These experiences have shaped and influenced your time in space.Each astronaut is unique. There is no one path. Space agencies are looking for a jack-of all trades because you can tackle almost any problem once you're in space.Engineer at heart, I am. I love machines. This is my fundamental inclination. I like solving problems and then putting them in a box. The fundamental definition of medicine to me is an interest in people. It's about putting yourself in the shoes of someone else and then asking, "What would I do if it was me?" That is what I found fascinating about medicine. It allows you to get at the heart of human nature. It allows you to cut through the noise of culture and reach the heart of people. It is extremely useful in space. It is reassuring to be able to speak clearly and help put things into perspective. It is always comforting to know that there aren't any problems onboard. It is up to the crew to look after each other.During the pandemic, you were a physician again. Is space changing the way you view medicine?It is a strong feeling that I am still in space. This perspective is never lost to me. You can see the Earth from space. It is beautiful. The oceans and city lights at night offer a graceful kind of dance of the life. What is even more impressive is looking the other way, and turning your back on Earth. All you can see is nothing but emptiness. It's easy to imagine this going on for ever. It is very touching to see the vulnerability of humans on this fragile planet. It has given me a deep love for humanity. I find it amazing that humans are still able to hold on to this planet and continue to develop culture, educate children, be creative and create art. It has made me love people.How can you explain to people unfamiliar with the interplay between medicine and space how the medical research done in space will benefit them on Earth?Space research is a huge part of our work. Because astronauts can be affected by a variety of illnesses. Space is a dangerous environment. You don't feel gravity, radiation, isolation or confinement. The stress of such an environment is very harmful. These guinea-pigs were perfect for medical research: bone, brain, heart, and cerebral health, psychology, psychology and hematology.Another aspect of medical technology is the other. The other aspect is in medical technology. We must make astronauts capable of self-help and sharing their knowledge with others in such a remote environment. This problem is similar to what we faced on Earth when we enabled medical care for those who live in remote and rural areas, workers in hazardous environments, military personnel on missions, and elderly people too frail to go to a hospital. This is why the problem of getting medicine to patients is so modern. The pandemic has made us all hungry for the ability to deliver medicine to patients.
