Dr. Nicole Buckley

Topic

Scientists have found that many changes that occur to humans in space resemble accelerated aging. Returning to Earth, astronauts experience accelerated rehabilitation. I will be talking about how being in space can help us look at aging in a new way.

Bio

Dr. Buckley joined the Canadian Space Agency in January 2002 as Program Scientist for Space Life Sciences. In July 2004, she was appointed Director of Life and Physical Sciences. In 2009, Dr. Buckley was named Chief Scientist, International Space Station and Life Sciences. In this capacity, she is responsible for programming activities for the Canadian allocation of International Space Station (ISS) science and for developing and leading a robust life sciences program. Communicating the benefits of science in general and the benefits of space science for all Canadians is one of Dr. Buckley’s favourite responsibilities. She has participated in over a dozen space missions on space platforms including a recoverable satellite and the International Space Station, and is working with her team to plan a full complement of activities for the future.

Dr. Buckley received her Bachelor of Science (Honours) and Master of Science in Microbiology from the University of Saskatchewan. She was awarded her doctorate in Oral Biology from the University of Manitoba. She then pursued postdoctoral studies in molecular biology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and the Université Laval in Quebec City. Dr. Buckley’s past research interests include the development of probiotics for use on Earth and in space.

This talk is also featured on TED’s TEDxInnovations blog.