Dr. Roberta Bondar

Canadian Astronaut, Chancellor Trent University

Wednesday, May 21, 7 - 10 p.m.
PSB Wilson Athletic Complex

As the world's first neurologist in space, Dr. Roberta Bondar is globally recognized for her pioneering contribution in space medicine research. Aboard the Discovery mission STS-42 in 1992, she conducted experiments in the shuttle's first international microgravity laboratory.

For more than a decade at NASA Dr. Bondar headed an international research team, continuing to find new connections between astronauts recovering from the microgravity of space and neurological illnesses here on Earth such as stroke and Parkinson's disease. Her techniques have been used in clinical studies at the B. I. Deaconess Medical Center, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School and at the University of New Mexico.

A true renaissance woman, Dr. Bondar is an acclaimed photographer of the natural wonders of our planet. She is the author of four best-selling photo essay books featuring her stunning photography of the Earth. Roberta's photographs of the deserts in the American Southwest and the Canadian Arctic became a well received exhibition entitled The Deserts of North America.

UNESCO has announced 2008 through 2010 as the International Years of the Planet and Dr. Roberta Bondar has been named the Honorary Patron for Canada.

As a space scientist and neurologist Dr. Roberta Bondar is a much sought-after speaker who makes exciting connections between how our brains adapt in space and how we can adapt to constantly-changing business environments here on Earth. With innovative ideas about how to navigate in uncharted territory, she offers her abilities as a leader and visionary to corporations and organizations throughout North America. Dr. Bondar demonstrates the adaptive thinking necessary for changing perspectives in our contemporary world.

In 2007 the Ontario Government appointed Dr. Bondar to chair the Working Committee on Environmental Education, to strengthen environmental education in the curriculum of elementary and secondary schools. The Committee presented the report and all 32 of their recommendations are being implemented in 2008.

Dr. Bondar has been recognized with the NASA Space Medal, inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame and into the International Women's Forum Hall of Fame for her pioneering research in space medicine. In addition, she has received 24 honorary doctorates from Canadian and American universities. In 2003 TIME magazine named her among North America's best explorers.

Roberta Bondar's photographic essay books include: Touching the Earth about her astronaut experiences, Passionate Vision ~ Discovering Canada's National Parks and Canada ~ Landscapes of Dreams. Recently published is a catalogue of her desert photography entitled, The Arid Edge of Earth. Currently, Dr. Bondar is in her second term as Chancellor of Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario and she continues photographing the extremes of our planet.