Search

Dr Jenni Sidey down to final 32 in astronaut selection process

14:23, Monday 20 March 2017

St Catharine’s Fellow Dr Jenni Sidey is down to the final 32 candidates for two astronaut positions with the Canadian Space Agency, which received a total of 3772 applications.
 
As a lecturer in Internal Combustion Engines in the Energy, Fluids and Turbomachinery Division of the University’s Engineering Department, Dr Sidey’s interest in space was inspired by Canada’s first female astronaut, Roberta Bondar. Her mother – also a scientist – encouraged her interest in science from a young age. Dr Sidey is following in her footsteps by encouraging young girls to take an interest in STEM subjects through her involvement with Robogals, an organisation set up to introduce girls to science and engineering through robotics and coding workshops.
 
Dr Sidey writes: “A third of potential astronauts on the Canadian Space Agency’s shortlist are women. This is really encouraging and speaks volumes about the progress women are making in the fields of science and engineering, and shows how much can be achieved though dedication to a goal.”
 
We’re excited to see how far Dr Sidey gets in the selection process to be one of the final two selected astronauts.