From Zero Gravity to Grit: The Making of a Modern Explorer with Dr Shawna Pandya
Standard | $15
Concession | $10
Junior (5 – 15) | $7.50
Junior (0 – 4) | Free
Suitable for all ages.
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Explore the extraordinary journey of Dr. Shawna Pandya – trailblazing astronaut, aquanaut, aeromedical transport physician, advanced diver, and martial artist – as she takes on the world's most extreme frontiers.
As the first named female commercial Canadian astronaut, Shawna is preparing to soar aboard the Virgin Galactic Delta-class spacecraft with the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS) as early as 2026.
Named one of the “50 Explorers Changing the World" by the Explorers' Club, she earned her aquanaut designation during the 2019 NEPTUNE mission, and completed a second, NEP2NE, in May 2023 – spending a total of 11 days, 10 nights underwater.
She has flown 12 parabolic flight campaigns, culminating over 180 parabolas of experience in micro- and reduced gravity, and was among the first crew to test a commercial spacesuit in zero-gravity. Through these incredible milestones, marking a career of bold firsts and boundary-pushing exploration, Shawna is redefining the boundaries of what’s possible!
Join us for an inspiring keynote speech followed by a meaningful conversation with Commander Kat, Perth’s RTR resident science guru. Together they'll share insights, stories and a glimpse into the next chapter of Shawna's remarkable life.
Be part of an unforgettable evening that will leave you inspired and give you stories worth sharing.
Tickets are limited – reserve your place now.
Presented in partnership with the Forrest Research Foundation.
More about the speakers
Dr. Shawna Pandya is the first named female commercial Canadian astronaut, and will be flying to space with the Virgin Galactic Delta class of spacecraft with the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS) as early as 2026. She is also an emergency and aeromedical transport physician, aquanaut, Director of IIAS’ Space Medicine Group, Executive Director of the IIAS Flight Opportunities Program, and Chief of Space Medicine at the Advanced Spacelife Research Institute.
Dr. Pandya was on the first crew to test a commercial spacesuit in zero-gravity in 2015. She earned her aquanaut designation on the 2019 NEPTUNE (Nautical Experiments in Physiology, Technology and Underwater Exploration) mission, and completed a second aquanaut mission, NEP2NE, in May 2023, for a total of 11 days, 10 nights underwater. She served as the medical lead and co-PI of the 2023 IIAS-01 suborbital research flight, as well as a PI and/or co-I for Ax-2, Polaris Dawn and Blue Origin payloads.
Her publications include a paper on medical guidelines for commercial suborbital spaceflight, and book chapters on space technologies that have benefitted terrestrial medicine, psychological resilience in long-duration spaceflight, reproduction and sexuality in long-duration spaceflight, and the future of space medicine.
Her work is permanently exhibited at the Ontario Science Center alongside Dr. Roberta Bondar, the first Canadian woman in space. In 2022, Dr. Pandya was named in the Explorers' Club's “50 Explorers Changing the World." In 2024, she was recognized for her contributions by the Women’s Space Awards in the Medicine and Health category, and inducted as a full member of the International Astronautical Federation’s Human Spaceflight Committee. Dr. Pandya also serves as part of the XPRIZE Brain Trust, and as a mentor with the Creative Destruction Lab. Her work has been profiled by Nature Careers and the Royal Canadian Mint.
While Commander Kat’s day job as an academic at ECU focuses on building a sustainable future here on Earth, where she works with major transport projects to reduce their carbon emissions, her true passion has always been pointed towards the cosmos.
A self-declared space cadet, Kat has shared her passion for science and space for more than 30 years, including a presenting weekly segment on RTRFM.
