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| Aerospace Medicine Elective |
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Through an agreement with the NASA-JSC Aerospace Medicine Clerkship Program and the NASA-KSC Aerospace Medicine and Occupational Health Branch, the Canadian Space Agency's (CSA) Operational Space Medicine (OSM) Group funds four Canadian medical students or residents to attend a four week Aerospace Medicine Elective each year.
Purpose
As part of its dedication to promote public awareness of Aerospace Medicine, and to encourage Canadians to pursue interests in this area, the CSA seeks to provide training opportunities for Canadian medical students and residents in Aerospace Medicine. Currently, two Aerospace Medicine training opportunities are available at NASA, one at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) and one at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC).
The JSC Aerospace Medicine Clerkship Program is designed to provide students with exposure to the clinical, operational and research aspects of Space Medicine. The KSC Medical Education Program rotation emphasizes Aerospace Medicine and Occupational Medicine. In an effort to extend this program to the International Space Station (ISS) Partners, both the JSC Aerospace Medicine Clerkship Program and KSC Medical Education Program have agreed to provide the CSA with the space for two Canadian medical students or residents each year.
Description
JSC Aerospace Medicine Clerkship Program
The Aerospace Medicine Clerkship at JSC involves formal lectures on space medicine topics, exposure to manned testing operations, and familiarization with the medical aspects of space shuttle operations and space station design and function. The clerkship also involves a research project on current issues in space medicine. A written research report and presentation are required.
KSC Medical Elective
The KSC Medical Elective consists of didactic lectures in various aerospace medicine topics, ranging from the hazards of ground operations to the physiological changes that take place during spaceflight. The curriculum is organized to retain the flexibility needed to adjust to KSC's dynamic schedule of activities, allowing participants to see the first hand application of many aerospace principles not available elsewhere. Students are expected to present abstracts from aerospace medical literature during weekly "journal clubs". The rotation also involves a research project in a current focus area of space medicine.
Dates and Location
One candidate will be selected for each of the following elective sessions:
The exact dates of the sessions will be confirmed with the successful candidates.
Funding
The CSA will fund travel and living expenses up to a total value of $6,000 (Canadian dollars) per student.
Eligibility Requirements
Candidates must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada at the time of application, in the final year of medical school or in a residency program at the time of the elective and have an interest in Aerospace Medicine. Selected candidates will be required to provide proof of citizenship or permanent residency.
Please note that both programs are conducted entirely in English. Selected candidates whose first language is not English may be required to provide evidence of English proficiency.
Interested candidates must mail in a completed application form and supporting documents by no later than May 1, 2006.
Application to the Aerospace Medicine Elective does not preclude an individual from applying directly to the JSC Aerospace Medicine Clerkship Program or the KSC Medical Education Program. Please note, however, that only individuals chosen through the CSA selection process will be eligible to receive funding from the CSA.
Selection
A CSA committee of Operational Space Medicine staff will select one medical student or resident for funding for each elective session. Selection is based upon academic, research and work experience, community service, activities, interests and career goals related to aerospace medicine, and an evaluation of the candidate through a letter of evaluation.
Deliverables
Following completion of the program, the successful candidates will be required to provide the CSA with a report on the students' research topics. The subject of the research topic will be negotiated with the OSM group and will relate to current OSM interests.
Contact
Operational Space Medicine - Post-graduate Training
Canadian Astronaut Office
John H. Chapman Space Centre
6767 route de l'Aéroport
Saint-Hubert, Quebec J3Y 8Y9
E-mail: medicine@space.gc.ca
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