host companies, and find out how you can become a future Zenith fellow.

For Vanessa and Manal segment, start 1 m 45s.

For Makenna and Jagriti segment, start 23 m 49s.

Follow Zenith 2022 Fellows!

Vanessa: Twitter (@VanessaVDecker), Instagram (@vanessavandecker), and LinkedIn (Vanessa Van Decker)

Manal: LinkedIn (Manal Siddiqui)

Makenna: Instagram (@mak.kuzyk), LinkedIn (Makenna Kuzyk), and website (http://makennakuzyk.space/)

Jagriti: Instagram (@jagriti_luitel), LinkedIn (Jagriti Luitel), and website (https://www.jagritiluitel.com/)

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