Q&A with David Saint-Jacques

As a child, I was impressed by photos of Earth taken from the moon. They showed me the immensity of the universe around us, the splendour and obvious fragility of our planet. Growing up, I was drawn to a life of adventure, exploration and discovery. I didn't think that becoming an astronaut was a real possibility, but my fascination with space remained, and that childhood dream has motivated me to reach my full potential as a human being. I wanted to learn everything, both about the sciences and world cultures. To be an explorer, I also had to become a responsible and trustworthy adult. Opportunities for discovery have presented themselves in many forms: science, medicine, living abroad. When I learned one day that astronauts were being recruited, the dream returned, and the little boy I once was convinced me to apply.

To understand: that is my main motivation. This fundamental need has guided my academic and career path. I've always wanted to get to the bottom of things, and go beyond books and theory. I'm naturally curious and drawn by discovery and adventure.

Like my father and grandfather, I started by studying engineering—I wanted to know "how things worked"! I always wear my engineer's ring proudly.

Next I studied astrophysics to understand the universe: Where do we come from? What lies deep in the night sky?

After about 10 years of study and working abroad, my interests had evolved and I wanted to return to Quebec to play a more direct social role. I took up medicine in order to better understand the human being.

I was a family physician at the Inuulitsivik health centre in Puvirnituq, an Inuit community on the shores of Hudson Bay. I was also a clinical lecturer for McGill University and supervised student and resident interns in Nunavik.

Before becoming a physician, I worked as an astrophysicist in Cambridge, United Kingdom; in Tokyo, Japan; at the Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii; and with the astrophysics group at the University of Montreal.

Before becoming an astrophysicist, while working as an engineer for a small business in Quebec, I was involved in designing radiology equipment for angiography at the Lariboisière hospital in Paris, France.

Each in their own way, the professions I have practised have prepared me well to go into space.

Practising medicine in isolated regions is a team affair, where you have to solve complex problems with limited resources. As in the field of space exploration, everyone is enthusiastically dedicated to their work: first responders, doctors, nurses, air ambulance pilots. You learn to work together and trust each other, to the point that you have no hesitation about putting your life in your colleagues' hands.

My years as an astrophysicist taught me the discipline of research and the joy of scientific discovery as I worked in observatories the world over, part of international teams determined to push the boundaries of knowledge.

As an engineer, I especially enjoy the creativity and the satisfaction of finding a solution to a practical problem that is so elegant, so reliable and so ergonomic that in the end you take it for granted. When an engineer has done their job well, it works, and that's all there is to it!

Finally, whether in Nunavik, Japan, England or France, I have lived in communities where the culture was different from mine. This has taught me to step back, to observe, to question myself and to become more adaptable.

Raising my three children, and succeeding in being a good husband and good father despite the elevated demands of my work and the compromises and sacrifices it involves. This requires real teamwork with my wife. Like me, she juggles child care and a demanding career, all while living as an expatriate. This balancing act is made possible thanks to her energy, her creativity and her sense of humour. I am nourished by my family life – it keeps my feet on the ground!

Anything worth doing is worth doing right.

As a young student, I had the chance to meet astronaut Steve MacLean when he came to speak at my university. I told him of my passion for space and my curiosity about his work. He gave me some very simple advice: don't try to build your career path solely around the goal of becoming an astronaut. First and foremost, make choices that will make you happy. That way you will be happy, wherever life takes you!

I have followed his advice. I understand that dreams are important because they provide a direction, but not necessarily a destination. We have to cherish our dreams and let ourselves be guided by our ideals, while remaining open to the opportunities that arise along the way. Above all, don't consider yourself a failure if you end up someplace other than where you expected. If every step is a positive experience, then the end result will be the right one.

The director of my doctoral thesis, the late Professor John Baldwin. He was a sort of second father to me. Over and above his scientific mind, his intellectual creativity and his hardworking nature, he was an exceptionally generous man who was attentive to others. He saw his team of students, technicians and support staff as people, not numbers. As a leader, he naturally felt responsible for their professional success, but also in part for their personal well-being. His team was like a family, and each member had everyone's interests at heart and was unsparing in their efforts.

I have always been impressed by those who have to face extreme adversity – serious disease, war, disaster – and manage to remain serene through it all. I sincerely admire those who demonstrate resilience, who find meaning in their lives in spite of all the meaninglessness that may confront them. To stay happy is something truly heroic.