The Diaries of Space Explorers

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 [email protected].

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

A casual conversation about how Joshua Kutryk became a test and flight, engineer, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut.

How the way of the J.E.D.I (Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion) can help built a more united global community.

Chat about robotics and space exploration with mechanical engineering student Vanessa Van Decker.

Learn how scientists search for evidence for life in our Solar System, and how we can unlock more answers about the origin of life on Earth.

Discussion with the founder of the space media company Celestial Citizens, Britt Duffy Adkins on how people can become just and fair stewarts of Earth and space.

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 [email protected].

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 something a little bit different to this podcast. This is my first two part episode special, and I am very excited for this to be my first!

I get to share with you, the story of how the first space sector fellowship foundation in Canada, the Zenith Canada Pathways Foundation, was created and how it has already helped so many students connect to the aerospace industry after less than one year since founded!

In this two part special, I speak with co-founders Hira Nadeem and Tahir Merali, and four of the selected Zenith Fellows of 2022.

This is part 1, and I learn about the Zenith Canada Pathways Foundation, a not-for-profit organization with the goal to provide internship and mentorship opportunities in the space industry to early-career professionals from underrepresented and disadvantaged groups across Canada. I speak with co-founders Hira Nadeem and Tahir Merali about the founding of Zenith and helping connect students to aerospace industry partners across Canada.

If you would like to learn more about Hira, Tahir, and Zenith, you can find them on the Zenith Canada Pathways Foundation website, or follow Zenith on Instagram and Twitter @ZenithPathways.

If you would like to learn more about the show you can email us at [email protected].

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 want to understand how the space sector works in multiple nations, but I am met with limitations because I am a foreign national. I see my friends who are also citizens also experience limitations, caused by defense department funding sources and government groups. How can the space sector truly become ethical and accessible if still today students and early careers are having to navigate barriers to obtain internships and jobs? I get to jump into the world of space sustainability and ethics by chatting with space explorer and sustainability and climate change PhD student Sahba El Shawa.

 

Sahba holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in mechanical engineering and a masters of science in space studies. She is a strong advocate for space equality and accessibility, in particular the decoupling of defense from space, which will help remove barriers that limit the participation of national and international students in the space sector. We dive into the work Sahba has completed during her PhD in space sustainability, and how she founded the Jordan Space Research Initiative to help Jordanians gain access to resources needed to join the space sector, and to provide opportunities for underrepresented communities  and raise awareness for Palestine’s in the space community.

If you would like to learn more about the show you can email us at [email protected].

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

Do you want to hear a casual conversation about space, why it is cool, and how humanity has been inspired by the innovation and hard work of the entire space exploration community? Space explorer Beth Mund and I, jump into the world of storytelling, science communication and media, and how one casual conversation can lead to a life changing event.

Beth Mund is a keynote speaker and space communications strategist who helps startups and big corporations tell their stories through her company, Stellar Communications. She has worked as a public affairs officer for NASA's Johnson Space Center and the International Space Station Program, where she was responsible for strategic communications on behalf of the program with national and international media. As an expert in space communications strategy, Beth is passionate about helping others share their knowledge and experience through storytelling. Beth Mund is also the host of the Casual Space Podcast and two-time analog astronaut who recently completed missions: in Hawaii and Poland. She believes we can all live like astronauts when we apply the little things that can transform our life on earth and beyond.

If you would like to learn more about Beth’s work, you can connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on Instagram and Facebook @casualspacepodcast, and her website bethmund.com. Also, don’t forget to follow the Casual Space podcast and listen to incredible stories by many people in the space sector!

If you would like to learn more about the show you can email us at [email protected].

Follow the Diaries of Space Explorers on Instagram @diariesofspaceexplorers

Host and creator: Gavin Tolometti

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