Next-Generation Suborbital Researchers Conference 2013
june 3 - 5, 2013
omni interlocken resort
broomfield, colorado
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Keynote Talk
Monday, June 3, 2013
10:30 am - 11:15 am |Room D/B/A
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A graduate of Stanford University and Stanford Medical School, Dr. Scott Parazynski went on to train at Harvard and in Denver in preparation for a career in emergency medicine and trauma. Dr. Parazynski has numerous publications in the field of space physiology, and has a particular expertise in human adaptation to stressful environments.
In 1992 he was selected to join NASA's Astronaut Corps and eventually flew 5 Space Shuttle Missions and conducted 7 spacewalks (EVAs). In his 17 years as an Astronaut, he served in numerous senior leadership roles, including EVA Branch Chief and the Lead Astronaut for Space Shuttle Thermal Protection System Inspection & Repair (in the aftermath of the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy). Mission highlights include a global ozone mapping mission on STS- 66; leading the first joint US-Russian spacewalk during STS-86 while docked to the Russian space station Mir; serving as Senator John Glenn's crewmate and "personal physician" during STS-95; and conducting EVA assembly of the Canadian-built space station arm during STS-100. During his fifth and final mission, STS-120 to the International Space Station, he conducted four spacewalks, including a dramatic, unplanned repair of a live solar array.
He currently serves as Chief Medical Officer of the Center for Polar Medical Operations at UTMB in Galveston, Texas. In this position he oversees the medical screening and on-ice care of the National Science Foundation's US Antarctic Program. He is also involved in numerous technology start-up initiatives stemming from his IP. He serves on the Boards of Directors of several organizations and companies, as well as on the visiting or adjunct faculty at several universities around the world. He is also Chairman of the Board of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, one of the world's most succesful STEM education organizations, inspiring over 400,000 school children each year through hands-on, simulated missions to space.
He is the recipient of a number of prestigious awards, including: five NASA Spaceflight Medals, two NASA Distinguished Service Medals, two NASA Exceptional Service Medals, two Vladimir Komarov Diplomas from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, two Flight Achievement Awards from the American Astronomical Association, the Aviation Week Laureate Award, the Ellis Island Family Heritage Award, the Gold Medal from the American Institute of Polish Culture, the National Eagle Scout Association's Outstanding Eagle Award, the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland and the Lowell Thomas Award from the Explorers Club. Additionally, he a member of the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame and has received an honorary doctorate from the Military University of Technology in Warsaw, Poland.
