Astronaut candidate's profile
The candidates participating in the astronaut selection process all have unique journeys and outstanding qualities and skills. You can read their remarkable profiles here.
Cooper-Roy, Alexandre
Where were you born?
Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Where do you currently live?
Pasadena, California, USA
Education
- Bachelor's, engineering physics – École Polytechnique de Montréal
- Bachelor's and master's, physics – École Polytechnique de France
- Master's, nuclear engineering and management – University of Tokyo
- Ph.D., nuclear science and engineering – Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Photo of the astronaut candidate during the aptitude tests. (Credit: Canadian Space Agency)
What is your current job?
Postdoctoral researcher in atomic physics, Institute for Quantum Information and Matter, California Institute of Technology (Caltech) - My research aims at better understanding the dynamical properties of quantum systems formed by ensembles of interacting atoms. Technical applications of my research include processing quantum information, measuring physical quantities with greater precision, and simulating the complex dynamics of exotic magnetic materials. My daily tasks include designing, building, and characterizing optical and electronics systems, developing simple mathematical models to predict experimental measurements, and communicating scientific knowledge through written and oral presentations.
Why do you want to become an astronaut?
Astronauts devote their lives to redefining the boundaries of the known world by conducting scientific experiments and exploring new regions of the universe, thus deepening our understanding of our origins and destiny. I want to become an astronaut to contribute to the advancement of science and technology and to help establish self-sustainable human habitats beyond Earth. I am thrilled by the challenge of working aboard the International Space Station and collaborating with our international partners to land the first humans on Mars.
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