'Humans are truly resilient, but we have some way to go in terms of sending astronauts safely to Mars'

Why King’s?

King’s is a world-renowned university for research and teaching, with strong links to institutions like the European Space Agency (ESA). The MSc is also led by space medicine experts and offers the opportunity to complete a library project and a space physiology research dissertation. It was the only course of its kind at the time.

I was studying medicine and I was fortunate to get the grades to intercalate – that is, to take a year out of my medical degree to pursue an additional, related degree. This allowed me to become the first medical student (rather than a qualified doctor) on the course! Everything aligned perfectly, allowing me to take my first steps into a space medicine research career.

What’s your favourite memory at King’s?

Each November, the Physiological Society hosts a science communication week celebrating physiology. As part of this, my classmates and I organised a space medicine evening. We presented our research and hosted King’s alum and Professor Thais Russomano (PhD in Respiratory Space Physiology, 1998), a leading expert in the field. The event was a full house. It was inspiring to see such enthusiasm for this niche area.

We also visited ESA, attending lectures from flight surgeons and collecting data using the vertical treadmill, centrifuge and hypobaric chamber. It was a memorable, hands-on experience.

What’s the key skill you learnt at King’s?

I learnt to adapt. Plans change and things don’t always go as expected, but that’s okay. During my masters, I learnt about my study habits and how to manage the workload. I also learnt a lot about the human body and how it performs in extreme environments. Humans are truly resilient, but we have some way to go in terms of sending astronauts safely to Mars.

This knowledge is also highly transferable in the NHS. For example, it's relevant to Intensive Therapy Units patients or those on prolonged bed rest, who experience muscle and bone loss like astronauts in microgravity.

How did King’s prepare you for your mission in Antarctica?

My time at King’s coincided with the beginning of the COVID pandemic, closely mirroring my current experience of isolation and confinement in Antarctica.

At King’s, I was studying spaceflight isolation, confinement in spaceflight and analogs – Earth-based research or training sites such as Antarctic bases that simulate extreme space environments. At the same time, I was experiencing similar conditions first-hand during the COVID lockdown. The combination made for an intense and deeply immersive experience.

I still use coping mechanisms from that time – staying connected, managing loneliness and a demanding workload – to navigate life in extreme environments.

What launched your journey into Space Physiology and Health?

Before studying medicine, I completed a BSc/MSc in Astrophysics and a PhD in Medical Physics focusing on cancer research. Space medicine therefore perfectly merges my interests in space and health. Search and rescue is crucial in human spaceflight, from emergencies during astronaut training to routine retrieval and medical evaluation after Earth return.

It's incredible to work in such an exciting field with a space agency. I look forward to bringing these experiences back into my clinical practice in the NHS.

What are your plans after Antarctica?

When I return in November 2025, I’ll take time to readjust and enjoy the festive season with loved ones. I’ll resume my surgical residency in the NHS and stay involved with space medicine research! This includes a post-mission data collection with ESA on projects I’ve been working on during my time at Concordia Station.

Any advice for alumni hoping to follow in your footsteps?

Some of my best opportunities came from my MSc dissertation and connections I made at King’s. I presented my dissertation at the Aerospace Medicine Association with a full scholarship and I won an award for early career research from The Physiological Society. I also did my medical school dissertation and electives with NASA and the University of Texas Medical Branch – all made possible through contacts from King’s.

If opportunities don’t exist in your field at your level, create them! Start a society, enter a competition or organise an event themed around your interest. These efforts open doors and lead to valuable mentorship, which is key to progressing in any specialised career path.