1998 INDUCTEE Roberta Bondar, MD PhD Brain & Mind, Women in Medicine

Born:

December 4, 1945

(Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario)

Education:

PhD, University of Toronto (1974)

MD, McMaster University (1977)

Awards & Honours:

2018: Companion of the Order of Canada

2011: Inductee of Canada’s Walk of Fame

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Canada’s first woman astronaut and the first neurologist in space

A trailblazer, brilliant neuroscientist, and environmental activist

Dr. Roberta Bondar has experienced life's strength, beauty and fragility from heights few people, let alone a handful of women anywhere, have ever scaled. Dr. Roberta Bondar is Canada's first woman astronaut and the world's first neurologist in space (NASA MISSION STS-42, January 1992). Even before her selection to the Canadian Space Program in December 1983, Dr. Bondar was a highly accomplished physician and researcher studying the nervous system.

Dr. Bondar was specifically interested in how eyes and ears help us balance and orient ourselves with respect to our surroundings. Additionally, her research into the effects of low gravity and weightlessness on the brain's blood supply was particularly fitting for NASA's quest to study how spaceflight affects astronauts.

Key Facts

Explored how humans react to weightlessness

Conducted more than forty pioneering experiments in the world's first International Microgravity Laboratory (IML-1)

Had several exhibitions and book publications of her photographs including Passionate Vision about Canada's national parks

Received 28 honorary doctorates

Professional timeline

Impact on lives today

Dr. Bondar’s research into space medicine is helping future astronauts and researchers of space medicine uncover the myriad effects of weightlessness and prolonged periods of spaceflight on the human body. Through the combined efforts of Dr. Bondar's research and others, we know, for example, that bone loss may continue for some time after landing and may not be recoverable, or that changes in the body's immune system may compromise the human body's ability to fight infections. Her research (in 2014) shows that returning astronauts have impaired and irregular blood flow in the brain and this can potentially lead to long-term damages.

2023

2021
Dr. Bondar’s research remains relevant to future space programs.
Brain & Mind
With the rise of private space companies, space-tourism and planned missions to Mars, the health and safety of our astronauts, and potentially our citizens - is paramount.
2009
In July of 2009 Bondar established a not-for-profit charity, The Roberta Bondar Foundation.

The Foundation ‘helps cultivate in all ages a sense of awe, respect and appreciation for other life forms that share our planet'.
2007
A committed environmentalist, Bondar chaired the province of Ontario’s Working Group on Environmental Education.

The Minister of Education accepted and implemented all 32 of the working group‘s recommendations.
October 28, 1998
Roberta Bondar inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

Hull, Quebec
1994
An avid photographer, Bondar was also tasked with taking pictures of earth during her time in space.

Her experiences in space along with her photographs were published in the book Touching the Earth in 1994.
1992
On the space craft DISCOVERY, Dr. Bondar circled our planet at thirty thousand kilometres per hour, situated three hundred kilometres above Earth
Brain & Mind, Women in Medicine
Her research on board focused on how humans react to weightlessness, such as the effects of low gravity on eye motion and ear function, changes in our balance system, the elongation of the spine and its associated back pain during low gravity, and the after-effects of spaceflight on astronauts.
1983
Roberta Bondar was chosen from more than 4,000 applicants for Canada’s astronaut program
Women in Medicine
As one of six members of the team, she trained for the mission for eight years.
1982
Following five years of post-graduate work, Dr. Bondar returned to her alma mater.

She became an assistant professor of medicine at McMaster from 1982 to 1984.
1968
After graduating from the University of Guelph with an undergraduate degree in science, Dr. Bondar pursued a steady stream of education and research.

She completed a master’s degree in experimental pathology and a PhD in neuroscience before going on to earn her MD in 1977.