REACHING FOR THE STARS
Mississauga native to study space medicine. Full story on
For most people, becoming a doctor would be enough of an accomplishment. But Linda Dao wants to become a doctor among the stars.
This summer, the Mississauga native will be chasing her dream of studying space medicine through a course at the International Space University (ISU).
It’s an uncommon flight path, launched one night while she was out stargazing.
“I was looking up at the stars and I found that very inspirational,” she said, explaining that she was struck by all the discoveries made by people studying deep space.
“That got me thinking: How can I get involved? How can I put together my interest in science and my fascination with space into something I could make a career out of?”
Searching online, Dao discovered space medicine, the field of research studying the health effects space travel has on astronauts. It seemed a natural fit and she felt herself gravitating towards it — and toward ISU, an institute based in France that specializes in topics related to the peaceful development of space.
Each year, the school offers a space sciences course at various locations around the planet; this summer, it’s in Haifa, Israel.
Only the best and brightest from around the world are accepted to the prestigious program. Of just 99 students admitted last year, aged 21 to 50, many were already well-established in their fields.
So the 21-year-old biochemistry student was told not to get her hopes up. She applied just for fun, but a few weeks later was told she’d made the cut. “It was just incredible,” said Dao. Geoffrey Steeves, a former student of the ISU and runner-up in Canada’s space program, works as a professor at the school during the summer. He said Dao is in for an amazing experience.
“She’s going to get a crash course in space and get to know current and future leaders in the space sector,” he said, noting that the institute’s current chancellor is Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon.
During the two-month program, students take on a range of topics from space law and humanities to business and engineering.
“The programs are very different than if you went to U of T or something,” said Steeves. “They try to give you an incredibly broad education in all aspects of working in space . . . I think it’ll be a great experience for Linda.”
Felicia Vulcu taught the soon-to-be space scholar during her second year at McMaster University.
Dao made an impression, even in a class of more than 100 students.
“Right from the start, Linda stood out for me,” Vulcu said. “She is extremely pleasant to interact with; she is hard-working, inquisitive and creative.”
Dao credits her professor with inspiring and encouraging her to pursue her dream, but Vulcu said Dao earned her way into the program.
“Linda accomplished her dream, plain and simple. I’m very excited to see where her passion and her dream take her.”
While her professor might be excited about her student going places, Dao said her mother needs a little more convincing.
“At first my mom was very excited, until she realized it meant I would be going away for a year,” she said. “She is a little bit concerned that it’s so far away.”
Another concern is the high cost. The summer space school costs 18,000 ($27,000). Luckily Dao won a scholarship from the European Space Agency, but she’ll need to raise a lot more to fulfil her goal of pursuing a master’s degree at ISU.
Part-time work and online fundraising have helped, but she still has about $24,000 to go.
Presuming she’s able to continue space studies, Dao’s goal is to return to Canada and pass on what she’s learned.
“I want to promote the field of space medicine and gather funding and interest so Canada can play a larger role in the space industry.”