A neurosurgeon by profession and Also works as a general physician in Canada’s Alberta University Hospital, Dr. Shawna Pandya will soon be the third woman of Indian origin on the path of Kalpana Chawla and Sunita Williams, to fly to space.

The 32 year old Shawna was born in Canada and is one of the two candidates to get selected among 3,200 people by topping the CSA(Citizen Science Astronaut) program. Dr Pandya is slated to take off by 2018 with other eight astronauts.

# Passion For Dreams

“If you prioritise your passions and commitments, it’s wonderful how much you can achieve,” she told in an interview. This clearly defines the that how much she is passionate towards her dreams. To become an astronaut, has been her passionate dream since she was a teen. She is also a lover of medicines and an Opera singer. Pandya is a multitalented personality, who is an international taekwan-do champion, author and even trained herself in Muay Thai with a Navy SEAL.

# The Cause Of Her Tour To Space

When asked about her role on this Space mission, Pandya clearly defined that she would be performing experiments in bio-medicine and medical science and is part of a project called PoSSUM (Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere) to study climate change. She’ll also be working on PHEnOM(Physiological, Health, and Environmental Observations in Microgravity) and is also a prime crew member of Project Poseidon. It is a 100 day underwater mission at the Aqurious Space Research Facility in Florida.

# An Inspiration for Others

Dr Shawna Pandya has now become a role model for others.  During her motivational talks session with the resident doctors and students in Mumbai, She praised the students of Lilavatibhai Podar High School’s students by saying, “On Tuesday, I met students from Lilavatibai Podar High School. The questions they asked me were brilliant, right from zero-gravity experiences to outer space.”

Dr Pandya also motivated the students by admiring their tremendous potential and made them realize their Zeal to achieve something big. “When I talk to students, medical undergraduates, I realize they have the zeal to venture out, but aren’t always aware of the ways in which they can. All we need is to get acquainted with everyday developments in science, be resilient and always try to achieve something bigger.” She said.

 

Tags: Dr Shawna PandyaIndian In spaceNASASpace Missionthird Indian women in SpaceWomen in space