Astronaut candidate's profile

Where were you born?
Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada

Where do you currently live?
Milton, Ontario, Canada

Education

• Bachelor's, mechanical engineering – University of New Brunswick

What is your current job?

Project Manager for the Components and Feeder Design, Bruce Major Component Replacement Project - My team and I are in the design phase of preparing to refurbish up to six nuclear reactors on the Bruce Peninsula in Ontario. Our mandate is to replace the major components with a new generation of components designed to increase the lifespan of the reactors.

Why do you want to become an astronaut?

This is an exciting position on an important team that allows us to push the boundaries of our knowledge and capabilities further while inspiring others to do the same. We are at an exciting time in this field, and to be a part of it is a great honour.

What motivated you to study in your field?

A keen interest in all things mechanical and applicable physics.

I have always wanted to do work that makes meaningful contributions and allows me to continue learning and pursuing my interests throughout my career. A degree in engineering has allowed me to follow both of those desires.

Think back to a teacher who had a positive impact on your life. What did she/he do to influence you?

My grade 11 and 12 physics teacher continuously encouraged us to keep learning. He would often send us out of class to come up with and perform small experiments and report back our findings. When we were stuck or didn't understand something, he was able to guide us to learn in a way that we understood and applied to the next lesson. He was also involved in many activities outside the classroom, showing us that we can pursue many paths to achieve success.

What do you like best about your job?

I enjoy the people I work with the most. We are a dedicated team performing interesting and challenging work. We support one another and are always available to help ensure we do the best job possible. Our engineering work is very complex and requires too many inputs for any one person to hold all of the knowledge, allowing us to work closely together.

Which living person do you most admire? OR Who are your heroes in real life?

I admire people who have worked hard and faced difficulties while standing for their cause. Two people I admire most who demonstrate these traits are Malala Yousafzai and Elon Musk. Ms. Yousafzai has done a great deal to bring attention to women's rights all over the world. Mr. Musk has used his abilities to further our technology and has dedicated himself to continuing to push us further.

What is your favourite sci-fi movie?

Star Trek.

What is your motto?

Be prepared: tomorrow will come.

What is the best career advice you've ever received?

Boost up those around you and surround yourself with people who boost you up.

What is your most treasured possession?

A small piece of climbing rope my best friend and I used when we used to rock climb outdoors.

What is your favourite place on Earth?

Snowboarding down one of the Purcell Mountains after just being dropped off by a helicopter.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

My greatest achievement is being a part of the National Research Universal reactor vessel repair, where we repaired a leak in the small aluminum vessel to bring the reactor back online and enable it to deliver medical isotopes to help detect and treat cancer.

What is your favourite book?

The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay.