Top 16 Candidate Biographies

National Astronaut Recruitment Campaign

Each of the Top 16 candidates in the National Astronaut Recruitment Campaign demonstrates a well-rounded mix of academic, athletic and professional achievement, as well as a passion for the Canadian Space Program. The candidates represent a diverse array of backgrounds and qualifications, from military training to zoology.

Matthew Bamsey

Born: Burlington, ON
Raised: Guelph, ON
Current residence: Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, QC

Education:

BEng, Aerospace Engineering, Carleton University (2004)
MSc, Aerospace Engineering Bioastronautics Stream, University of Colorado (2005)
PhD, Environmental Biology, University of Guelph

Matthew is currently working as a Research Affiliate in the Canadian Space Agency's Space Science - Planetary Exploration division. He is also pursuing his PhD in environmental biology, with a focus on Biological Life Support Systems. Matthew has a long history of commitment to the Canadian Space Program and has conducted numerous space advocacy initiatives.

Desmond Brophy

Born and raised: Regina, SK
Current residence: Edwards, California

Education:

BEng, Chemical Engineering, McGill University (1992)
MSc, Mechanical Engineering, University of Calgary (1996)
Master's candidate in Aerospace Engineering, University of Colorado (ongoing*)

Desmond currently works as an exchange test pilot with the United States Air Force. He has several years of experience as a pilot and flight instructor, including positions as a Canadian Forces experimental test pilot and CF-18 Hornet fighter pilot. His numerous missions have included work in support of Canada's commitment to NATO.

Christopher Denny

Born and raised: Toronto, ON
Current residence: Toronto, ON

Education:

BA, Queen's University (1994)
MD, McMaster University (1998)
MSc, Clinical Epidemiology, University of Toronto (2004)

Christopher currently works as a Staff Physician and Trauma Team Leader in Emergency Medicine at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. He is also a Base Hospital Physician for Toronto Emergency Medical Services, a Transport Physician for Ornge Transport Medicine and a Team Physician for Toronto's Heavy Urban Search and Rescue Team. He also works as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto.

Peter Giles

Born: London, ON
Raised: Lake Echo, NS
Current residence: Halifax, NS

Education:

BSc, Physics, Dalhousie University (1989)
MSc, Applied Physics, Stanford University (1994)
PhD, Applied Physics, Stanford University (2000)

Peter has ten years of experience as a Systems Engineer and is currently employed at General Dynamics Canada in Halifax. He has also served as a member of Canada's national canoe-kayak team and represented the country at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. He was recently the Assistant Chef de Mission for Team Canada at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Jeremy Hansen

Born: London, ON
Raised: Ingersoll, ON
Current residence: Cold Lake, AB

Education:

BSc, Space Science, Royal Military College (1999)
MSc, Physics, Royal Military College (2000)

Jeremy currently works as a CF-18 fighter pilot, and has lived and served across the country. He currently holds the position of Combat Operations Officer at 4 Wing Cold Lake, and his responsibilities include ensuring the effectiveness of NORAD Air Defence Operations. He holds numerous awards for his proficiency as a pilot.

Allyson Hindle

Born and raised: Winnipeg, MB
Current residence: Vancouver, BC

Education:

BSc, Zoology, University of Manitoba (2000)
MSc, Zoology, University of Manitoba (2002)
PhD, Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University (2007)

Allyson currently works as a postdoctoral fellow at the Marine Mammal Research Unit at the University of British Columbia. Her research focuses on the physiology of wild species that have adapted to extreme environments. Her work has taken her to such remote locations as Antarctica.

Ryan Hunter

Born: Mississauga, ON
Raised: Mississauga, ON and Buenos Aires, Argentina
Current residence: Boston, Massachusetts

Education:

BSc, Microbiology, University of Guelph (2001)
PhD, Microbiology, University of Guelph (2007)

Ryan is currently the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he is also part of a NASA-funded study on microbiology. His research focuses on the origins of life on Earth and the interaction between living organisms and their environment. Ryan is also active in hockey and youth and community sports.

Jameel Janjua

Born and raised: Calgary, AB
Current residence: Alouette (Bagotville), QC

Education:

BEng, Chemicals & Materials Engineering, Royal Military College (2001)
MSc, Aeronautics and Astronautics, MIT (2002)

Jameel is currently a CF-18 Hornet fighter pilot with the Canadian Forces 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron. While a student, Jameel was active in the International Space University (ISU), including development and study programs abroad.

Joshua Kutryk

Born: Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Raised: near Beauvallon, AB
Current residence: Alouette (Bagotville), QC

Education:

BEng, Mechanical Engineering, Royal Military College (2004)
MSc, Aeronautics (specialization in Space Studies), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ongoing*)

Joshua is currently a Tactical Fighter Pilot with the 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron, serving as a combat-ready pilot on the CF-18 Hornet fighter jet. He has also been an air show participant and volunteer instructor with the Air Cadet league. He has also pursued professional development programs in leadership, ethics and management.

Mark McCullins

Born: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Raised: Winnipeg, MB
Current residence: Brighton, ON

Education:

BEng, Chemical & Materials, Royal Military College (1995)
MBA, Project Management, Athabasca University (2007)

Mark is currently working for the Canadian Air Force at 8 Wing Trenton. He is a professional engineer and has trained as an Experimental Test Pilot. Until recently, he was a Tactical Unit Crew Commander in Southeast Asia to conduct airlift in support of Canadian Forces and NATO operations. He also studied Project Management at the post-graduate level to complement his flight skills.

Stuart Rogerson

Born: Crewe, UK
Raised: Powell River, BC
Current residence: Cold Lake, AB

Education:

BSc, Earth Observational Sciences and Computer Science (combined major), Royal Roads Military College (1995)
MASc, Aerospace Engineering, University of Toronto (1997)

Stuart is a CF-18 Test Pilot, and currently works as an Instructor Pilot at 410 Tactical Fighter (Operational Training) Squadron in Cold Lake, Alberta. His aviation career began at the age of 16 when he received his Private Pilot's licence through a scholarship program of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. He has also studied at the United States Naval Test Pilot School.

David Saint-Jacques

Born: Québec, QC
Raised: Saint-Lambert, QC
Current residence: Montreal, QC and Puvirnituq, QC

Education:

BEng, Engineering Physics, École polytechnique de Montréal (1993)
PhD, Astrophysics, Cambridge University, UK (1998)
MD, Université Laval (2005)

David is currently a medical doctor practicing at Inuulitsivik Health Centre in Puvirnituq, Northern Quebec. He also works as a Clinical Faculty Lecturer at McGill University's Faculty of Medicine.

Geoffrey Steeves

Born: Halifax, NS
Raised: Edmonton, AB
Current residence: Victoria, BC

Education:

BSc, Physics, University of Alberta (1995)
PhD, Condensed Matter Physics, University of Alberta (2001)

Geoffrey is currently employed as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Victoria. His research has focused on condensed matter physics. While a professor, he also earned his Commercial Pilot's Licence.

Kenneth Welch

Born: Calgary, AB
Raised: Cardston, AB
Current residence: Sigtuna, Sweden

Education:

BASc, Engineering Physics, University of British Columbia (1991)
PhD, Nanotechnology, Uppsala University, Sweden (2006)

Kenneth is currently a Senior Researcher in the Department of Nanotechnology and Functional Materials at Uppsala University in Sweden. He also flies for Top Aces in support of the Canadian Forces. His extensive flight experience also includes 11 years as a military pilot, including 1000 hours on the CF-18 Hornet, as well as combat missions in Kosovo.

Keith Wilson

Born and raised: Winnipeg, MB
Current residence: Winnipeg, MB

Education:

BA, Commerce, Royal Military College (1992)
BSc, General, University of Waterloo (2007)
MD, University of Manitoba (ongoing*)

Keith is currently a medical student at the University of Manitoba. His career with the Canadian Forces included 14 years as a military Search and Rescue helicopter pilot and test pilot. While with the military, he also worked at the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment, where he most recently was responsible for the coordination, conduct and efficiency of AETE air operations.

Bruce Woodley

Born and raised: Richmond, BC
Current residence: Palo Alto, California

Education:

BASc, Engineering Physics, Simon Fraser University (1993)
MSc, Electrical Engineering, Stanford University (1996)
PhD, Electrical Engineering, Stanford University (2001)

Bruce is an engineer who currently works as a private consultant. His recent projects have included developing a pattern recognition system for imaging of the human eye. He also holds a Commercial Pilot licence.

*Information valid as of March 16, 2009