Robert Thirsk

B.Sc. (Mechanical Engineering) – University of Calgary S.M. (Mechanical Engineering) – Massachusetts Institute of Technology M.D.C.M (Medicine) – McGill University M.B.A. - Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management

Dr. Robert Thirsk received degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Calgary and from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He also holds a Doctorate of Medicine from McGill University and a Master of Business Administration from the MIT Sloan School of Management. Bob has flown on two space missions as a member of the Canadian Space Agency’s astronaut corps. He first flew aboard Space Shuttle Columbia in 1996 with six international crewmates as part of the Life and Microgravity Spacelab Mission. This 17-day mission was devoted to the study of life and materials sciences. In 2009 Bob launched aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS). As members of the ISS Expedition 20/21 crew, Bob and his five crewmates performed multidisciplinary research which will bring terrestrial benefit and enable future space exploration. During the 188-day expedition, the Expedition 20/21 crew also performed robotic operations and maintenance of Station systems and payloads. Bob is a strong promoter of an economy based upon exploration and innovation. He encourages students to build their career dreams upon a solid educational foundation and advanced skills.

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