Canadian Space Conference (formerly Ascension)

Canadian Space Conference
To Infinity and Beyond: Innovation in Space 🚀

Thank you for attending the Canadian Space Conference, looking forward to seeing you all next year!

Announcement: the new name for the "Ascension" conference is the "Canadian Space Conference"!

The Canadian Space Conference is SEDS-Canada’s annual space conference where you can learn all about the opportunities in space and all the possible innovations by bringing together students, researchers and industry professionals.

We strive to provide an accessible conference, Space is for Everyone. All keynotes, workshops and panels will be interpreted in ASL and captioning will be provided throughout. Please email conference@seds.ca if you require accommodations.

Ascension is our annual space conference that brings together students, researchers, and industry professionals over a 3-day event. The conference attempts to close the gap between industry and students by creating a place for students to find their own place in Canada’s space industry. Attendees will have the opportunity to network and listen to fascinating talks from researchers and industry professionals on space development. The focus will be on this year’s theme “To Infinity and Beyond: Innovation in Space” to discuss about the plethora of opportunities in space and all the possible innovations. The Ascension 2022 conference will take place January 21 – 23, 2022.

Opening Keynote Speaker

Closing Keynote Speaker

Space Sciences, Engineering, and Exploration

As the Canadian space industry continues to rapidly grow, it’s an incredible time for those who dream about the stars, launching satellites into orbit, or sending shuttles into the beyond. The past few years have brought us self-landing rockets, the first image of a black hole, and another rover on Mars- but the innovation doesn’t stop there! Our speakers at this year’s Ascension will cover topics ranging from piloting a helicopter on Mars and the astrophysics of distant stars to lunar robotics and cutting-edge technologies to make interstellar travel a reality.

A Career in Space

Through our talks and panels, our speakers will not only discuss their incredible work but also the diverse paths they took through the space industry. And this isn’t limited to just the realms of engineering and technology! From doctors who have specialized in space medicine to Mars experts now surveying the Earth, our speakers aim to share their stories with the goal of inspiring attendees to find their own paths.

The Arts, Law, and Business in Space

The space industry isn’t limited to just science and engineering. In fact, it is an increasingly interdisciplinary field that relies just as much on the creativity of science communicators, the keen eye of lawyers, and the business acumen of entrepreneurs to make things happen. In this regard, our speakers will also cover topics on the connection between music and the cosmos, the intersection of astronomy and indigenous knowledge, and how to leverage networking to grow a career in the field.

Check out some of our featured speakers

Click on our speakers to learn more

Dr. Andrew Higgins
(He/Him)
Novel Propulsion Systems for Interstellar Flight

Dr. Matt Russo
(He/Him)
Music and the Cosmos

Dr. Tanya Harrison
(She/Her)
Developing a Career working on both Mars and Earth

Dr. David Kendall
(He/Him)
The Importance of Space Policy

Dr. Jamil Shariff
(He/Him)
MDA Engineering on the Lunar Gateway and Canadarm3

Dr. Mariek Schmidt
(She/Her)
Navigating Mars Rovers Datasets

Dr. Kris Lehnhardt
(He/Him)
Space Medicine and Work at NASA

Dr. Shawna Pandya
(She/Her)
Space Medicine and Simulation Experiences

Dr. Keith Vanderlinde
(He/Him)
Astronomy from Antarctica

Dr. Cecilia Leung
(She/Her)
Mars Technologies for Atmospheric Entry & Sample Return

Dr. Hilding Neilson
(He/Him)
Astrophysics at UofT

Ascension 2022 Sponsors

PLATINUM Sponsor Mission Commanders

GOLD Sponsor Astronauts

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Learn more about our team

About us

Check out our previous conference pages

Ascension 2021

Ascension 2020

Ascension 2019

Check out our other projects and events

CRISiS Concordia University & Queen’s University

University: Concordia University & Queen’s University

Team CRISiS (Cardiovascular Resuscitation Identification Simulator in Space) from Concordia University aims to engineer a new class of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) manikins as a testing platform to provide real-time feedback of volumetric flow rate within a cardiovascular fluidic system. This project is a stepping-stone in establishing a “gold standard” CPR for human spaceflight.

Microgravity Experiment Modules Establishment (MEMEs)

University: University of Alberta
Team Members: Aleeza Batool, Kinston Wong, Evan Frandsen, Justin Van Engelen, Troy Coward, Ryan Bererton Faculty Advisors: Prashant Waghmare, Hani Henein
Faculty Advisor: Prashant Waghmare, Hani Henein

Methods for additive manufacturing and 3D printing have become increasingly popular in recent years, especially in demanding aerospace applications. But can you 3D print metal parts in space? This team aimed to understand the use of Binder Jetting Additive Manufacturing (BJAM) under microgravity conditions. By examining the material properties of the manufactured parts, MEMEs hoped to learn what are the limits of additive manufacuring and determine optimal printing parameters for BJAM. Improved understanding of BJAM and it’s performance under microgravity conditions can enable new methods for in-space manufacturing.

StratoNeers

University: University of British Columbia Okanagan
Team Members: Elana Wood, Brody Bird, Yosamin Esanullah, Sydney Fang, Abrar Mahir, Alexandra Rybka, Iain Reid, James Ropotar
Faculty Advisor: Ray Taheri

StratoNeers tested hardware protective techniques to mitigate the occurrence of bit flips due to cosmic radiation in computer’s binary code. This experiment would provide new insights into protective techniques to safely store data onboard satellites, rovers, and space telescopes.

McGill Space Group (MSG)

University: McGill University
Team Members: Umut Given, Maneesha Kahale, Maninder Bir Sigh, Zachary Hayden, Alexander Buge, Alex Truong, Jakob Rylo, Harry Liang, Andrew Zeng, Eric Shen, Jenny Su
Faculty Advisor: Arun K. Misra

McGill Space Group studied the flux of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere from seasonal forest fires. Analysis of atmospheric flux of hydrocarbons, nitrous oxide, and black carbons could help forecast air quality in impacted areas and student environmental and health impacts of forest fires.

AstroBubble

University: Carleton University
Team Members: Andrew Yip, Iuliia Kolotylo, Zachary Pogue, Aaron Yu, Sukriti Kumar, Mili Patel
Faculty Advisor: Anatoli Ianouul

AstroBubble tested the feasibility of sensing cosmic radiation using plasmonic nanoparticles (metallic particles with unique optical properties of efficiently absorbing and scattering light). This experiment would provide new insights into plasmonic nanoparticles and manufacturing of lightweight, autonomous ionizing radiation detectors for space applications.

PolyOrbite

University: Polytechnique Montreal
Team Members: Ioana Bruj, Nikolay Tokmantsev, Jean-Thomas Dagenais, Frédéric Brunel, Sarah Albos, Yianni Hudon-Castillo, Andrei Alexandru Apostu, Rayenne Belakrouf, Xavier L’Heureux, Louis Racicot, Olivier Leclair, Richard Marcotte, Clément Mougeolle, Gabriel Chenier, Charles Le Pailleur, Fanny Fabre, Andrew Karim, Régis Guertin, Tom Guerin, Sawsen Chaffai, Nicole Tebchrany, Oscar Joaquin Isasmendi Ramirez, Dylan Tassé, Jérémy Bélec, Melissa Karabaghli, Arthur Morand, Aymene Mahroug, Ania Abdesselam, Paul-Emile Jennevin, Baptiste Langlet, Lyna Myriam Amaouche, Rayan Douair, Dahlia Iness Bouaou, Kenza Mansouri, Chloé Mireault-Lecourt, Ugo Mahue
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Giovanni Beltrame

PolyOrbite tested a novel “optical nose” sensor to characterize the composition of the atmosphere (CO2, O2, C2H4, H2O) during the entire balloon flight as a demonstration of the capability and robustness of the sensor in harsh environments compared to more traditional electronic/MEMS sensors. In addition, the payload was validating a plant incubator system which is intended to fly on-board a 3U cubesat.

QSET HORIZON

University: Queen’s University
Team Members: Kate Szabo, Joshua Wade, Thomas Sears, Cal Graham, Emma Paczkowski, Sean Tedesco, Karsten Faethe-Jackson, Varnikaa Gupta, Hawking Tan, Syed Muhammad Ali Hassnain, Joshua Gonzales, Tobias Chong, Thomas Tesselaar, Aidan Sheedy, Anthony Jones, Justine Kuczera

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Laura Fissel

The HORIZON payload tested a low-cost and lightweight attitude determination system using commercial off-the-shelf cameras to image Earth’s limb and estimate large-angle attitude changes during the stratospheric balloon flight. This test serves as both a proof of concept and help to characterize the performance parameters of the camera in comparison to traditional attitude determination systems.

Olaoluwa Oluwanifemi Awe

National Space Society Legal Fellow and the Secretary-General of the African Air and Space Law Association

olaoluwa.awe@mail.mcgill.ca

‘Nifemi is currently undertaking the Master of Laws program in Air and Space Law at McGill University as an Erin J.C. Arsenault Fellow in Space Governance.

Her research at McGill focuses on the role of law in propelling African States to exploit space technologies for Africa’s socio-economic development.

‘Nifemi is a high achiever and multiple award winner who has received various scholarships and awards for her program at McGill. In recognition of her academic excellence, she was awarded the Setsuko Ushioda-Aoki Prize by the Faculty of Law, McGill University. She was also awarded the African Space Industry Top 10 Under 30 Award in 2021.

She is a researcher and volunteer whose work aims to contribute to the development of space law and policy in Africa. She volunteers her time with organizations and programs geared towards Africa’s space governance and the development of the next generation of aerospace practitioners in Africa.

‘Nifemi is currently a National Space Society Legal Fellow and the Secretary-General of the African Air and Space Law Association.

In her spare time, ‘Nifemi loves to sing and travel!

Newsha Haghgoo

Master’s Student at the University of Toronto (Master of Engineering in the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department)

newsha.haghgoo@mail.utoronto.ca

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/newsha-haghgoo

Newsha Haghgoo is currently pursuing a Master of Engineering in the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department at the University of Toronto and is a Space Exploration Project Group member at the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC). Newsha and her team have been working on a research project that focuses on the health of female astronauts and their adaptation to space during long-duration missions and commercial spaceflight. Newsha also comes from a background in sustainable energy systems and is interested in using space technologies to study and protect Earth. Last year, she was involved in a CubeSat project that explored the impact of climate change by gathering oceanic data. She presented this research on behalf of her team at the 12th European CubeSat Symposium in Paris. In addition, she attended NASA’s 2021 SpaceApps Challenge with her team and worked on a project about flooding and simulating its detrimental impacts using the data provided by Earth-observation satellites. The competition committee selected her team as one of the global nominees in this challenge. Finally, she hopes that by gaining more experience in this industry, she can get new insights about space technologies and leverage that to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

Jana Gebara

University of Alberta student completing a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering

gebara@ualberta.ca

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/janagebara/ ,

Instagram: @MissionSpaceWalker

My name is Jana and I am currently completing a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a certificate in International Learning at the University of Alberta. I am a member of Mission SpaceWalker, one of four groups selected for this year’s SEDS Canada CAN-RGX challenge. I am also involved in several outreach initiatives to educate youth about space, as well as support underrepresented students in science, engineering, and technology. I hope to one day work in the aerospace industry and participate in the advancement of space exploration and development.

Grecia O’Brien

McGill University Alumni, Vice President of Marketing at Space Concordia

grecia.olanob@spaceconcordia.ca

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grecia-olano/

Grecia is a McGill University Alumni. She is currently attending the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science at Concordia University, specializing in Web Services and Applications.

Having previously held business as well as technical roles in various companies including Bombardier and Boeing, she is passionate about all aspects of the aerospace sector. Her interests lie in combining computer science, engineering, and business to bring about positive change.

She is proud to represent Concordia at multiple competitions and outreach events supporting Women In Stem. Grecia currently serves as Vice President of Marketing at Space Concordia, Concordia University’s very own aerospace association. In addition, she is also a member of both the Rocketry and Space Health divisions. She is passionate about science communication and enjoys designing engaging content to showcase a wide variety of engineering, and research projects.

Aaron Rosenstein

PhD Student at the University of Toronto studying Bioengineering

Aaron.rosenstein@mail.utoronto.ca

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronhrosenstein/

Aaron is a PhD student at the University of Toronto studying bioengineering. Part of his research involves identifying human genes which could protect astronauts from both microgravity and radiation experienced in space. During his MSc., Aaron discovered that DNA polymerase enzymes, essential components of DNA repair and replication pathways, make more errors in microgravity than on earth. He is a past participant of CAN-RGX II, and in his spare time enjoys hiking, skiing, exploring and eating tacos!

Marieke de Korte

UofT PhD Student studying Effects of Microgravity on Human Immune Cell Function

marieke.dekorte@mail.utoronto.ca

Marieke graduated from the University of Toronto with an HBSc in Molecular Genetics, Neuroscience and Immunology. During her undergraduate degree, she was involved with the UofT Aerospace Team, where she helped to design a microbiological payload to be launched into space onboard of a 3U CubeSat. Marieke’s passion for space medicine was ignited through her involvement with the team. As such, she is currently completing her PhD at the University of Toronto, where she studies the effects of microgravity on human immune cell function.

Caitlin O’Brien

Vice-President of Zenith, President of the Astronomical Society Society at OSU

Caitlin O’Brien is an undergraduate student at The Ohio State University majoring in Astrophysics & Astronomy and Physics. In 2019, she was named a Morill Scholar, recognizing her as a student engaged in diversity, leadership, and service. While working for the SciAccess Initiative she has contributed to numerous projects, including the SciAccess 2020 Conference— a virtual conference achieving over 1,200 registrants from 46 nations and all seven continents— and the SciAccess Zenith Mentorship Program (Zenith), which benefits blind and low-vision high school students. Caitlin helped to found Zenith and currently acts as Vice-President of the program. In 2021, she served as the Assistant Director of the SciAccess Conference. In addition to her work in outreach, she also serves as the President of the Astronomical Society at OSU, and a planetarium presenter at the Arne Slettebak Planetarium. She also serves as co-lead of logistics on Mission: AstroAccess.

Anna Voelker

Founder and Executive Director of SciAccess

Anna Voelker (they/them) is the founder and Executive Director of the SciAccess, an international nonprofit dedicated to advancing disability inclusion in STEM. Through SciAccess, they lead numerous science inclusion initiatives, including an annual conference launched by their receipt of The Ohio State University (OSU) President’s Prize in 2018. Along with George Whitesides, former CEO of Virgin Galactic, Anna serves as the Co-Founder of Mission: AstroAccess, a new SciAccess project that aims to pave the way for disabled space explorers. On October 17, 2021, Mission: AstroAccess flew its inaugural crew of disability ambassadors on a zero gravity parabolic flight.

Anna specializes in accessible science outreach for diverse learners and is passionate about making STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) accessible to all, as detailed in their 2017 TEDx Talk. In May 2021, Anna hosted alive NASA event where astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) answered questions from students with disabilities. This was the first ISS event to feature American Sign Language in over a decade. Anna was named a 2018 Brooke Owens Fellow, 2021 Future Space Leader, and previously worked at NASA Kennedy, NASA Goddard, the Space Telescope Science Institute, OSU Department of Astronomy, and the Aerospace Corporation.

Nicole Mortillaro

Senior Science Reporter at CBC

Nicole Mortillaro is an award-winning science reporter, as well as the editor of the Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

Clinton Senkow

Co-Founder & COO of Influencive

Clinton is the Co-founder & COO of Influencive which is an online media platform that teaches and inspires millions of people around the world about entrepreneurship, success, and technology. He’s the CEO of Senkow Ventures which is a digital consultancy focused on growing businesses through the power of partnerships. He is a writer on Forbes.com and is a member of the Forbes Business Development Council while also receiving the honor of being a top G20 Young Entrepreneurs Alliance member representing Canada.

Stephen Matier

President and CEO of Maritime

Stephen Matier, President and CEO of Maritime Launch Services (MLS), is the visionary and driving force behind the development of Canada’s first spaceport, a world-class commercial space complex that will launch Canada into the global space industry from near Canso,, Nova Scotia.  A mechanical engineer (Bachelor of Science, University of New Mexico, 1989) and an award-winning former NASA contractor engineering manager (NASA White Sands Test Facility), Matier is leading coordination and approval among provincial, federal and international governing bodies, conducting environmental assessments, negotiating land-use agreements, securing private financing, leading satellite sales, coordinating launch vehicle integration and selecting best-in-class commercial firms for the design, construction, and launch operations at Maritime Launch.   As part of Steve’s work with Maritime Launch, he is driving the collaboration and partnerships that will support the development of a safe and environmentally sustainable commercial space market in Canada. With satellite clients within Canada and around the globe interested in Maritime Launch’s offering, and a principal launch vehicle developer in Ukraine, Maritime Launch is joining a global industry that will exceed one trillion dollars annually within the next 20 years.  While Steve’s day-to-day focus is squarely focused on developing Canada’s first commercial spaceport, Matier’s interest in space extends beyond the technology and the launch itself. Steve has a passion for teaching, which means he is never far from the classroom, whether guest lecturing at a local high school physics class in Canso, or presenting to kids at summer programs in Antigonish. He has driven partnerships with St. Francis Xavier University and Cape Breton University and is a supporter of Dalhousie’s Cubesat program. His passion for working with schools began in his early career in the Space Shuttle program, with the recognition that kids can look up into space and see opportunity for themselves on the ground.

Hira Nadeem

Director & Co-Founder of Zenith Canada Pathways Foundation

Hira Nadeem is currently an M.E.Sc. graduate student in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Western University’s Institute for Earth and Space Exploration and received her B. Eng. from McMaster University. Hira is a strong believer in making space accessible and interdisciplinary. Through her involvement as the former President of the Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) Canada, and the Co-Founder of the McMaster Planetary Society, Hira has led teams to create opportunities for Canadian students and young professionals locally and nationally.

Last year, Hira was selected as the first Canadian Brooke Owens Fellow with the opportunity to intern at Planet in San Francisco, CA in the fall of 2020. Hira is excited to research solutions to problems both on Earth and in space during her Master’s, and looks forward to continuing to support and contribute to the Canadian space industry.

Regina Lee

Associate Professor of Space Engineering at York University

Regina Lee, PhD, PEng is Associate Professor at the Department of Earth and Space Science and Engineering, York University, Toronto, Canada. Prof. Lee received her Ph.D. from the University of Toronto in 2000. From 2000 to 2007 she worked at Dynacon Inc. as a (NSERC) industry post-doctoral fellow, and later as a Research Scientist. Prof. Lee’s research interests center on nanosatellite technology development. It has been a focus of Prof. Lee’s research to develop a series of space technologies that will lead to scientific nanosatellite missions. Currently, she’s investigating several areas including MEMS based attitude sensors and actuators to incorporate their low-grade characteristics; and optical payloads including a star tracker for Resident Space Object (RSO) detection, identification and characterization with light curve analysis.

Bethany Downer

Director of Communications at STAR HARBOR and

Chief Science Communications Officer at ESA/Hubble Space Telescope

Bethany, born and raised in St. John’s, Newfoundland, is a public communicator for space who aims to bring space and astronomy to the general public. Bethany believes that being inspired and excited by the space sector starts with a strong awareness and comprehension, which stems from effective communications and outreach. She is the Chief Science Communications Officer for the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes for the European Space Agency, and she is the Director of Communications for STAR HARBOR – the world’s first publicly accessible spaceflight training facility and R&D campus for space. Bethany also plans to partake in a suborbital spaceflight within the next five years. Bethany has twice been named one of Canada’s Top 30 under 30, and is a recipient of Canada’s Sovereign’s Medal from the Governor General.

Dr. Parashati Patel

Science Communicator and STEM Education Researcher at Western University

Dr. Parshati Patel is an Astrophysicist turned Science Communicator and STEM Education Researcher based in London, Ontario, Canada. She is the Educational Outreach and Communications Specialist at the Institute for Earth and Space Exploration at Western University. She is currently on leave from this position and on secondment to the Canadian Space Agency, where she is the Program Designer and Education Advisor with the Youth STEM Initiatives team. Dr. Patel is an Adjunct Research Professor in the Faculty of Education at Western University. She recently completed professional certification in Public Relations and Communications as well as certification in Digital Communications and Innovation from Western University’s School of Continuing Studies.

Originally from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, Parshati moved to Canada in 2006 to pursue Astronomy and graduated in Hons. BSc in Astronomy & Physics from the University of Toronto in 2010. She received her M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Astronomy and Planetary Science and Exploration under the supervision of Dr. Aaron Sigut & Dr. John Landstreet from Western University. You can learn about her astrophysics research here! Parshati has been communicating her passion for space science and technology with students and the public for the past 9 years in various capacities through outreach initiatives and programs at Western University. She develops and leads classroom workshops and camps, produces podcasts, organizes public events, trains educators, and acts as a science consultant for children’s books. Parshati conducts research in the Faculty of Education to understand and gauge the engagement of the participants as well as their outlook on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers and interest in STEM fields, you can learn more about her research here!

She has co-founded Women of Color in STEAMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics and Medicine) Canada in 2018. Since June 2019, Parshati has been part of the Principal Scientific Adviser’s Consultative Group to the Government of India. She is also currently on the Board of Advisors for SEDS-Canada.

Dr. Zheng Hong (George) Zhu

Academic Director of Research Commons, Office of Vice-President Research and Innovation at York University

Dr. George Zhu is a professor and York Research Chair at York University. He is an interdisciplinary scholar in astrodynamics and spacecraft technology with worldwide collaborations, students and recognition. His world-leading work on multiphysics modeling of space tethers has created high-fidelity design tools for space debris removal and novel space elevator for sustainable use of and access to space. Dr. Zhu is the College Member of Royal Society of Canada, the Fellows of Canadian Academy of Canada, Engineering Institute of Canada, CSME and ASME; the Associate Fellow of American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the Academician of International Academy of Astronautics, Senior Member of IEEE, and licensed Professional Engineer.

Christine Tovee

Mentor for Space stream at the Creative Destruction Lab (UofT)

Christine Tovee has been involved with a spectrum of space projects since her university years. After growing up in Sudbury, Ontario with roots in both the east and west of the country, Christine completed a Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Science-Aerospace from the University of Toronto. She then earned a Masters in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As part of her research work at MIT’s Man-Vehicle Lab, she developed a virtual reality experiment and trained the astronauts for NASA’s Neurolab Space Shuttle mission.

Christine Tovee has been involved with a spectrum of space projects since her university years. After growing up in Sudbury, Ontario with roots in both the east and west of the country, Christine completed a Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Science-Aerospace from the University of Toronto. She then earned a Masters in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As part of her research work at MIT’s Man-Vehicle Lab, she developed a virtual reality experiment and trained the astronauts for NASA’s Neurolab Space Shuttle mission.

After MIT, Christine moved to Europe to work in the aerospace and defense industry, initially with BAE Systems in the UK and subsequently at EADS, the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (now Airbus Group), initially with Paradigm Secure Communications subsidiary. As part of the technical management team, she worked on the Skynet V satellite telecommunications system, at the time the largest private-public partnership in the world.

Christine then joined EADS Astrium Services in Paris to explore future technical strategies in the areas of Ka band satellite telecommunications and services related to unmanned aerial systems. After a stint as Chief of Staff to the EADS Corporate Technical Office in Germany, Christine was appointed Vice President for Research and Technology and Chief Technology Officer for Airbus Group, Inc., the US-based subsidiary.

At Airbus, Christine helped determine the technology needs of all business lines in the US and delivered US-based research for the entire company. Based at the campus of California Polytechnic State University, she initiated collaboration between Cal Poly and Airbus Group on CubeSats, the new standard for micro-satellites.

Having returned to Canada in 2016, Christine now focuses on organizational topics related to innovation and engineering. She has a passion for expanding the contribution of women in technology leadership as well as the impact of science and technology on social challenges. As a member of the advisory board at Genecis Envirotech Inc., Christine provides strategic advice on technology and innovation management to an environmental startup spun out of the University of Toronto. She also works as a consultant to other Toronto-area technology startups on technology road mapping, strategy, and organizational design.

Christine is a member of Canada’s Space Advisory Board, which provides advice on Canada’s space strategy to the Minister for Industry, Science, and Economic Development.

Julie Claveau

Astrophysicist working as Program Scientist for Space Astronomy and

Co-Chair of the Women in STEM Advisory Committee at the Canadian Space Agency

Julie Claveau graduated with a degree in Physics and Astronomy. She is Program Scientist in Space Astronomy at the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) for Canadian contributions to missions like the James Webb Space Telescope and ASTROSAT. She is also CSA’s Co-Chair of the Women in STEM committee. She previously worked as an Earth Observation Mission Planner for the RADARSAT-2 mission and as Project Manager for the RADARSAT-1 Open Data project. She also worked in military operations as Naval Warfare officer for the Canadian Navy and in public administration. Her passion for space started at a young age, stargazing for hours, which then followed with a passion with the physics of space and our place in the universe.

Jason Michaud

CEO of Stardust Technologies

Jason Michaud founded Stardust Technologies in 2014 with the mission to empower the space industry through innovations in technologies, science, with the goal of making space more accessible to humanity. Through this Jason Michaud has established multiple international innovation projects with universities from around the world.

Through Stardust Technologies, Jason has established many international collaborations in the industry, notably the Canadian Space Agency, Western University, the National Research Council of Canada, Lockheed Martin, Beaverhouse First Nation, Habitat Marte, Blue Abyss, to name a few.

Jason has worked in collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency and the National Research Council of Canada on the EDEN project creating solutions for mental health of astronauts utilizing virtual reality, neural systems, haptics feedback in Lunar, Martian, and Micro gravity environments with the goal to make the first remote space hug possible with your loved ones on earth.

Most recently a very important international partnership between Stardust, ispace, EXPLOR, and the University of Technology Sidney was formed under the leadership of Jason to create the first haptics robotics arm, which will tentatively fly to the south pole of the moon in 2024 and will be aimed at promoting STEM education for the youth through the recorded sensations of the surface of the moon through haptics and the develop the future tools for the space industry.

Jason as studied at Collège Boréal in Computer Engineering and is a Certified Practitioner for CyberSecurity Certification (CPCSC) by Watsec Cyber Risk Management and most recently recognized as being part of the TOP Men in Aviation and Aerospace to Follow on Linkedin 2021

Jason is also involved as a Director at the Habitat Marte, in Brazil to further enhance its international collaborations, promote STEM education.

Jason also serves on multiple boards such as the ASBX 2021 on the organizing committee, the Centre de Formation as an Administrator, the Cochrane Board of Trade as a Board Director, and the Canada Nickel – Contributions and Procurement Committee.

With Stardust Jason as recently joined the International Astronautical Federation at the last IAF General Assembly that took place in Dubai, U.A.E., during the IAC 2021.

Jason had the honor and privilege to part of a panel representing Canada and Stardust for the Space Business Forum during the Expo 2020 Dubai organized by the Dubai Chamber, the UAE Space Agency, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, and the incredible team at EXPO 2020!

Éric Vachon

Director General for CSA’s Space Science and Technology Branch

Éric Vachon serves as Director General for CSA’s Space Science and Technology branch where he provides executive leadership as it relates to developing and maintaining a national space capacity and positioning the Canadian space sector for global opportunities. He is responsible for CSA’s $80M Space Capacity Development Program activities that range from pre-mission R&D to timely flight demonstration, with the goal of increasing space and market readiness, pushing the frontiers of research and knowledge with an emphasis on developing the space workforce of tomorrow by encouraging students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). His portfolio also includes CSA’s space qualification testing facilities – the David Florida Laboratory. Mr. Vachon has a vast experience of almost 25 years in the space sector. He joined the CSA in 1999 and has held multiple leadership roles, the most recent ones being Director, Engineering and Director, Technology Development where he successively headed CSA’s technology demonstration and R&D funding programs in collaboration with international partners and the Canadian industrial and academic sectors. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in space science.

Dr. Hilding Neilson

Astronomer, Astrophysicist, and Assistant Professor at UofT

He is an interdisciplinary scientist, working on astrophysics and on the intersection of science, astronomy, and Indigenous knowledge. As a Mi’kmaw person, he strives to embrace and integrate Indigenous knowledges and methodologies to better understand the physics of stars and the Universe and our place in it. More specifically, he probes the physics of stars, from the nuclear-burning core out to the circumstellar medium where stellar winds interact with the interstellar medium to understand connections between stars and planets; stars and cosmology; and stars and us. He exploits theoretical and numerical tools to compare with observational data sets to reveal the hidden physics of stars. He enjoys teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels as well as participating in public outreach and science communication.

Dr. Cecilia Leung

NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow at JPL

Dr. Cecilia Leung is a planetary scientist specializing in the present-day water cycle on Mars. Her research focuses on the atmospheric structure and dynamics of water, dust, and winds in the planetary boundary layer and in the lower atmosphere. Unlike the Earth, a significant percentage of Mars’ polar ice cap sublimates into water vapor every year, which gets carried by winds and deposited in other regions of the planet forming interesting clouds and surface features before circulating back to the poles and becomes incorporated into the polar ice caps once again. Dr. Leung’s research combines the use 3D numerical atmospheric models (global circulation models and mesoscale atmospheric models) and spacecraft data to study the global and regional atmospheric circulation of water, subsurface-atmospheric exchange processes, as well as coupling between the water and dust cycles. While earning her PhD from the Lunar and Planetary Lab at the University of Arizona, she worked on water-ice fogs in Valles Marieris, and modeling atmospheric influences on the formation of Recurring Slope Lineae. She also simulated regional dust storms in support of the Entry-Descent-and-Landing (EDL) of the InSight Mars Lander.

Cecilia Leung is currently a NASA Postdoctoral Program fellow at JPL, collaborating with Dr. Leslie Tamppari and the Mars Climate Sounder team to understand the vertical distribution water vapor above the Phoenix Mars Lander and the Curiosity Rover landing sites.

Dr. Keith Vanderlinde

Experimental Cosmologist, Long-wavelength Instrumentalist

and Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto

Keith Vanderlinde studies the nature and evolution of large-scale structure in the Universe, as well as the evolution of the cosmos itself. Studying large-scale structure requires specialized instruments and Vanderlinde is a member of collaborations using and developing ones that are unique.

One such instrument is the South Pole Telescope (SPT). The SPT surveys the sky at microwave frequencies to reveal the Cosmic Microwave Background—a snapshot of the Universe less than 400,000 years after the Big Bang.

Vanderlinde is also a member of a cross-Canada collaboration operating an innovative, digital radio telescope near Penticton, B.C. The Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment, or CHIME, is a radio array creating a three-dimensional map of the largest volume of the Universe ever. CHIME will also be an excellent detector of radio pulsars and the newly recognized phenomenon of Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs). CHIME began science operations in the fall of 2017.

The group includes the Dunlap Institute, CITA, UBC, McGill University and the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory.

Vanderlinde is also a member of a team using the Algonquin Radio Observatory in northern Ontario and the Giant Metre-wave Radio Telescope in India to make ultra-high resolution observations of pulsars, using pockets in interstellar gas as billion-kilometre-wide lenses.

Vanderlinde received his PhD from the University of Chicago and joined the Dunlap Institute in 2013. He is also a 2014 TEDxToronto fellow.

Dr. Jamil Sharrif

Astrophysicist at MDA

Dr.Jamil Sharrif is a Astrophysicist currently working on robotic hardware for space exploration at MDA.

Dr. Jamil Sharrif is a postdoc at the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics, specializing in observations of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB)

From 2015-2016, He was a postdoc in physics at Case Western Reserve University, working with Prof. John Ruhl on CMB polarization experiments.

He completed my PhD in Astrophysics in 2015 at the University of Toronto, in the Balloon Astrophysics Group. During this time, he specialized in developing the flight power systems, control systems, and scan strategy for two balloon-borne telescopes: the SPIDER and BLASTPol experiments. He also worked on the analysis of submillimetre dust polarization data from BLASTPol’s observations of molecular clouds in the Galactic plane.

For three months from late 2014 to early 2015, He lived at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, where he worked as part of a team of 20 scientists to prepare SPIDER for its launch and 16-day stratospheric balloon flight around Antarctica.

As a graduate student he co-ran the AstroTours: a series of free monthly astronomy public lectures and observing sessions at the University of Toronto downtown campus. He also participated in organizing outreach activities at such events as Science Rendezvous.

Dr. Farah Alibay

Aerospace Engineer at NASA

Farah Alibay is a French-Canadian Aerospace Engineer. Born in Montreal (Quebec, Canada), she spent most of her childhood in Joliette (Quebec) and of her teenage years in Manchester (United Kingdom) tinkering with any project she could get her hands on and fascinated with space and exploration. These passions led her to pursue a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Aerospace & Aerothermal Engineering from the University of Cambridge (Cambridge, United Kingdom) before moving back across the Atlantic ocean to pursue a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Boston, USA) with a focus on Systems Engineering. In 2014, she joined NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) where she is currently part of the M2020 mission, working on the Perseverance rover, which landed on Mars in February 2021, and the Ingenuity helicopter, which performed the first powered flight on another planet in April 2021. Prior to joining the M2020 team, she worked on several other missions, including the InSight Mars Lander and its companion mission the Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats.

Outside of her day-to-day job, Farah has a passion for science communication, having appeared in newspapers, tv and radio shows, and conferences across the world. She is a fierce advocate for women and minorities in STEM and has given herself the mission of contribute towards making this field more diverse and equitable. She is also active in her local community, notably as a Big Sister in the Los Angeles Big Brother Big Sister program, and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, helping children navigate the foster care system. Finally, in her spare time, Farah can be found exploring the mountains near her home where she enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and mountaineering.

Dr. Matt Russo

Lecturer at the University of Toronto
Co-founder of SYSTEM Sound

Dr. Matt Russo is an astrophysicist and musician who teaches physics at the University of Toronto. He completed his PhD and
postdoctoral research in theoretical astrophysics and is also a graduate of the University of Toronto’s Jazz Guitar Performance
program. He is the director of SYSTEM Sounds, a sci-art outreach project that converts astronomical data into music and
sound. Their work has been featured in the New York Times and they frequently collaborate with NASA to make astronomy
more accessible to the visually impaired. Matt’s TED Talk “What does the universe wound like? A Musical Tour” has been viewed
over 1.7 million times.

Dr. Kris Lehnhardt

Element Scientist for Exploration Medical Capability
at NASA Johnson Space Center

Dr. Kris Lehnhardt is the Element Scientist for Exploration Medical Capability at the NASA Johnson Space Center. He is also Senior Faculty with the Baylor College of Medicine in the Center for Space Medicine and Department of Emergency Medicine. He is board-certified in Emergency Medicine in both Canada and the U.S.A and he works clinically in the Emergency Department at the Ben Taub Hospital in Houston. Prior to these positions, Kris was an Attending Physician and Assistant Professor at The George Washington University (GWU) School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Kris is a reservist in the Royal Canadian Air Force, a private pilot, and a PADI advanced open water SCUBA diver.

Dr. Mariek Schmidt

Associate Professor of Earth Sciences at Brock University
and Geologist

Mariek Schmidt is an Associate Professor of Earth Sciences at Brock University and a geologist who studies igneous and volcanic rocks on both Earth and Mars. She received a BA in Geology from Colby College in Maine before going to Oregon State University where she got a PhD researching the eruptive history and geochemistry of volcanic rocks in the Oregon Cascade Range. Professor Schmidt first started working on Mars in 2005 when she was hired as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.. For this position, she was a Postdoctoral Collaborator on the Mars Exploration Rover mission and worked with data from both the Spirit and Opportunity rovers. She joined the Earth Science Department at Brock University in 2009 and established a research program investigating the eruptive and environmental histories of volcanic fields on Earth and Mars. In 2012, Professor Schmidt was selected by NASA to be a Participating Scientist on the Mars Science Laboratory mission, working with the Curiosity rover, a project that is ongoing. And in late 2020, she was selected by NASA to be a Participating Scientist on the Mars 2020 rover mission and will get to work with data from the Perseverance rover. Schmidt also keeps active in terrestrial research with ongoing projects on the histories of volcanic fields in central Oregon, New Mexico, Nevada, and Iceland.

Dr. David Kendall

Faculty Emeritus at International Space University

Dr. Kendall is the Faculty Emeritus of the International Space University. Dr. Kendall is also the past Chair of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (2016-2017). During his career he has held senior positions with the Canadian Space Agency including as the Director General of Space Science and Space Science and Technology. He is also a faculty member of the International Space University based in Strasbourg, France and a founding member of the Outer Space Institute. He holds an undergraduate degree in physics from the University of Swansea, UK, and masters and doctoral degrees from the University of Calgary in atmospheric physics. In 2002, Dr. Kendall was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in recognition of his significant contributions and achievement to Canada.

UAlberta Space Design Group

University: University of Alberta
Team Members: Kirtan Dhunnoo, Amira Aissiou, Kinston Wong, Shankar Jha, Sherry Gao, Vasu Gupta, Vince Montero, Nafisa Hasan, Rahul Ravin, Darsh Trivedi
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Adetola Adesida

Did you know that approximately 1/6 of people on Earth are affected by knee osteoarthritis? For this year’s CAN-RGX campaign, the UASDG team of University of Alberta Engineering and Medical students have designed a payload to investigate the gene expression of bio-engineered cartilage tissue in microgravity. After the flight, UASDG is looking to track changes in precise gene expression and metabolites, for both male and female tissues. Not only is the experiment pertinent to astronauts returning to the ground, their our findings could contribute to improving the health outcomes of knee osteoarthritis patients on earth.

Where are they now?
Analyzing their data from their recent microgravity flight; they’ll also be at IAC 2021 in Dubai!

TelOmG

University: University of Toronto
Team Members: Erin Richardson, Anthony Piro, Catherine MacKenzie Campbell, Dunja Matic, Emma Belhadfa, Krish Joshi, Luca Castelletto, Miranda Badovinac, Nicole Richardson, Samantha Aberdein, Taylor Peters
Faculty Advisor: Associate Prof. Rodrigo Fernandez-Gonzalez (University of Toronto)

The NASA Twins Study saw Astronaut Scott Kelly spend 340 days on the ISS while his twin brother Mark remained on Earth, providing researchers with the opportunity to measure
differences between the genetically matched subjects in two different environments. Unexpectedly, Scott’s telomeres lengthened in outer space but were subsequently shortened to pre-flight lengths within 48h of arriving on Earth. Due to the many factors present in the study such as microgravity, radiation, temperature, and other stressors of spaceflight, it remains unknown why Scott’s telomeres lengthened. It is therefore important to isolate the potential contributing factors, and determine if any have influence on telomere regulation, particularly microgravity. Therefore, team TelOmG aimed to investigate the effect of changes in gravity on the genetic regulation of telomeres.

Where are they now?
Analyzing their data from their recent microgravity flight; they’ll be at IAC 2021 in Dubai!

UBC Rocketry

University: University of British Columbia
Team Members: Paul Juralowicz, Eric Grant, Justin Lawrence, Kassandra Hawes, Peter Voznyuk, Robert Beda, and Samuel Young
Faculty Advisor: Prof. Thomas Mattison (University of British Columbia)

UBC Rocket’s experiment aimed to study the behaviour of microbial fuel cells in both micro- and hyper-gravity conditions. Microbial fuel cells are likely to play an important role in the future of space travel due to their ability to produce electricity while simultaneously doing useful work such as waste-water treatment in extreme conditions or methane production. UBC Rocket measured the current and voltage of four microbial fuel cells throughout a parabolic flight, hoping to gather information about the behaviour of MFC’s utilizing Shewanella Oneidensis bacterium.

Where are they now?
Analyzing their data from their recent microgravity flight.

Team UVic Rocketry

University: University of Victoria
Team Members: Sean Farley, Sachi Premathilaka, Eric Fraser, Shannon Dawson, Annaliese Meyer, Malaki Vandas, Natasha Stefani, Tessa Charlton, Leo Vandas, Meet Dobariya, Sarah Ebert, Sean Waugh, Avery Hiebert, Cheyenne Heenan, River Leuba, Graham Killinger, Aaron Brandt

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Chris Nelson

Recent work by NASA has investigated genomic changes in astronaut Scott Kelly induced by time in a spaceflight environment compared to his brother Mark Kelly who remained on earth, raising interesting questions about biological sciences in space. UVic Rocketry entered the growing field of space and biological sciences by using RNA sequencing technology to sequence the full transcriptome of a robust eukaryotic model organism, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in response to a periodic microgravity environment.

Where are they now?
During his graduate work, Sean Farley developed a miniaturized version of the team’s CAN-RGX experiment. This miniaturized platform was tested on board the Falcon 20 in 2021.

uORocketry

University: University of Ottawa
Team Members: Andrew Zavorotny, Tamjeed Elahee, Magdalena Richardson, Aashna Sharma, Jillian Prins, Jonathan Papineau
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Eric Brown (McMaster University)

Does our medicine work in space? What will astronauts do if they get sick on their way to the Moon or Mars? Partnering with McMaster University’s Brown Lab, uORocketry’s CAN-RGX’s team is poised to discover whether last line of defence antibiotics will be as effective in space as they are on Earth. Gentamicin, an antibiotic that is commonly used in antibiotic research, was used to interrogate the changes in the antibiotic resistance profile during microgravity. By investigating the changes in E. Coli response to gentamicin in a microgravity environment, they seek to understand new antibiotic resistant pathways in Enterobacteria. uORocketry also partnered with LetsTalkScience to visit local high schools to teach tomorrow’s scientists and engineers about working in STEM fields.

Where are they now?
The team is working on analysis of their flight data, in partnership with McMaster University’s Brown Lab. The team will likely re-fly their experiment in 2022.

Tridacna

Founders: Joseph De Luca (University of New Brunswick), Anna Olesen (University of Calgary)

Tridacna’s mission is to provide safe, effective, and environmentally-friendly radiation shielding options capable of protecting individuals and sensitive cargo on and off Earth, as well as in low Earth orbit.

Tridacna’s vision is to produce world-leading, practical radiation shielding options that are not lead nor polyethylene-based, for use by space agencies, organizations, and companies developing technologies and textiles primarily intended for use in space. Tridacna is particularly focused on the development of shielding options that can be reproduced in situ, exactly where they are needed, as opposed to requiring transportation to site.

“The dangers of space radiation, to people and sensitive electronics alike, is one of the most challenging issues faced by the space industry to date; as humanity transitions towards more frequent and long-term space travel, this danger remains one the most important problems to solve. Current solutions include the use of significant amounts of either dense, toxic lead or polyethylene; but these options are not sustainable long-term due to their bulk and cost. Tridacna’s product was inspired by mycosporines and mycosporine-like amino acids; UV-protectant molecules produced by the Tridacna genus, as well as other animals and bacteria evolved to live in high-volume sunlight environments. Through diligent research, it is Tridacna’s hope our alternative will be lighter, more economical, and even reproducible in-situ, making it a clear winner against other contemporary radiation-shielding options.”

Port-L

Founders: Charles Sirois (Polytechnique Montréal), Kaitlyn Lee (University of Waterloo), Kuthan Celebi (University of British Columbia)

Port-L’s vision is to lead the space research market in technology and business development and allow rapid growth in the commercial use of the Earth’s orbit and beyond.

Port-L’s mission is to create a set of integrated payload platforms that could house various experiments and provide all necessary manipulation and data collection capabilities remotely to researchers, at an affordable price.

“The end goal of Port-L is an end-to-end service to make LEO more accessible to research. Our primary goal is to allow researchers to be able to focus solely on their research, without having to worry about the logistics and challenges of sending it space (and possibly retrieving it). To do so, we will take care of booking the launch and the ground control segment but most importantly, we will make a payload that is able to automate research processes. In order to reach this end goal, Port-L will develop two products to build its brand and gain revenue to expand the business. Port-L’s first product offering will be specialized hardware on the ISS to automate pipetting. Port-L’s second product will be a chemical analyzer.”

TimeSULE

Founders: Hashim Farooq (Brandon University), Zaid Shariq (McMaster University)

TimeSule’s vision is to build an impenetrable data storage solution(s) in space for the storage of sensitive and classified data.

TimeSule’s mission is to provide users with a unique and highly secure way of storing sensitive or classified data by utilizing satellite solutions.

“Initially, TimeSULE will create a time capsule satellite that lets customers send voice messages, pictures and videos through an app that are then stored on the satellite; the messages can also be sent to another user at a later time. The user will also be able to track the satellite and see what the satellite sees from its camera. The time capsule functionality will continue to operate, but the focus will shift towards highly secure “big” sensitive/classified data storage (for use by banks, governments, companies, individuals, etc.). The End goal is to build data storage satellites for sensitive and or classified data.”

Dr.Tanya Harrison

Director of Science Strategy
Planet

Dr. Tanya Harrison is the Director of Science Strategy for the federal arm of Planet. She is also a “Professional Martian,” having spent the last decade working in mission operations for NASA’s Mars orbiters and rovers. She holds a Ph.D. in Geology with a Specialization in Planetary Science and Exploration from the University of Western Ontario, a Masters in Earth and Environmental Science from Wesleyan University, and a B.Sc. in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Washington. Tanya is also an avid science communicator, having made appearances on TV, radio, and podcasts around the world. You can find her prolifically tweeting about space, Mars, and inclusion in STEM on Twitter as @tanyaofmars.

SpaceShield

Founders: Chelsea Bahenduzi (Concordia University), Bedhya Bhattarai (McMaster University), Snigdha Majeti (McMaster University)

SpaceShield’s vision is to become the leading company that enhances the safety and well-being of explorers.

SpaceShield’s mission is to explore and develop smart and efficient solutions for pioneers’ numerous safety problems today.

“SpaceShield strives to ensure the safety of travelers. Our goal is to minimize the risk of exploration activities in different atmospheric pressures and harsh environments. Our service is to provide safe, sustainable, and comfortable equipment for our explorers. Our first product is a new leak-proof extravehicular activity (EVA) helmet. Our plan is to expand our product line and make the equipment available to space tourists, divers, and more.”

BioARC (Bio-Advanced Resource Corporation)

Founders: Keel Scruton, Alex Leak, Sean Clarke (all from McGill University)

BioARC’s vision is to be the name behind the future of deep space food production.

BioARC’s mission is to create novel food production technologies or systems that require minimal inputs and maximize safe, nutritious, and palatable food outputs for long-duration space missions. These solutions can also be deployed on Earth to mitigate food insecurity in remote regions and minimize the environmental footprint of globalized agriculture.

“Our proposed product is an insect growth and processing system that can provide a crew of 4 with sufficient nutrients (primarily protein) for the duration of their mission. The system will be relatively small, ≤ 2m3, and draw a limited amount of power, approximately 1,500 W average. Additionally, the system will require limited maintenance, roughly 4 hours per week for operations, and be able to separate egg, larvae, pupae and adult insects, autonomously, in order to properly process the adults into a palatable, safe food choice, while not harming the eggs, larvae and pupae. The system must use limited resources inputs (water, energy, insect feed, oxygen, etc.) and manage outputs (food waste, insect waste and gasses) with no dependency on direct periodic resupply from Earth over durations increasing from months to years.”

LEEP (Leading Extra-planetary Exploration and Preparation)

Founders: Liam Hinderks (University of Waterloo), Bryce Roseman (UBC), Abhinav Pathrabe (UBC), Jared He(University of Waterloo)

LEEP’s vision is to spark interest and foster appreciation for space exploration.

LEEP’s mission is to provide students with a unique program experience that provides hands-on classroom projects with an observable extra-planetary component.

“Our company would send a tadpole to space, as well as tadpoles of the same species to classrooms across Canada. Over the course of the development of the frogs, students would learn about the changes in development of the frogs due to the different environment. They would be given talks about what changes occur between the terrestrial frogs, and the frogs in space, as well as what causes these changes.”

Western UBT

University: The University of Western Ontario
Team Members: Benjamin Wolfman, JP Schnabel, Finn Hafting, Mohamed Toman, Amelia Colborne, Millpreet Kamboj, Rishab Bhatt, Oladayo Ogunjimi, Artem Alimenkov, Eustace Imafidon, Fland Pan, Zuzanna Jaglarz, Kunj Patel, Kevin Jing, Brandon Yip, Mahir Rahman, Jacqueline Chen, Melissa Jiang, Tiffany Chu
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Gordon Osinski

The goal of the Western UBT high-altitude experiment was to measure the effects of ionizing radiation on organic compounds. Samples of Vitamins B1, B12, and C, under different treatments, would have been sent to the stratosphere along with several sensors. Lab tests could then be conducted to measure structural and chemical changes in the samples.

NEUDOSE-HAB

University: McMaster University
Team Members: Paula Bosca, Jonathan Densil, Julian Morrone, Michael Chen, Nicholas Vrzovski, Dianna Dumitrescu, Devan Wagner, Aaron Pitcher, Travis Ratnaharan, Joshua Budisa, Kasra Abbasi, Sobia Nadeem, Andrew Masala, Yih-Chyuan Hsiao, Christos Liaconis
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Andrei Hanu

On Earth, our atmosphere shields us from the harmful radiation of space. However, as we send astronauts further and further into space, and for longer periods of time, they are being exposed to large amounts of radiation. These high amounts of radiation can severely increase the chances of developing cancer and other harmful diseases. The NEUtron DOSimeter Experiment (NEUDOSE) is designed to be able to detect and measure radiation, specifically being able to distinguish between charged and neutral radiation. This differentiation is important as charged and neutral particles interact with human tissue differently. Knowing more about the extent of each type of radiation can help us better protect humans as we explore the cosmos!

For updates from the NEUDOSE team check here!

Annie Martin

Annie Martin works at the Canadian Space Agency with the Operational Space Medicine group. She is the portfolio manager for the Health Beyond initiative, which aims at exploring and advancing innovation for the delivery of healthcare for deep space missions, with benefits to terrestrial communities. She is involved in strategic and management activities such as engagement with the innovation ecosystem and remote health stakeholders, collaboration with international and national partners, technology development, demonstration and approaches to medical care of astronauts on future missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond. In the recent years, Annie also worked with the CSA Innovation Planning group and the CSA Policy group, providing her with a wide perspective on the space industry and the space innovation continuum. Annie holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering from Polytechnique Montreal; her thesis was on innovation and collaboration in the Canadian space sector.

Tahir Merali

Mr. Merali is CEO of Escape Velocity Services Inc., a project management and technical consultancy supporting growth of small and medium enterprises. He is also Chief Operating Officer of 4pi Lab Inc., a Calgary-based space start-up providing unique early wildfire detection and monitoring capabilities using low-cost satellites for smart, real-time, global coverage. Mr. Merali is the Founder of Zenith Canada, a non-profit organization establishing a national aerospace career development and mentorship program for post-secondary and early-career professionals. Additionally, he is also a member of the International Astronautical Federation‘s Workforce Development-Young Professionals Programme Committee (WD/YPP). In 2018, he was awarded globally as a Top 35 Under 35 of the space industry. He holds a B.A.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering (University of Toronto) & M.Sc. in Space Management (International Space University). Mr. Merali is a Project Management Professional (PMP) & a licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng).

Iain Christie

Iain was the CEO of a successful space start-up company, Neptec Design Group. Iain worked for Neptec for 22 years, spending the last 7 as president and CEO. Iain also worked as the Executive Vice President of a national trade association representing the Aerospace industry in Canada for six years with responsibility for the policy shop and for business operations.

Iain has long experience in the space business having worked in mission planning, and operations, R&D, business development and both project and company management. During his time at Neptec the company successfully brought six different sensor systems from the lab bench to working on orbit on the space shuttle and International Space Station.

He also has a long experience of working with government procurement and support programs. In addition to running his own consulting company, he currently teaches in the Telfer School of Management in the Complex Project Leadership program, is a mentor in the space stream of the Creative Destruction Lab and is the host of podcast called Terranauts about people who “work in space… without ever leaving the planet”.

Cédric Seynat

Cédric Seynat is RHEA Group’s Corporate Strategy Officer, helping to steer the company’s strategic trajectory and bridge the gap between technology and business management. Cédric joined RHEA Group in 2016. Over the last 20 years, Cédric has lived and worked on three continents and gained all-round experience in science, engineering, programme management, business development, corporate operations and business strategy. He has held positions in the public, commercial and academic sectors, in organizations ranging from start-ups to large multinational institutions. Cédric holds a Master’s degree in space engineering and a PhD in remote sensing from Cranfield University, UK, and an engineering degree from Ecole Centrale de Lille, France.

Gary Martin

Mr. Martin retired from NASA after 32 years supporting space science missions, advanced technology development, technology transfer, and human spaceflight. He was seconded by NASA to ISU as the Space Studies Program (SSP) Director for SSP06, SSP07, SSP12, and SSP13. In addition, he has been elected multiple times to the ISU Academic Council and continues to lecture and chair Team Projects for different ISU programs. In 2017, Mr. Martin became a Senior Advisor to the Luxembourg Ministry of the Economy, where he contributed to the establishment of the Luxembourg Space Agency. In 2020, Gary was appointed the role of VP North American Operations at ISU. Mr. Martin holds a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering/Astronautical Engineering from George Washington University, dual bachelor’s degrees in Physics and Applied Mathematics from Virginia Commonwealth University and bachelor’s in Anthropology from Colorado State University.

Lucy Stojak

Lucy Stojak holds an undergraduate degree in law from the Université de Montréal, and a Masters and Doctorate degree in law from the Institute of Air and Space Law, McGill University. She has over 25 years of experience in the development and management of international, interdisciplinary, and intercultural educational programs. She served as the first Director of the Space Studies Program (SSP), a 9-week professional development program in the aerospace field, offered by the International Space University (ISU). She is a lawyer specialized in space law. Her fields of interest include security and space, the commercialization of space, and intercultural negotiation and team building.

She has been a member of the Canadian delegation to international organizations such as the United Nations, the EU, the OECD, the Conference on Disarmament and the European Space Agency (ESA). She is a Faculty member of the ISU and a current elected member of the ISU’s Academic Council. She is a member of the SEDS-Canada Board of Directors. She is a member of the New Space Associate Editorial Board (AEB). She is the Chair of the Canadian Space Advisory Board (SAB). In 2008, she joined HEC Montréal, the oldest business school in Canada. She is Executive-Director of Mosaic, a multidisciplinary platform for research and training in the management of creativity and innovation. Mosaic carries out academic research, action-research with local and international businesses and organizations, workshops, seminars, events, training and development programs, and a yearly Summer School on Management of Creativity and Innovation. This intensive 2-week program is designed to compare creative practices & methods from diverse fields ranging from industry and art to science, to foster innovation within organisations.

Matthew Tweedy

Matthew has worked with the Creative Destruction Lab’s Space Stream for the last two years. In this role, he has helped over 50 of the world’s most promising space startups. Prior to joining CDL he worked at an early-stage deep learning computer chip company and provided consulting services for startups.

Previously he managed the implementation of a robotic milking system on his family’s dairy farm in Prince Edward Island. He holds a JD/MBA from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and the Rotman School of Management.

Daniel Schulten

Daniel Schulten is MDA’s LaunchPad director based in Ottawa, ON. LaunchPad is MDA’s new initiative to accelerate and grow partnerships with innovative SMBs and Academia in Canada. Companies and academia that interested in collaborating with MDA are encouraged to contact the LaunchPad team.

Prior to LaunchPad Daniel has been responsible for business development of several space programs both at MDA and Space Systems Loral (SSL) in the US.

Before joining MDA in 2001, Daniel worked on the European Robotic Arm (ERA) Program for Fokker Space in the Netherlands. In 1998, Daniel attended the International Space University Summer Session in Cleveland, Ohio and has a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering of the University of Twente in the Netherlands.

Ryan Anderson

Ryan Anderson is the current president and CEO of Satellite Canada Innovation Network, a member-based, non-for-profit organization dedicated to driving the global competitiveness of the Canadian space industry by facilitating the growth of new and existing space technology and applications companies, the development of revolutionary products, and the promotion of disruptive services with the speed and success of industry.

Previously, he was the director of satellite systems at QShifts Inc., and a Mission and Systems Specialist at Mission Control Space Services. He was the co-lead in bringing NASA’s SpaceApps Challenge to the city of Ottawa and co-chaired the 2017 Canadian Space Summit. Ryan’s extensive professional and public engagement experience gives him a unique perspective we are happy to have at SEDS-Canada.

Specialties: Spacecraft Mission Planning and Design Satellite Operations Dynamic Satellite Simulators Spacecraft Operations Automation Telecommunications Spacecraft Systems Engineering Satellite Ground Control Systems Engineering.

Team Apastron

https://www.apastronspace.com/
Founder: Adam Paul

Apastron technologies will change the way spacecraft communicate by introducing a simple and reliable communications platform that provides 24/7 satellite connectivity with low infrastructure costs. Historically, satellites communicate with the ground using a link between one satellite and a ground station, meaning that communication can only be established for a few minutes per day. Apastron’s radios will network with each other, allowing for satellites around the world to talk with each other and relay data to a small number of ground stations, ensuring that a satellite anywhere in the world has constant communication. Furthermore, since Apastron radios rely on fewer ground stations and no dedicated satellites, constant communication can be accomplished for much cheaper than current solutions. As the nanosatellite industry continues to grow and missions become more ambitious, a better communications solution is needed, and Apastron aims to provide that.

Team Space Debris Removal (now Obruta)

https://www.obruta.com/
Founders: Kevin Stadnyk, Kirk Hovell

Orbital debris poses an increasing risk to operational satellites as more objects are launched into space each year. The slow decay of currently orbiting objects compared to the rate at which new ones are being launched means that the active removal of high-collision risk debris will be essential to maintaining a safe and operational future Lower Earth Orbit (LEO). Our company looks to capitalize on this emerging market through removing high-risk LEO debris either on the behalf of governments or private entities who are not capable of deorbiting their spacecraft at the end of its mission life.

Team SSAE (Space Science Applied Education)

Founders: Amine Doulfikar, Ian Cabales

Elementary, middle and high school students are losing interest in STEM and most notably space sciences as they progress through their education. This leads to students graduating from high school with no particular interest in pursuing careers in the space industry. This will no doubt hurt the space industry in the many years to come. Our products and services will add hands-on exciting and rewarding space sciences/engineering projects to students education. These projects will reignite the passion many students have for space and increase the number of students wishing to target the space industry when pursuing their careers. This will also have the positive effect of leading more students into STEM fields.

Kate Howells

Space Advocate and Science Communicator
The Planetary Society

Kate Howells is a science communicator, space policy advisor, and non-profit management consultant based in Guelph, ON. Kate’s day job is with The Planetary Society, a U.S.-based non-profit that works with the public to advance space science and exploration. She is also the author of Space Is Cool As F*** and serves on the board of directors of Royal City Science in Guelph.

Dr. Parshati Patel

Educational Outreach and Communications Specialist
Western University

Dr. Parshati Patel is an Astrophysicist turned Science Communicator, and STEM Education Researcher based in London, Ontario, Canada. She is an Educational Outreach and Communications Specialist at Western University’s Institute for Earth and Space Exploration. She is currently on leave from the Institute and on secondment to the Canadian Space Agency. Parshati is an Adjunct Research Professor in the Faculty of Education at Western University. Parshati has a Ph.D. in Astronomy and Planetary Science & Exploration from Western University. Parshati has been communicating her passion for space science and technology with students and the public for 9+ years through various outreach initiatives. Parshati is passionate about Equity, Diversity and Inclusion as well as uplifting women in STEM.

Patrick Hill

Postdoctoral Fellow
University of Alberta

I am a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Alberta advancing curation methods for planetary materials by investigating best practices in preserving samples returned from future space missions through simulations of returned sample curation and analysis. My Ph.D. dissertation focused on stable isotope ratios of oxygen and silicon isotopes in lunar material. I love all things planetary science, especially the Moon.

Dr. Sohrab Haghighat

CEO and Founder
SpaceRyde

Sohrab is the visionary leader of SpaceRyde. He has a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from University of Toronto, and was one of the first engineers developing Cruise Automation’s autonomous driving technology in San Francisco. Before Cruise, Sohrab was developing cutting edge technologies at Safran Landing Systems, Mitsubishi Electric Research Lab, and Cymer. In 2017, Sohrab left his job leading Controls and Planning teams at Cruise to move back to Canada and start the space launch industry in his home country. Sohrab has been an innovator for over 10 years, and published 12 patents before SpaceRyde. His entrepreneurial journey started in his youth when he developed a digital calendar in 1996 before Google existed. His first profitable business was running a tea stand at the university during his undergraduate studies where he served beverages and snacks on his breaks between classes. Sohrab is living his dream everyday, opening access to space, and bringing Canada to the forefront of the space launch industry.

Ryan Anderson

President and CEO
Satellite Canada Innovation Network

Ryan is the founder and President of Satellite Canada Innovation Network, a not-for-profit industry association dedicated to driving the competitiveness of the Canadian space industry. Satcan provides strategic consulting services to small and medium enterprises and recently brought together an advanced Optical Satcom Consortium (OSC), in collaboration with the National Research Council.

A professional engineer with over 13 years’ experience, Ryan has worked on dozens of satellite programs spanning design, development, procurement and operations. Most notably, as lead of Telesat’s innovation program, Ryan was instrumental in the early development of Telesat’s LEO constellation. Other highlights include work on COSPAS-SARSAT, PCW, Anik F2, Anik G1, Nimiq 6, NEOSSat, and Urthecast’s OptiSAR constellation.

An active member of space and engineering communities, Ryan is also President of the Canadian Space Society, a national association of space professionals, students and enthusiasts. He has led the CSS to a contribution from Global Affairs Canada to support a Canada Pavilion at the International Astronautical Congress and in successful Canadian Space Summits in 2013, 2017, 2018.

Ryan serves on the Board of Advisors for the Students for Exploration and Development of Space. In the past, he has volunteered for the National Research Council’s Marsville and Engineering Challenge programs to encourage Canadian students to pursue careers in science and engineering and served as Lead Engineer on the 31st Crew at the Mars Desert Research Station.

Patrick Hill

Postdoctoral Fellow
University of Alberta

I am a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Alberta advancing curation methods for planetary materials by investigating best practices in preserving samples returned from future space missions through simulations of returned sample curation and analysis. My Ph.D. dissertation focused on stable isotope ratios of oxygen and silicon isotopes in lunar material. I love all things planetary science, especially the Moon.

Vinita Marwaha Madill

Founder, Rocket Women
Project Manager and Business Development Lead, Mission Control Space Services

Vinita Marwaha Madill is a space engineer and Founder of Rocket Women. Vinita is currently a Project Manager and Business Development Lead at Mission Control Space Services in Canada, focused on lunar exploration missions and leading space health initiatives. Previously, Vinita has been based at the European Space Agency (ESA) (as a contractor via TERMA B.V.) focused on human spaceflight operations for future projects, including the European Robotic Arm to be launched to the International Space Station (ISS). Vinita has worked at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and ESA on International Space Station (ISS) operations and spacesuit design. At ESA’s European Astronaut Centre, Vinita helped design the SkinSuit and conducted a study on future spacesuit design for lunar exploration.

At the German Aerospace Centre, she guided astronauts through experiments and wrote astronaut procedures in Germany’s version of Mission Control. Vinita studied Mathematics and Physics with Astrophysics at King’s College London and went on to gain master’s degrees in Space Management from the International Space University (ISU) and in Astronautics and Space Engineering from Cranfield University, UK.

Vinita is an advocate for STEM outreach, founding the platform Rocket Women (www.rocket-women.com) that aims to inspire women to study STEM and consider a career in the space industry. Rocket Women has been featured in media including BBC, Stylist Magazine, She The People, Fast Company and The Telegraph. Based in Canada, Vinita led an Intelligent Transportation Systems team as an Engineering Manager and took part in a focused round table discussion with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, highlighting the importance of education. She was mentioned in ELLE magazine’s feature on ’12 Genius Young Women Shaping The Future’.

Team Astroplastic

University: University of Calgary
Team Members: Alina Kunitskaya, Harry Wilton-Clark, Amy Chen, Kaitlin Schaaf, Jacob Grainger, Maliyat Noor, Preetha Gopalakrishnan, Mariya Shtil, Helen Wang, Lalit Bharadwaj, Jamie Roeske, Thomas Bichel, Nithya Gopalakrishnan
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Mayi Arcellana-Panlilio

As part of the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition, the Astroplastic Calgary team developed a process to facilitate both waste management and manufacturing of goods on Mars. This process uses genetically engineered bacteria to convert human waste to bioplastic which can be used to 3D print tools. Since waste management will also be an issue on the way to Mars, the team’s goal was to adapt the system for microgravity environment. In particular, the team’s experiment tested the feasibility of using air bubbles to separate plastic particles from liquid in microgravity.

How did the experiment go?
The experiment tested two air bubble sizes and two air flow rates to separate plastic particles from liquid. None of the tested conditions resulted in separation of plastic particles from liquid. This may indicate that the proposed method is not feasible for plastic separation in microgravity or that further optimization to the air bubble size and flow rate is required.

Team QRGX (Queen’s Reduced Gravity eXperiment)

University: Queen’s University
Team Members: Aaron Rosenstein, Elisha Krauss, Matthew Bentley, Adam Tepperman, Janis Cheng, Simon Spichak, Stefan Sokic, Brenton Kuka, Izabelle Siqueira, Amanda Manget, Daniel Borisov, Matthew Duke, Min Baek, Alessandro Lanius-Pascuzzi, Viraj Bangari
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Virginia Walker

The space environment, unshielded by the earth’s magnetosphere, is abundant with ionizing radiation. Such conditions pose a challenge for DNA replication and repair machinery to effectively maintain genome integrity free of radiation-induced DNA lesions, which is an essential process required for long-term viability in space. The activity and functionality of the enzymes responsible for DNA replication and repair, known as DNA polymerases, have yet to be thoroughly investigated under conditions of microgravity. This experiment aimed to characterize a possible differential in the error rate (fidelity) and replication rate of these enzymes under conditions of microgravity in comparison to a 1G environment. This research group has developed an experimental payload to autonomously conduct polymerization experiments during flight. Post-flight, the team characterized any differential in DNA error rate and replication rate using a sequencing platform.

Where are they now?
The team has presented the results at several conferences, including the International Astronautical Congress 2019, and submitted a publication (under review).

Team QVIP (Queen’s Vorticity Innovation Project)

University: Queen’s University
Team Members: Becca Bonham-Carter, Louis Burelle, Josh Galler, Katelyn Morrison, Ben Simons, Kate Lahaie
Faculty Advisor: Dr. David E. Rival

The Queen’s Vorticity Innovation Project (QVIP) addressed the fundamentals of vortex formation and dynamics in unsteady fluid flows, which are currently poorly understood in microgravity. The team’s Observation of Ring Vortex Evolution in Liquids (ORVEL) project extended the study of vortices in two-phase flows to microgravity. The experiment generated a vortex ring of ferrofluid through a tank of water. The ferrofluid was injected into the water using a piston cylinder assembly, and the vortex ring that developed was observed. The images of the developing vortex ring were processed and analyzed using image correlation and post-processing techniques. Furthermore, growth and separation of the shear layer was determined using the camera’s frame-by-frame images. Vortex ring formation in two-phase flows can be related to flood flow in the human heart. Having a better understanding of blood flow in microgravity could help explain the negative effects on the cardiovascular system of astronauts.

Team FAM (Fluids Affected by Magnetism)

University: University of Toronto
Team Members: Mohamed Khalil, Twesh Upadhyaya, Hanzhen Lin, Jacob Weber, Tyler Gamvrelis, Ben Lappalainen, Wei Hu
Faculty Advisor: Prof. Philippe Lavoie

Fluids Affected by Magnetism (FAM)’s primary goal was to investigate the effectiveness of heat transfer mechanisms of a paramagnetic fluid (PM) in microgravity. The PM was manipulated using varying external magnetic fields which were modulated by altering the current supplied to the coils. On Earth, convection occurs in a fluid cell due to gravity acting on density gradients. In a microgravity environment, however, density gradients are absent. The magnetic field can be used to excite certain motion patterns in the parafluid that are akin to artificial convection. These phenomena have important implications for heat and mass transfer on spacecraft, however, they remain poorly understood. Therefore, this experiment aimed to provide a better understanding of microgravity heat and mass transport properties which could potentially improve spacecraft efficiency, sustainability, and the lifespan of its hardware.

Team STARFOX (Spinning Terrestrial-Analog Regolith Filtering Operation eXperiment)

University: University of Saskatchewan, University of Saskatchewan Space Design Team (USST)
Team Members: Carson Daly, David Forseille, J. Matthew Gjevre, Liam Gray, Jordan Himmelsbach, Skylar Koroluk, Adam Lozinsky, Aaron Peters, Austin Shirley, Seamus Woodward-George
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Glenn Hussey

The University of Saskatchewan Space Design Team (USST) is a multidisciplinary student group focused on planetary exploration and the democratization of space technology. Those members of the USST who make up the STARFOX project’s team conceptualized the project with the objective of establishing mineral processing methods suitable for microgravity environments. The team’s working hypothesis was that existing terrestrial mineral screening and separation methods may be modified to apply in microgravity. For this purpose, an axially rotating apparatus was designed to generate centrifugal force for mineral screening. A rotating cylinder was used to force mineral particles through two screens, into the screens’ respective collection bins. The apparatus was flight-tested to both optimize its design and better understand the dynamics of screening in a microgravity environment.

Team iSSELab (interfacial Science and Surface Engineering Lab)

University: University of Alberta
Team Members: Md Farhad Ismail, Nigel Rodrigues, Megnath Ramesh, Muhammed Khan, Ali-Reza Salehi, Aleksey Baldygin
Faculty Advisor: Prashant R. Waghmare

The recent upsurge in additive manufacturing and 3-D printing has become an alternative solution for numerous in-space challenges. However, little is understood about the behaviour in micro-gravity of the materials involved. Therefore, it is imperative to understand and investigate the processes underlying the 3-D printing process in micro-gravity conditions such as curing or crystallization. In this project, iSSELab observed the process similar to curing through a freezing mechanism and, based on the morphological changes in the frozen drop shape comments could be made on the alterations in the crystallization process due to the reduced gravity environment.

Team AVAIL (Analyzing Viscosity And Inertia in Liquids)

University: University of Toronto
Team Members: Andrew Ilersich, Michael Lawee, Caulan Rupke, Neell Young
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Philippe Lavoie

The objective of Team AVAIL was to investigate the coiling properties of various liquids under a microgravity environment. The coiling of liquids is a result of the coupling of the intermolecular forces within a liquid, namely the inertia, viscosity and surface tension which act to maintain the shape of a liquid column; and the external forces such as gravity which act to stretch the column like a rope. This experiment aimed to show the effect of a reduced gravity environment on the tendency and behaviour of coiling liquids. The team expected this experiment to demonstrate the effect of a microgravity environment on the rope coiling of liquids; in particular, they expected liquids to sustain a longer column before buckling and a reduced coiling frequency.

How did the experiment go?
The experiment showed that it is possible for liquid rope coiling to occur in microgravity environment. The team collected video data to examine the coiling frequency and buckling height and made observations about the relationship between fluid height and coiling frequency in microgravity.

Team COSM (Carleton Off-Planet Specialized Mining)

University: Carleton University
Team Members: Max Polzin, Keyanna Coghlan, Ted Gan, Richard Vicente, Michael Aziz
Faculty Advisor: Prof. Mostafa El-Sayed

Their experiment aimed to collect data about the effectiveness of different dust collection methods in low-gravity environments. The objective came from previous research and evidence that showed the negative effects of dust in space on both equipment and personnel. The COSM team would drill into lunar and Martian regolith simulant with a hammer drill encased inside an aluminum support frame. This would release large quantities of dust, at which point two different collection mechanisms will be implemented. The data collected aimed to be helpful in determining the effectiveness of different systems of dust mitigation, and analyses of this data could be central to designing equipment for future space research that effectively deals with harmful dust contamination.

Team QDMT (Queen’s Droplet Morphing Team)

University: Queen’s University
Team Members: Fernando Camacho Cadena, Patrick Chin, Jack Guebert, Chelsea Wallace, Peter Wright
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Bahman Gharesifard

Exercising control over the movement of fluids in microgravity is an important research problem facing the Canadian space industry. The problem of fluid control is appearing more and more frequently in many practical applications such as pumps, heat transfer systems, and propulsion systems for small spacecraft. Terrestrial fluid control devices are designed to move liquids under the dominant gravitational forces, however in the absence of gravity there are more efficient and long lasting options. QDMT tested a novel device which controls the deformation of a fluid droplet suspended in microgravity by selectively applying a strong non-uniform electric field. Fluid control devices using this technology promise higher efficiency, lower weights, and longer service times for extended travel of small spacecraft.

How did the experiment go?

Deformation of a fluid droplet was observed under varying electric fields. However, the amount of deformation was not as much as expected.

Team Waterloo Rocketry

University: University of Waterloo
Team Members: Adam Paul, Riley Holierhoek, Hussein Saafan, Justin Robinson, Aidan Ha, Kyle Tam, Ryan Tan, Jacob Deery, Doris Jiang
Faculty Advisor:

The MAgnetic Pump Loop Experiment (MAPLE) aimed to demonstrate an efficient method for fluid transfer in space. MAPLE used out-of-phase solenoid currents to generate a magnetic field to pump a ferrofluid through a plumbing loop. The investigation aimed at describing the effects of reduced gravity on the pump to ensure that it is suitable for spacecraft applications, as well as measuring potential efficiency gains in reduced gravity.

Where are they now?
The team has further worked on this project for the Spaceport America Cup/SDL Payload Challenge.

Team MERGE (McMaster Reduced Gravity Team)

University: McMaster University
Team Members: Jonathon Casella, Jarod Coppens, Gregory Lech, Elizabeth Sharpley, Michael Stramenga, Adam Tweedle, Gabriella Wynn
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Mohamed Hamed

On orbit satellite refueling is an emerging technology in the space industry that will provide major reliability and cost benefits to the sector once implemented – but refueling has its own challenges! As fuel enters the empty vessel, it will undergo sloshing, a common phenomenon where fluid moves irregularly in a microgravity environment. Sloshing results in dynamic forces that could affect the stability of the two rendezvousing satellites, introducing dangerous vibrations. MERGE’s experiment studied the effects of sloshing during satellite refueling and techniques to mitigate the effects. Specifically, MERGE examined the effectiveness of using slat-screens (commonly used in fluid dampers of ships and buildings) to minimize the sloshing of fluid being pumped into an empty tank in microgravity.

Where are they now?
The team has continued working on the project and has another flight aboard Falcon 20 scheduled in 2021.

Taryn Tomlinson

Senior Engineer, Strategic Relations
Canadian Space Agency

Taryn Tomlinson has spent her career committed to exploring and discovering space, from roles in academics to industry and now in government. Taryn co-founded a high-tech space startup in 2003, and subsequently sold it in 2008, after which she joined the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to work on the robot “Dextre” for the International Space Station. She has been an engineer and project manager at the CSA for 10 years, as well as serving as the Chief of Staff to the President. Taryn gravitates to discussions on innovation, on leadership, and the contribution of the diverse players in the space sector ecosystem. Taryn holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from McGill University and a Master’s Degree in Space Science from the University of California, San Diego.

Hilding Neilson

CLTA Assistant Professor
University of Toronto

Dr. Hilding Neilson is a CLTA assistant professor in astronomy at the University of Toronto where he studies stellar physics and exoplanets while working to integrate Indigenous knowledges and methodologies into the academic study of astrophysics. He is Mi’kmaw and a member of the Qalipu First Nation of Newfoundland.

Jennifer Elliott

VP Business Development and Co-Founder
QEYnet

Jennifer Elliott is VP Business Development and co-founder of QEYnet. QEYnet is a startup working on Quantum Key Distribution using satellites. Jennifer’s background is in aerospace engineering, specializing in the development of micro and nano satellites. During her time working at the UTIAS Space Flight Laboratory, she contributed to the development of five cutting-edge satellite missions that are currently in orbit. At QEYnet, Jennifer’s focus is on sales and business development.

Dr. Gordan Osinski

Professor and NSERC/MDA/CSA/CEMI Industrial Research Chair in Earth and Space Exploration

Dr. Gordon Osinski is currently a Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences and the NSERC/MDA/CSA/CEMI Industrial Research Chair in Earth and Space Exploration at the University of Western Ontario. He is a world-renowned expert in planetary exploration and the winner of multiple research awards.

His research interests include, but are not limited to:

Impact metamorphosed materials and the geology of meteorite impact sites on the Earth, Moon, and Mars.

Mars environment analogs on Earth, such as the Canadian Arctic.

Origin and evolution of life on earth, and the search for life elsewhere in the solar system.

Ore emplacement within the North Range of the Sudbury impact structure, Ontario.

Dr. Alex Ellery

Canada Research Professor
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Carleton University

Professor Alex Ellery is a Canada research professor who is involved in a number of far-sighted, futuristic research projects. Among his various research interests, he focuses on cyber-security and building self-replicating robots to colonize the moon. His work on cyber-security is focused on building autonomous space systems. These systems would be more secure than current systems because they will not require an operator to upload instructions to them – these instructions potentially being vectors for logic bombs and viruses. Dr. Ellery received his phD in aerospace engineering from the University of Cranfield, UK. He is also the author of two textbooks: “An Introduction to Space Robotics” (2000) and “Planetary Rovers” (2016). Currently, he is writing a popular science book “Manna from Heaven” about how to save the world through space exploration.

Dr. Gwendolyn Eadie

Assistant Professor of Astrostatistics
University of Toronto

Dr. Gwendolyn Eadie is an Assistant Professor of Astrostatistics at the University of Toronto (U of T), jointly appointed between the David A. Dunlap Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics and the Department of Statistical Sciences. Prof. Eadie’s research bridges astronomy and statistics, including estimating the masses of astronomical systems using hierarchical Bayesian inference and studying fast radio bursts using time series analysis. At the U of T, Prof. Eadie is building Canada’s first Astrostatistics Research Team (ART) consisting of people in both astronomy and statistics. She recently won the 2020 Connaught New Researcher Award at U of T, and her 2017 PhD Thesis won the Plaskett Medal from the Canadian Astronomical Society and Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

Dr. Shawna Pandya

Director
Project PoSSUM/IIAS Space Medicine Group

Dr. Shawna Pandya is a physician-scientist and astronaut candidate with Project PoSSUM, an aquanaut, public speaker, martial artist, diver, skydiver, pilot-in-training, VP Immersive Medicine with Luxsonic Technologies, and Fellow of the Explorers’ Club. She is Director of the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences (IIAS)/PoSSUM Space Medicine Group, Chief Instructor of the IIAS Operational Space Medicine course, a clinical lecturer at the University of Alberta, Primary Investigator for the Shad-Blue Origin student payload competition, Chair of Strategic Directives for the PoSSUM13, session organizer for ASCEND 2020, Life Sciences Team Lead for the Association of Spaceflight Professionals, and medical advisor to several space companies, including Orbital Assembly Construction and Mission: Space Food. Her publications include book chapters on space spin-offs for medical benefit, psychological resilience in long-duration spaceflight, and reproduction and sexuality in long-duration spaceflight. She previously interned at ESA’s European Astronaut Center and NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Dr. Pandya earned her aquanaut designation during the 2019 NEPTUNE (Nautical Experiments in Physiology, Technology, and Underwater Exploration) mission. She previously served as Commander during a 2020 tour at the Mars Desert Research Station.

Andrea Yip

CEO and Founder
Luna Design and Innovation

Andrea is the CEO and founder of Luna Design and Innovation, a Toronto-based startup that helps biotech and pharmaceutical companies plan missions to space. Luna’s goal is to advance health for humanity so people can lead full, healthy, and purposeful lives in space and on Earth. Luna is a channel partner for Blue Origin’s New Shepard suborbital reusable vehicle, focusing on global biotech/pharma and Canadian payload opportunities. Andrea is a biologist, design strategist, and public health practitioner with an extensive career designing human-centered products and services in the healthcare sector.

Jean-Francois Gauthier

Vice President, Sales and Marketing
GHGSat Inc.

Jean-Francois Gauthier is a mechanical engineer and lifelong space geek with over 15 years of experience in the commercial space industry in various capacities at COM DEV including design and test, project management and sales and marketing. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering from Dalhousie University and an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University. He is also a graduate of the International Space University’s Summer Session Program (2006). In October 2016, he joined GHGSat to help commercialize the products and services from their breakthrough satellite around the world. He now leads the growing Sales and Marketing team for the company.

Kevin Stadnyk

CEO
Obruta Space Solutions

Kevin Stadnyk is the co-founder and CEO of Obruta Space Solutions where he is working to improve the sustainability of the space sector by bringing space debris removal and orbital satellite servicing to the commercial market. With a love for all things space, he holds a BEng and MASc both in aerospace engineering from Carleton University. His other technical interests focus on attitude control and orbital mechanics. He also enjoys playing badminton and tabletop games in his spare time.

Bachar Elzein

CEO and CTO
Reaction Dynamics

Previously a researcher in combustion dynamics and propulsion, Bachar oversees launch vehicle development at Reaction Dynamics as well as building a world- class team to support the company’s vision. He has authored several scientific papers on a variety of topics ranging from rocket propulsion to systems engineering and has delivered lectures on the same topics, including a TEDx talk.

Mariam Naseem

National Point of Contact
SGAC

Mariam is a Visiting Scholar at the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science working on science communication projects and collaborating on research involving Ocean Worlds with NASA Goddard. Mariam has a BSc. in Electrical Engineering from UT Austin and an MBA from the University of Toronto. She has a global and multi-disciplinary background, having worked as a commercial space consultant, as a technology strategist in the Enterprise Innovation team at one of the largest banks in Canada, as a field engineer on an oil rig in Russia, a manufacturing engineer in a Product Development center in Texas and as a business development manager for a Toronto-based Quantum computing startup. Mariam serves as National Point of Contact for Canada at the Space Generation Advisory Council and as a SEDS-Canada Advisory Board member.

Adaeze Ibik

PhD student of Astronomy and Astrophysics
University of Toronto

I am Adaeze Ibik, a PhD student of David A. Dunlap Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Toronto. I am from the eastern part of Nigeria in Africa where I earned my Bachelors and Masters in Physics both from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Due to my passion for STEM development in Africa, I am one of the instructors for PASEA (Pan-African School for Emerging Astronomers) which is a bi-annual event across Africa. I have also been involved with lots of other science outreach projects and science communication in Africa and Canada. As a student, I spend most of my time studying the explosions in the universe such as Fast Radio Bursts and Supernova using different types of telescopes such as CHIME. One of the reasons for my research is to understand the universe and create awareness of our origin as humans through science communication.

Lucy Stojak

Executive Director
HEC Montréal

Lucy Stojak holds an undergraduate degree in law from the Université de Montréal, and a Masters and Doctorate degree in law from the Institute of Air and Space Law, McGill University. She has over 25 years of experience in the development and management of international, interdisciplinary, and intercultural educational programs. She served as the first Director of the Space Studies Program (SSP), a 9-week professional development program in the aerospace field, offered by the International Space University (ISU). She is a lawyer specialized in space law. Her fields of interest include security and space, the commercialization of space, and intercultural negotiation and team building.

She has been a member of the Canadian delegation to international organizations such as the United Nations, the EU, the OECD, the Conference on Disarmament and the European Space Agency (ESA). She is a Faculty member of the ISU and a current elected member of the ISU’s Academic Council. She is a member of the SEDS-Canada Board of Directors. She is a member of the New Space Associate Editorial Board (AEB). She is the Chair of the Canadian Space Advisory Board (SAB). In 2008, she joined HEC Montréal, the oldest business school in Canada. She is Executive-Director of Mosaic, a multidisciplinary platform for research and training in the management of creativity and innovation. Mosaic carries out academic research, action-research with local and international businesses and organizations, workshops, seminars, events, training and development programs, and a yearly Summer School on Management of Creativity and Innovation. This intensive 2-week program is designed to compare creative practices & methods from diverse fields ranging from industry and art to science, to foster innovation within organizations.

Tahir Merali

Chief Operating Officer
4pi Lab Inc.

Tahir Merali is Chief Operating Officer of 4pi Lab Inc., a Calgary-based start-up providing early wildfire detection and alert services via satellites for smart, real-time, global coverage. A social entrepreneur, he is also Founder and Director of Zenith Canada, a not-for-profit delivering bespoke aerospace mentorship for Canadian post-secondary and early career professionals. He also runs Escape Velocity Services Inc., offering project management and technical consulting to small and medium enterprises. Mr. Merali has worked across Canada and the world at space agencies and commercial companies in human spaceflight, space exploration & earth observation, including major programmes such as the International Space Station, Lunar Gateway and Canadarm3. He is an International Astronautical Federation Workforce Development-Young Professionals Programme Committee member, and in 2018 was globally recognized as a Top 35 Under 35 of the space industry. He holds a B.A.Sc in Mechanical Engineering (University of Toronto), a M.Sc in Space Management (International Space University), and is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng), Project Management Professional (PMP) and Advanced Open Water Diver.

Michel Wander

Systems Engineer
Canadian Space Agency

Invariably when you meet someone for the first time they ask, “What do you do?”
That is usually when a large smile creeps across my face and I reply, “Too much.” I’ve been a ski instructor, a lifeguard and swimming instructor, and now teach scuba diving. I am a private pilot and fly hang gliders and paragliders as well as skydive regularly, and run marathons when I find the time to train. I build and repair guitars and am “trying” to learn how to play them. When I was much younger I used to build and fly model rockets; that turned to radio controlled planes which I still do. I guess all that designing and building led me to get my degree in engineering at Concordia University, where , like many of you, I participated in SAE completions; Ultra-mileage, Mini-Baha, Aero Heavy-Lift and a few others. One of my first engineering jobs was at a small company, ATS Aerospace, that designed, built, and installed air traffic control simulators. As it was a small company, I had the opportunity to participate in pretty much every facet of the business, from project management and marketing to coding, testing, and training. That small company offered me a chance to travel the world and I wouldn’t have given up that experience for anything. For over twenty years I have been a systems engineer at the Canadian Space Agency and have worked on many projects including the International Space Station robotics systems, James Webb Space Telescope, technology development programs including rover prototypes and exploration tools such as drills, microscopes, and imaging systems to name a few. We also get to review student programs such as the small satellite program and the reduced gravity experiments (vomit comet). In my spare time I am part of the organizing committee for Launch Canada and mentor university student teams participating in rocketry completions which is one activity where the students are actually mentoring me.

Dr. Bhairavi Shankar

Founder
Indus Space

Dr. Bhairavi Shankar is a Planetary Scientist and entrepreneur. She founded Indus Space, a social enterprise, to raise public awareness around Space Science and Exploration and its links to STEM. Through programs and workshops (virtual or in person) she often works with all age groups. She loves to promote space science and the role of diverse women in STEM. She serves on the boards at Lotus STEMM (engaging South Asian girls in STEMM) and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada – Toronto Centre. Additionally, she participates in the Skype a Scientist and ESRI GIS Ambassador initiatives.

Marc Boucher

Founder
SpaceQ

Marc Boucher is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of SpaceQ, a Canadian media and market intelligence company. He is also the founder of SpaceRef, a US media company.

Christopher Kitzan

Director General

Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Chris Kitzan is the Director General of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, one of three national science and innovation museums that make up Ingenium. Building on more than thirty years of experience working for heritage organizations, including the Canadian Museum of History and Library and Archives Canada, Chris has also been instrumental in organizing the Canadian Aero/Space Skills Network. Brought together to realize a common goal – inspiring the next generation of aviation and space professionals – the network includes more than fifty members ranging from major Canadian industries and government departments to post-secondary institutions and school boards.

Clinton Senkow

Co-Founder & COO of Influencive

CEO of Senkow Ventures

Clinton is the Co-founder & COO of Influencive, which is an online media platform that teaches and inspires millions of people around the world about entrepreneurship, success, and technology. He’s the CEO of Senkow Ventures, which is a digital consultancy focused on growing businesses through the power of partnerships. He is a writer on Forbes.com and is a member of the Forbes Business Development Council while also receiving the honor of being a top G20 Young Entrepreneurs Alliance member representing Canada.

Erin Gibbons

Earth and Planetary Science PhD Student
McGill University

Erin is a PhD student and certified rover operator for the NASA Mars 2020 Perseverance rover. Erin’s research is dedicated to studying life in extreme environments on Earth – from volcanoes in Hawaii to frozen lakes in Iceland – and biosignatures they leave behind. The goal is to understand the limits of life as we know it so we may predict where and how to find it elsewhere in the Universe.

Wilfred Buck

Science Facilitator and Star Lore Expert

Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre

Wilfred Buck is a science facilitator and Indiginours star lore expert with the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Center. He is a member of the
Opaskwayak Cree Nation, within which he is known for his knowledge of First Nations astronomy. Through his research, Wilfred has compiled astronomical knowledge of the Cree, Ojibway and Lakota peoples. Wilfred is the co-curator of the ‘One Sky, Many Astronomies exhibit in Canada’s Science and Technology Museum, which features constellations of Canada’s indigenous cultures. He has also served as a storyteller in the short film “Legends of the Night Sky’ which is shown in the planetarium of the Telus World of Science in Edmonton.

Team HAB (High-Altitude Balloon)

University: The University of Western Ontario
Team Members: Matt Svensson, Alexis Pascual, Mohammed Chamma, Gavin Tolometti, Chimira Andres, Kelsey Doerksen, Nicole Devos, Bryan Southwell, Nikol Posnov, Jahnavi Shah, Bita Azad, Stephen Amey, Broderic Clement-Thorne, Dwaipayan Sarkar, Matthew David Mahaffy, Stephen Pilar, Jonathan Kissi-Ameyaw
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Gordon Osinski

The goal of the Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration’s (CPSX) High-Altitude Balloon (HAB) initiative is to sample bioaerosols along a vertical transect through the atmosphere. Bioaerosols in the upper atmosphere are poorly studied and comprise a significant gap in the scientific literature. The project assessed whether the inaccessibility of the upper troposphere and atmosphere can be circumvented using a stratospheric balloon platform. This research provided additional resources for studying the distribution and character of bioaerosols vertically through the atmosphere and comprised the first study detailing the utility of stratospheric balloons as a platform with which to study them.

For updates, check here!

Team HABOO (High Altitude Balloon Ozone Observer)

University: University of Alberta
Team Members: Stephanie Schneider, Sherry Gao, Evans Frandsen, Jean-Luc Olsen, Nigel Rodrigues, Harry Singh, Rahul Ravin
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Aleksey Baldygin

Sulphate aerosols proposed for use in solar radiation management (SRM) can cause side reactions that deplete the ozone layer. Calcite is proposed as a substitute aerosol for SRM due to its ability to inhibit side reactions while preserving the radiative forcing properties of sulphate. The effectiveness of calcite was tested by exposing samples to the stratospheric air for different amounts of time and measuring concentrations of reaction products.

AlbertaSat – MIIST (Multispectral Imager In Situ Testing)

University: University of Alberta
Team Members: Katelyn Ball, Casia McLeod, Erik Halliwell, Taryn Haluza-DeLay, Abby Lacson, Kevin Patel, Callie Lissinna, Tyler Hrynyk, Corbin Cooper
Faculty Advisor: Dr. David Milling

The University of Alberta is home to AlbertaSat, a student project group comprised of mostly undergraduate students that develop cube satellites, perform high altitude balloon missions and run an extensive educational outreach program. The main payload of Ex-Alta 2 is a multispectral imager, designed and manufactured in house. Their CAN-SBX experiment was an in situ test of the Ex-Alta 2 multispectral imager payload. The primary mission objective was to confirm that the mechanical and electrical systems that make up the imager work together as designed in a space-like environment. Performing real-world tests on designs developed in-house provides a swath of information that can be overlooked in the earlier design phases of the project. This information can range in value from enhancing design performance to identifying causes of system failure. Since the multispectral imager is the sole scientific payload on Ex-Alta 2, this information not only affects the performance of the imager, but the success of the entire cubesat mission.

Where are they now?
The team has continued to develop their payload, and intend to fly it on their Canadian CubeSat Project satellite. The team has learned a lot about adapting a payload from a testing on a stratospheric balloon platform to a CubeSat platform.

Team AC2O (Atmospheric Cloud Chamber of the Okanagan)

University: University of British Columbia – Okanagan
Team Members: Leonardo Caffarello, Javier Perez, Hector Carrillo, Giulia Rossi, Philipp Eibl
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jonathan Holzman

The Atmospheric Cloud Chamber of the Okanagan (AC2O) was designed to detect the flux of different subatomic particles at different heights in the atmosphere, with special focus on muons and pions. The experiment aimed to conduct an in-depth study of the life cycle of cosmic rays as they decay until the Earth’s surface. Another aim was to show the relativistic time dilation and length contraction properties of muons and determine if pollution and atmospheric composition affect the height at which pions decay into muons.

Where are they now?
The team has secured a spot for a second flight on the next HEMERA campaign and have added new people to their team. The team was also motivated by this experience to form the Student Independent Research Club (SIRC) within UBCO with which they are helping other students carry out their own projects; they currently have another 2 projects, on top of AC2O!

Dr. Roxy Fournier

PhD, Cell and Systems Biology

University of Toronto

Roxy Fournier received her PhD in 2020 from the University of Toronto in the department of Cell & Systems Biology where she studied the effects of microgravity on bone cellular processes. Her doctoral research was funded by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to support their human spaceflight program under a Flights and Fieldwork for the Advancement of Science and Technology (FAST) grant. Her work resulted in a peer-reviewed article describing novel methods to utilize an established simulated microgravity platform to study the response of osteocyte bone cells to mechanical unloading. She has also served as Program Manager and advisor for Canada’s yearly parabolic flight campaign for undergraduate students for 4 consecutive years. She led the initiative and established long-term partnerships with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and the CSA. She also gained reduced gravity flight experience, and was responsible for managing the delivery of flight research payloads and their integration into the Falcon 20 reduced gravity aircraft owned by the NRC. She is now coordinating an upcoming Arctic Research Expedition for undergraduate students to test space exploration payloads in Canada’s Arctic as well as serving as lead R&D Scientist for Mission: Space Food, a startup company focused on optimizing nutrition for spaceflight.

Coming Soon!

Not long until a connection is made!

Dr. Andrew J. Higgins

Associate Professor

McGill University

Andrew Higgins is a professor of Mechanical Engineering at McGill University, Montreal, Canada. He has over 25 years of experience in shock wave experimentation and modelling, encompassing shock and detonation waves in gas-phase and condensed-phase materials, with applications to advanced aerospace propulsion, defense, and fusion energy. He serves as the Managing Editor of Shock Waves, An International Journal on Shock Waves, Detonations, and Explosions. His two most recent projects have been: (1) Developing a hypervelocity launcher to launch projectiles to world-record velocities (exceeding 12 km/s) for orbital debris impact testing and (2) a research collaboration with General Fusion Inc. (Burnaby, BC) applying the implosion of liquid cavities to magnetized target fusion. In 2018, while on sabbatical from McGill, he was a visiting scholar at UC Santa Barbara in the Experimental Cosmology Group, working on problems related to interstellar flight. Andrew Higgins has a PhD (’96) and MS (’93) in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the University of Washington, Seattle, and a BS (’91) in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Illinois in Urbana/Champaign.

Kate Howells

Communications Strategy & Canadian Space Policy Adviser

The Planetary Society

In her role as Communications Strategist, Kate works to engage The Planetary Society’s myriad audiences in the adventure of space exploration. Kate provides tools, training, and other resources to help ordinary people share space with their communities, and connects Planetary Society members with opportunities to get involved in advancing exploration. She also writes for The Planetary Report and planetary.org on a variety of space and outreach topics.

As a Space Policy Adviser, Kate guides The Planetary Society’s positions on space policy and advocacy in Canada and connects Canadian Planetary Society members with opportunities to advocate for Canadian space science and exploration programs.

Kate also serves on the Government of Canada’s Space Advisory Board and is a trusted media source for expertise and analysis of Canadian space policy. This is also the author of Space Is Cool As F***, a science columnist for The Editorial Magazine, and creator, writer, and producer of the digital series Whoa.

Gay Yuyitung

Gay Yuyitung

Executive Director
McMaster’s Industry Liaison Office (MILO)

Gay Yuyitung is the Executive Director at the McMaster’s Industry Liaison Office (MILO); this office supports faculty, staff, and students at McMaster and the affiliated hospitals in obtaining government grants, working with companies for sponsored research contracts, and in the commercialization of their research. She has experience in negotiating license agreements to transfer technology from the university to both large multinationals, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises. Gay has also represented the university on the Board of Directors, and provided management support for several McMaster start-ups and not-for-profit organizations, including ProSensus, Turnstone Biologicals, and Triumvira, as well as the Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization (CPDC). Prior to joining MILO, she has had experience with marketing at MDS Nordion and price reimbursement at Eli Lilly. Gay has her PhD in chemistry from the University of British Columbia and an MBA from McMaster.

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Space Science Applied Education

Founders: Amine Doulfikar, Ian Cabales

Elementary, middle and high school students are losing interest in STEM and most notably space sciences as they progress through their education. This leads to students graduating from high school with no particular interest in pursuing careers in the space industry. This will no doubt hurt the space industry in the many years to come. Our products and services will add hands-on exciting and rewarding space sciences/engineering projects to students education. These projects will reignite the passion many students have for space and increase the number of students wishing to target the space industry when pursuing their careers. This will also have the positive effect of leading more students into STEM fields.

Apastron

https://www.apastronspace.com/
Founder: Adam Paul

Apastron technologies will change the way spacecraft communicate by introducing a simple and reliable communications platform that provides 24/7 satellite connectivity with low infrastructure costs. Historically, satellites communicate with the ground using a link between one satellite and a ground station, meaning that communication can only be established for a few minutes per day. Apastron’s radios will network with each other, allowing for satellites around the world to talk with each other and relay data to a small number of ground stations, ensuring that a satellite anywhere in the world has constant communication. Furthermore, since Apastron radios rely on fewer ground stations and no dedicated satellites, constant communication can be accomplished for much cheaper than current solutions. As the nanosatellite industry continues to grow and missions become more ambitious, a better communications solution is needed, and Apastron aims to provide that.

Space Debris Removal (now Obruta)

https://www.obruta.com/
Founders: Kevin Stadnyk, Kirk Hovell

Orbital debris poses an increasing risk to operational satellites as more objects are launched into space each year. The slow decay of currently orbiting objects compared to the rate at which new ones are being launched means that the active removal of high-collision risk debris will be essential to maintaining a safe and operational future Lower Earth Orbit (LEO). Our company looks to capitalize on this emerging market through removing high-risk LEO debris either on the behalf of governments or private entities who are not capable of deorbiting their spacecraft at the end of its mission life.

Andrea Yip

Founder/CEO
Luna Design and Innovation

Andrea is the CEO and founder of Luna Design and Innovation, a Toronto-based startup that is creating end-to-end mission planning experiences for the biotech and pharma industry. Our goal is to advance health for humanity so people can lead full, healthy, and purposeful lives in space and on Earth. Luna is the global biotech partner and Canadian point of contact for Blue Origin.

Andrea is a scientist, design strategist, and public health practitioner with an extensive career designing human-centered products and services in the public and private health sectors. She previously led cross-functional global design initiatives at Johnson & Johnson and consulted with Virgin Galactic on the future of commercial spaceflight. Andrea is passionate about building products and systems that advance the future of health for humanity.

Zaid Rana

National Point of Contact for Canada
Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)

Zaid is currently the National Point of Contact for Canada with the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) and working for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) as a Junior Program Scientist. He has previously completed an internship in 2018 at CSA in systems engineering and a one-year traineeship term at the European Space Agency (ESA) in 2019. Over the course of his time at ESA, he has engaged in various domains ranging from space operations to space resources, with a focus on lunar in-situ resource utilization. He also led the development of Space Concordia’s Orbital Dust Imaging Nanosatellite (SC-ODIN), a 3U Earth-observing CubeSat and one of 15 projects selected across Canada by the CSA for the Canadian CubeSat Project. The spacecraft is anticipated to launch from the ISS in 2021. SC-ODIN’s primary mission is to study dust particles across large geographic areas and its role in Earth’s energy budget as well as to improve current climate models. Zaid is actively involved in space advocacy, in addition to education and public outreach initiatives across Canada in his capacity with SGAC.

WatLock

Alyssa Ang, Shawn Lobo, Jeff Kim, Molly Lu, and Priya Jain are representing WatLock, a diverse student design team from the University of Waterloo consisting of students from multiple faculties: Engineering, Science, Mathematics and Arts. WatLock’s mission is to design an airlock for human habitation on Mars. Consisting of a multifaceted group of young innovators, WatLock hopes to address the many challenges of space exploration, space engineering and space colonization.

Jay Modi

Founder
Starscape Creative

Jay is a Chemical and Bioengineer from McMaster University and an alumnus fo the International Space University (ISU) Space Studies program 2018. He served the following year (2019) as a Teaching Associate in the Space Applications department. Jay’s passion and curiosity for Space Exploration have always driven him to seek adventure and gain different perspectives. He aims to always seek knowledge, experiences and continue to develop new skills. Jay’s other interest lies in biotechnology, emerging markets that will shape our future and business. Outside of academia, he enjoys dancing, hip-hop, basketball and staying active when he can. He is also the Founder of Starscape Creative, with a mission to ignite curiosity and wonder about Outer Space and its benefits through Art. He is actively involved with the Space community in Canada and internationally through ISU and Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC).

Daniel McCammon

Co-Founder/VP Engineering
C6 Launch

Daniel McCammon is the Co-founder and VP Engineering of C6 Launch Systems (c6launch.ca), a new Canadian company providing dedicated, on-demand turnkey launch services specifically for the nano and CubeSat market. The C6 Launch rocket is capable of inserting up to 30 kg payloads into SSO and custom orbits with suborbital flights mid-2021 and orbital flights in early 2022.

Daniel has a MASc in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, and specializes in systems engineering/project management, high-speed aerodynamics, numerical analysis and CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics). As VP Engineering at C6 Launch, he is providing oversight and management of the rocket design team

Alex Sekung

Student
University of North Texas

Alex is an undergraduate student at the University of North Texas. He is the Vice President of SEDS UNT and is helping plan the SpaceVision 2020 conference in Fall 2020. After completing his first analogue astronaut mission, he has become more interested in deep-space technologies. Alex plans to work as an engineer, focusing on electric propulsion, or possibly an astronaut with NASA in the future.

Adam Sniderman

Systems Engineer
Canadensys Aerospace

Dr. Adam Sniderman is a systems engineer working at Canadensys Aerospace, where he develops devices and software for robotic systems both on- and off-planet. He holds a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the University of Toronto and a B.A.Sc. in mathematics & engineering from Queen’s University, with a specialization in control theory and robotics. Adam has long had his head in the clouds, but is a recent transplant into the space sector, coming from a background spanning medical robotics, machine learning, and coordinated multirobot systems. He is passionate about science communication and education, and is excited to be joining this year’s SEDS Ascension line-up.

Elias Solorzano

Member of Technical Staff
MDA

Elias is an aerospace engineer at MDA, where he supports robotic operations using the Canadarm-2 and Dextre manipulators onboard the International Space Station (ISS), and the development of advanced dexterous-robotic solutions for extreme environments on Earth, the Moon and beyond. He completed his Master of Applied Science at the University of Toronto’s Space Flight Laboratory, where he specialized in end-to-end spacecraft development and testing. He previously served as President of SEDS-Canada in 2017, and co-founded Canada’s reduced experiment design challenge (CAN-RGX). He’s an avid scuba diver, pilot in training and outdoorsman.

Shawna Pandya

Citizen-Scientist Astronaut Candidate

Dr. Shawna Pandya is a scientist-astronaut candidate with Project PoSSUM, physician, aquanaut, speaker, martial artist, advanced diver, skydiver, pilot-in-training, VP Immersive Medicine with Luxsonic Technologies and Fellow of the Explorers’ Club. She holds degrees in neuroscience, space, entrepreneurship and medicine, and is currently completing a fellowship in Wilderness Medicine.

In 2015, Dr. Pandya completed scientist-astronaut candidate training with Project PoSSUM (Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere) and was on the first crew to test a commercial spacesuit in zero-gravity. She has flown over 140 parabolas in microgravity to date. Dr. Pandya is the lead instructor for Project PoSSUM’s EVA 102: Operational Space Medicine course. Through Project PoSSUM, she completed hypobaric hypoxia training, centrifuge studies, aerobatic flight, basic and advanced emergency spacecraft egress and sea survival training, and high altitude noctilucent cloud research. Dr. Pandya also completed a tour at the Mars Desert Research Station analog in Utah, both as Commander and as Crew Health & Safety Officer. In 2019, Dr. Pandya attained her aquanaut designation during a 5-day underwater mission (NEPTUNE) at the Jules Underwater Lodge, completed the World Extreme Medicine Hyperbaric and Dive Medicine Course at Aquarius Reef Base, where NASA NEEMO missions take place, and was named a fellow of the Explorers’ Club. Her adventures were recently captured in the Land Rover short, released with the Apollo 11: First Steps film.

Sobia Nadeem

President
McMaster Planetary Society

Sobia Nadeem is a second year Engineering Physics student at McMaster University. She is the President of the McMaster Planetary Society and in November of 2019, her team organized McMaster’s first Space Week. There were several events hosted by other McMaster space teams and clubs during the week, with the McMaster Planetary Society’s Space Industry Night being a highlight. Sobia is passionate about space outreach as well as art. She was a former youth poet for the Hamilton Youth Poets, as well as a former artist for McMaster Unspoken, a poetry initiative on campus. She is excited to co-host the Ascension Space Conference at McMaster University this year!

Tammy Hwang

Business Development Officer, City of Hamilton
CEO, CoMotion Group

Tammy Hwang is a passionate Hamiltonian and City Builder. By day, she works for the City of Hamilton in Economic Development’s Global Hamilton Office helping immigrant business owners access city resources and generally spreading the good word about Hamilton internationally. Tammy has helped launch programs like “Land in Hamilton”, a soft landing program for international firms to experience and learn about starting/expanding a business in Hamilton, Hamilton’s International Delegation Protocol, and supporting Hamilton’s Foreign Direct Investment Strategy to make Hamilton a top international destination for investment and economic development. Tammy also helped Hamilton achieve Top7 Intelligent Community status and is an active and engaged cheerleader for Hamilton’s technology, smart city initiatives, and our thriving startup ecosystem. In her evenings and weekends, she is the CEO of CoMotion Group, a small business that runs CoMotion on King; a coworking space for small businesses, freelancers, and solo entrepreneurs. She is passionate about building Hamilton as a globally recognized intelligent community.

Thomas Sears bio

Student
Queen’s University

Thomas Sears is passionate about the sustainable exploration of space and connecting people with all things science and technology. As a PhD candidate at Queen’s University, he is developing cooperative strategies for multi-vehicle missions on the Earth, the Moon, and beyond. He believes that the key to solar system exploration is collaborative robots that thrive where we cannot. Previously, Thomas worked in engineering roles at Sinclair Interplanetary and the University of Toronto’s Space Flight Laboratory, building new and experimental satellite systems. He obtained his undergraduate degree at Carleton University and his master’s at the University of Toronto. Beyond his research, Thomas seeks to establish a diverse and flourishing space industry in Canada.

Mac Dance

MAC Dance is an amalgamation of several established McMaster dance organizations representing a team of dancers of all levels, including recreational and competitive teams. All styles are encouraged and welcomed, for individuals interested in a just-for-fun recreational experience. The recreational team’s focus is on an annual dance show, which is completely organized and choreographed by club members consisting of McMaster students.

Adam Trumpour

Founder, Continuum Aerospace
Founder & President, Launch Canada

Adam Trumpour is a rocket and gas turbine propulsion professional with broad involvement in the industry. He is a turbine engine concept designer at Pratt & Whitney Canada, and a founding partner of Continuum Aerospace, a small company devoted to engineering consulting and developing innovative rocket propulsion systems. In his spare time, Adam is heavily involved in liquid-propellant rocketry activities, mentors student rocketry teams, and works tirelessly to advance the cause of entrepreneurial space and rocketry in Canada. He served as a technical advisor for the Base 11 Space Challenge rocket competition and is co-chair of its Safety Council. He is the founder and president of Launch Canada, an organization founded to support and advance grassroots experimental rocketry in Canada.

Adam earned his bachelor’s in Engineering Science (aerospace) at the University of Toronto, and his Master of Applied Science in aerospace engineering at Ryerson University.

Linda Dao

Project Officer, Operational Space Medicine
Canadian Space Agency

Linda Dao is a Project Officer in Operational Space Medicine at the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) contributing to vision development for Canada’s next space health initiatives. She received a B.Sc. in Honours Biochemistry from McMaster University and went on to the International Space University where she attended the Space Studies Program and received her Master’s degree. Linda was the co-founder of the two-time award-winning McMaster Observatory Outreach at Night (MOON) Club. Linda is additionally the Education Officer of SEDS-Canada, aiming to spark greater awareness for space exploration and highlight opportunities in the Canadian space sector. In 2013, Linda won the CSA nationwide science challenge where her designed experiment was performed in the International Space Station by Chris Hadfield. Currently, Linda serves on the organizing committee for the International Space Development Conference.

Victoria Flood bio

Student
Guelph University

I recently completed a MSc in Physics, at the University of Guelph, specializing in Planetary Science. My supervisor, Dr. Ralf Gellert, is the Principal Investigator for the APXS instrument on the Mars Science Laboratory Rover, Curiosity. My research used data from the APXS, as well as the ChemCam instrument to analyse and quantify sulfur and calcium in Gale Crater, Mars. In addition to my research, I am a Payload Uplink / Downlink Lead (PUDL) for the APXS, this encompasses operating the instrument by delivering sequences to the rover and assessing downlinked data. I completed both my BSc. and MSc. at the University of Guelph, while being a member of the Varsity Women’s Lacrosse Team. I will be starting a PhD next semester at the University of Toronto in the field of Atmospheric Physics.

Micheal Stramenga

Student
McMaster University

Michael is a 5th year Mechanical and Management Engineering student at McMaster University. Throughout his undergraduate degree, he has held several Space related positions, including but not limited to a position at NASA JPL and Caltech. He has also been involved with the Space community at McMaster, as a member of both McMaster NEUDOSE and MERGE. These Space clubs have provided Michael with unique learning opportunities and skills that he believes are relevant to the space sector.

Devan Wagner bio

Student
McMaster University

Devan Wagner is a Masters student, an aspiring engineer in the Canadian space industry, and the Engineering Manager for McMaster NEUDOSE, the University’s first satellite mission. During his time as undergraduate in Engineering Physics & Management at McMaster, Devan was one of the original members of the satellite project which has since grown to include over 100 students and become a mission under the Canadian Space Agency with an expected launch in 2022. Now, as a graduate student, he is completing his research in Engineering Physics while continuing to manage NEUDOSE through all design phases and mentoring the next generation of space engineers and scientists at McMaster University.

Andrew Simon-Butler

Andrew is a Canadian Barrister and Solicitor (Ontario), Australian Lawyer, and Australian Registered Migration Agent. His research focus is international space law, international migration law, human rights law and polar law. In particular, Andrew has published extensively on and advocates for freedom of movement in outer space as an individual human right. He speaks frequently at space and international law events in North America, Australia and Europe, including recently with UNOOSA, and is a member of both the International Institute of Space Law and the European Centre for Space Law.

Andrew is employed in a research capacity by the Melbourne Social Equity Institute at the University of Melbourne and also works for an immigration consultancy firm located in London (UK). He has additionally served as faculty on multiple International Space University programs in Cork (Ireland), Adelaide (Australia) and most recently in Strasbourg (France) as the Associate Chair of the “Applications and Potentials of Intelligent Swarms” (APIS) team project sponsored by NASA. Previously he has worked for both the Australian Departments of Immigration and Defence and in offices of the Australian and United States Senate respectively.

Andrew has completed a Master of Research from Macquarie University (Sydney) examining the Outer Space Treaty from an international migration law perspective, as well as the Strategic Space Law Program at McGill University. In addition to his Juris Doctor from the University of Melbourne, he holds two Master of Laws degrees, a Graduate Certificate in Migration Law and a Graduate Certificate in Space Studies. Andrew’s most recent publication, “Bifurcated Sovereignty and the Territorial Conception of ‘the Province of all Mankind’”, can be found in volume 43 (2019) of the Journal of Space Law.

Kaizad Raimalwala

Product and Business Development
Mission Control Space Services

Kaizad works at Mission Control Space Services, a space exploration and robotics company with a focus on mission operations, onboard autonomy, and artificial intelligence. He has Bachelors and Masters degrees in aerospace engineering from Purdue University and the University of Toronto. Kaizad joined Mission Control in 2016 as a robotics engineer, contributing to the development and analog field testing of advanced technologies in perception, path planning, and mission operations for planetary rovers, while also supporting other activities such as mission design, systems engineering, and STEM education through Mission Control Academy. He now works in product and business development to support the growth of Mission Control as a commercially focused space tech company that aims to offer novel software solutions for next-generation space missions.

His previous experience includes 6 years of service at SEDS national organizations, including Vice-Chair at SEDS-USA, followed by re-starting and leading SEDS-Canada as Chair and Chief of Staff, and co-founding SEDS programs such as CAN-RGX.

Christine Tovee

Founder/CEO
CATx Technology

Christine completed a BASc in Engineering Science-Aerospace from the University of Toronto and Masters in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT.

Christine has noteably worked with BAE, EADS Astrium Services, and was appointed Vice President for Research and Technology and Chief Technology Officer for the US arm of Airbus Group, Inc. At Airbus, Christine helped determine the technology needs of all business lines in the US and for delivered US-based research for the entire company.

Christine now focuses on organizational topics related to innovation and engineering. Through her company, CATx Technology, she also as a consultant to Toronto area technology start-ups on technology road mapping, strategy and organizational design. Christine is a member of Canada’s Space Advisory Board, which provides advice on Canada’s space strategy to the Minister for Industry, Science and Economic Development. She also sits on the Department of National Defence (DND) Independent Review Panel for Defence Acquisition and is a mentor for the Space stream at the University of Toronto’s Rotman Business School Creative Destruction Lab.

Sohrab Haghighat

Founder/CEO
SpaceRyde

Sohrab is the founder and CEO of SpaceRyde, a space launch startup in Toronto. He holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Toronto. Before SpaceRyde, Sohrab led Planning and Controls Engineering of Cruise Automation, a San Francisco based self-driving car company that was acquired by GM for over $1B. He was the recipient of the prestigious Etkin Medal for research excellence in Atmospheric Flight, has published numerous technical papers, and has been awarded 9 patents.

Tanya Harrison

Manager of Science Programs at Planet,
Founder Professional Martian LLC

Dr. Tanya Harrison calls herself a “professional martian.” She has spent the last decade working as a scientist and in mission operations on multiple NASA Mars missions, including the Curiosity and Opportunity rovers. Her specialty lies in geomorphology: the study of a planet’s evolution based on its surface features. Before Mars however, Tanya had her head in the stars as an astronomer studying the metal content of star clusters and recurring novae systems. She holds a Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Western Ontario, a Masters in Earth and Environmental Sciences from Wesleyan University, and a B.Sc. in Astronomy and Physics from the University of Washington. Currently she is the Manager of Science Programs at Planet Federal, the federal arm of Planet Labs. Tanya is also an advocate for advancing the status of women in science and for accessibility in the geosciences. You can find her prolifically tweeting about the Red Planet as @tanyaofmars.

Dr. Mehran Anvari

Professor of Surgery at McMaster University

Dr. Mehran Anvari is a tenured Professor of Surgery at McMaster University, the Chair of Minimally Invasive Surgery and Surgical Innovation at McMaster and an Adjunct Scientist for the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES). He is the past president and founding member of the Minimally Invasive Robotic Association (MIRA) and the founding director of the Centre for Minimal Access Surgery (CMAS). Dr. Anvari is the Scientific Director and CEO of the Centre for Surgical Invention and Innovation (CSii), which recently partnered with MDA to create Insight Medbotics Canada Corporation (IMCC) – a start up to commercialize a new generation of intelligent robotic systems.

He is one of the first surgeons in Canada to use robotics in surgery, establishing the world’s first telerobotic surgical service and has since performed multiple remote telerobotic surgeries. He is a recognized pioneer in the field of remote telesurgery and was the Primary Investigator on NEEMO 7 & 9 missions which were joint missions of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Centre (TATRC). These projects evaluated the use of telesurgery in remote and hostile environments. His research over these missions initiated the development of a medical robotic system capable of programming and automation which can be controlled remotely to perform specific medical acts. IGAR is a product of the collaborative research with a number of recognized US and international researchers.

Dr. Anvari is the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Medical Robotics and Computer Assisted Surgery. His work with telerobotics has also been recognized by the federal and provincial government with the “Gold Medal of Distinction” and the “Diamond Award for Innovation in Technology”. Most recently, Dr. Anvari was appointed to the Order of Ontario for his support in the development of medical robotics for early detection and treatment of cancers.

As a researcher, supervisor, mentor and advisor, Dr. Anvari has a continued commitment to teaching, education, publication and innovation. Dr. Anvari is the founding director of the McMaster Institute for Surgical Invention, Innovation and Education (MISSIE). He has authored numerous publications; holds several patents; and is the principle investigator of numerous studies related to obesity, gastrointestinal disease, surgical robotic systems and techniques.

Allyson Brady

Research Scientist, School of Geography and Earth Sciences
McMaster University

Allyson is currently a research scientist in the School of Geography and Earth Sciences at
McMaster University. She holds degrees in microbiology (B.Sc. Guelph), bioarchaeology (M.A.
Western) and earth science (PhD McMaster) and is actively involved in astrobiology research
and the development of mission concepts of operations for human exploration. Her main area of
interest is in understanding how life can thrive in extreme environments on Earth, how that
information translates into searching for evidence of life on other planets such as Mars and what
signs of life might be left behind once that life is no longer there. Understanding how to identify
and interpret these signs is key for the space science community to effectively plan future space
missions including those that will target sample collection.

Allyson has over 10 years of experience working in analogue environments – settings on Earth
that simulate conditions on other planets – to try and tackle these questions. She has participated
in several NASA and Canadian Space Agency supported research programs focused on not only
detecting signs of life but understanding how to effectively integrate scientific research activities
into crewed space missions. Her work has taken her to field sites in the Antarctic, hotsprings in
Western Canada, volcanoes in Hawaii, and piloting single-person submersibles underwater in
B.C. She hopes that the insights gained through studying these environments will be used to help
guide human scientists and explorers on Mars or other planets.

Julia Gibson

Space and Ground Systems Developer
Sinclair Interplanetary

Julia Gibson is an American applied mathematician, poet, musician, and visual artist currently working for Sinclair Interplanetary, a small Toronto-based space company. After studies in violin performance at Manhattan School of Music, she finished her undergraduate degree in cognitive science at Brown University and a master’s in mathematics at McMaster University. Her first book of poetry was released in 2019. Her interests in the space industry include robotics, navigation, propulsion, and the politics of space exploration and commercial services.

Arielle Anabe

Student
McMaster University

Arielle Ainabe is a first year engineering student at McMaster University and 2019 Schulich Leader. Her research has been presented at the International Science and Engineering Fair three years in a row where she won the second place special award from NASA in 2018. In addition to her endeavors in science fair she co-founded her highschool’s STEM club and first ever science council. Both of which were highlighted in the TEDx talk she gave last year. Arielle was also an air cadet where she was a Warrant Officer Second Class and received her glider and power pilot’s license.

Shira Jackson

Student
University of Toronto

Shira Jackson is a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto studying experimental quantum optics. She’s currently working on the construction of two-photon optical clocks for field- and space-based fundamental physics investigations. In August 2019, Shira participated in the CSA’s Strato-Science campaign to launch a compact optical atomic clock on a stratospheric balloon. When not in the lab playing with lasers, she’s busy with her two little children.

Charlie Nitschelm

Chair, Board of Directors
SEDS USA

Charlie Nitschelm, a student at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) studying mechanical engineering and physics, actively leads SEDS-USA as Chair of the Board of Directors. Before being elected on the national level, Charlie founded and remains the President of UNH SEDS, a team of 30 students working to develop New Hampshire’s first hybrid rocket for the Spaceport America Cup competition during the Summer of 2020. Under Charlie’s lead, the local SEDS chapter has grown to become the largest and most interdisciplinary engineering organization at UNH in three short years. Outside of university, Charlie was awarded a Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship where he interned at Rocket Lab as a manufacturing engineer. After graduation in May 2020, Charlie will move to Hawthorne, California to start his full-time job as a build engineer on Starship, SpaceX’s next vehicle destined to bring humans to Mars. Charlie hopes to bring a unique perspective to the space policy panel at Ascension 2020 representing the US student perspective.

Aram Daniel Kerkonian

Chief Legal Consultant
Ardaker Space Consultants

Aram Daniel Kerkonian is the founder and Chief Legal Consultant of Ardaker Space Consultants, a firm dedicated to providing space law and policy advice to governmental and non-governmental entities. Aram is also the Erin J.C. Arsenault Doctoral Fellow in space law at McGill University’s Institute of Air and Space Law, where he researches the structure and gaps of Canada’s existing space regulatory framework. In addition to being a licensed attorney with the Law Society of Ontario (having completing his articles as a judicial law clerk with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice), Aram holds a Master of Laws degree from McGill University, a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Windsor and an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from Queen’s University. Aram is frequently invited to present and speak on issues of space law and policy at Canadian and international events and has been interviewed by several news outlets related to these topics. In addition to publishing a book of edited works, various book chapters and multiple articles in leading international space law journals, Aram has drafted two reports for the Canadian government, one of which was presented in Parliament. Aram is a member of the US Federal Aviation Administration’s Center of Excellence for Commercial Space Transportation as well as the coach of McGill University’s two previous space law moot teams (the reigning champions of North America).

Aram was recently selected to the highly-competitive Canadian Recruitment of Policy Leaders program and will begin working as a Senior Policy Advisor to the federal government in 2020. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Aram now lives in Montréal.

Michael Pley

President
Pley Consulting Inc.

Michael Pley retired as CEO of COM DEV International in 2016 after a 30-year career, and is currently supporting technology SMEs and space companies through his management consulting company. COM DEV was one of the leading suppliers to satellite manufacturers and space agencies around the world, having supplied equipment to over 80% of all communication satellites ever launched and many international science and exploration missions.

Michael graduated Summa Cum Laude from McMaster University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and Management in 1983. He is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and received his honorary Doctor of Science Degree from McMaster in 2017.

In 2006, he was the inaugural recipient of McMaster’s Les W. Shemilt Distinguished Engineering Alumni award. In addition to being a member of the Advisory Board to the Dean of Engineering at McMaster since 2002 and its Chair since 2016, he is involved in a number of charitable and volunteer organizations. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada and chairs its Space Committee. He is currently an Associate/Mentor for the Space Stream at Creative Destruction Lab, a Toronto-based incubator for early stage companies.

Bhairavi Shankar

Founder/CEO
Indus Space

Bhairavi is a Planetary Scientist and founder/CEO of Indus Space. Through her company, she actively focuses on public education in space science working with school-aged students. She also helps to connect the public with space-themed resources, assisting with curriculum development. She loves to promote about space science and the role of women in science as often as possible.

Dr. Marianne Mader

Executive Director
Canadian Association of Science Centres
Co-founder, steamlabs

Dr. Marianne Mader is the Executive Director for the Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC), one of the largest membership-based associations of informal science learning organizations in Canada, collectively reaching more than 8 million citizens per year. Dr. Mader is also the co-founder of steamlabs, a non-for profit education-innovation organization. A Planetary Scientist with over 13 years of research and field experience, Marianne has studied some of the oldest rocks on Earth in Greenland, collected meteorites in Antarctica, and has helped plan and execute simulated lunar and planetary exploration missions. Dr. Mader is committed to building a thriving science and innovation culture in Canada.

Kate Howells

Community Strategist
The Planetary Society

Kate Howells is a science communicator, space policy advisor, and non-profit management consultant based in Guelph, ON. Kate’s day job is with The Planetary Society, a U.S.-based non-profit that works with the public to advance space science and exploration, where she leads community engagement and provides guidance on Canadian space policy. Kate is also the author of Space Is Cool As F*** and writes for magazines and websites about space, nature, brains, and whatever else fascinates her

Jean-Francois Gauthier

Director, Business Development
GHGSat

Jean-Francois Gauthier is a mechanical engineer and lifelong space geek with over 15 years of experience in the commercial space industry in various capacities at COM DEV including design and test, project management and sales and marketing. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering from Dalhousie University and an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University. He is also a graduate of the International Space University’s Summer Session Program (2006). In October 2016, he joined GHGSat to help commercialize the products and services from their breakthrough satellite around the world. He now leads the growing Sales and Marketing team for the company.

Eric Choi

Senior Business Development Manager
Magellan Aerospace

Eric Choi is the senior business development manager for the space business unit of Magellan Aerospace. Over the course of his career, he has held positions of increasing technical and managerial responsibility in both the aviation and space sectors, the latter including work on QEYSSat, the Meteorology payload on the NASA Phoenix Mars Lander, the Canadarm2 on the International Space Station, the RADARSAT-1 Earth-observation satellite, and the MOPITT (Measurements of Pollution on the Troposphere) instrument. He holds a B.A.Sc in engineering science and an M.A.Sc in aerospace engineering, both from the University of Toronto, and an MBA from York University.

Dr. Parshati Patel

Educational Outreach and Communications Specialist
Institute for Earth and Space Exploration

Dr. Parshati Patel is an astrophysicist, science communicator and educator based in London, Ontario. She is an Educational Outreach and Communications Specialist at the Institute for Earth and Space Exploration and an Adjunct Research Professor in the Faculty of Education at Western University. She is currently pursuing a professional certification in Public Relations and Communications from Western University. She has been communicating her passion for space science and technology with students and public for the past 8 years in various capacities through outreach initiatives and programs at Western University. Dr. Patel conducts research in the Faculty of Education understand and gauge the engagement of the participants as well as their outlook on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers and interest in STEM fields. She has co-founded Women of Color in STEAMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics and Medicine) in Canada in 2018. Since June 2019, Dr. Patel is part of the Principal Scientific Adviser’s Consultive Group to Government of India.

Artash Nath

Student

I have been working on Space, Robotic and Machine Learning for the last 5 years. I am interested in deep space exploration and have been applying machine learning to space challenges, including: predicting risk index of asteroids colliding with Earth, detecting atmospheres of exoplanets, and object mapping by autonomous rovers using stereotypic vision.

I have presented my machine learning projects at several conferences including the 2020 Innovation Nation Conference, the 2019 Planetary Defense Conference in Washington DC where it won the Honorable Mention Award, the 2019 Montreal Space Symposium, and the 2018 Toronto Machine Learning Summit. I participate in Kaggle and citizen science challenges on astronomy and machine learning. I was one of the winners of the Ariel Machine Learning Data Challenge and presented my project at the ARIEL: Science, Mission and Community 2020 Conference in the Netherlands. I am the winner of the NASA SpaceApps Challenge Toronto 2018, 2017, 2014 as well as the 2018 Imagining the Skies, and the 2017 Jesse Ketchum Award of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

In 2014, I co-founded the HotPopRobot.com Initiative to carry out youth to youth science communication and outreach on space and carry out several free workshops and events each year.

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