DR. ROBERTA BONDAR

Physician, Scientist, Astronaut & Photographer

As the world’s first neurologist in space, Dr. Roberta Bondar is globally recognized for her pioneering contribution to space medicine research. Aboard the Discovery mission STS-42 in 1992, she conducted experiments in the shuttle’s first international microgravity laboratory.

For more than a decade at NASA, Dr. Bondar headed an international research team, continuing to find new connections between astronauts recovering from the microgravity of space and neurological illnesses here on Earth such as stroke and Parkinson’s disease. Her techniques have been used in clinical studies at the B. I. Deaconess Medical Center, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School and at the University of New Mexico.

A true renaissance woman, Dr. Bondar is an acclaimed photographer of the natural wonders of our planet. She is the author of four best-selling photo essay books featuring her stunning photography of the Earth, including: Passionate Vision ~ Discovering Canada’s National Parks, Canada ~ Landscape of Dreams, The Arid Edge of Earth and Touching the Earth. Her photographic works may be found in private, corporate and institutional collections in Canada, the U.S. and England.

As an author, environmental educator and celebrated landscape photographer, Dr. Bondar has also earned a reputation as a leading speaker and consultant within the medical and scientific communities, and in the field of corporate social responsibility and care for the Earth's environment. In 2007, the Ontario Government appointed Dr. Bondar to chair the Working Committee on Environmental Education, to strengthen environmental education in the curriculum of elementary and secondary schools. The Committee presented the report and the government has moved forward on all 32 of the recommendations.

Dr. Bondar has been recognized with the NASA Space Medal, inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame and into the International Women’s Forum Hall of Fame for her pioneering research in space medicine. She is a recipient of the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario. In addition, she has received 24 honorary doctorates from Canadian and American universities. In 2003, TIME magazine named her among North America's best explorers. UNESCO has designated 2008 through 2010 as the International Year of Planet Earth and Dr. Roberta Bondar is the Honorary Patron for Canada.

Dr. Bondar has recently completed her second term as Chancellor of Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario and she continues photographing the extremes of our planet.

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