It’s a great honour to receive this award and follow in the footsteps of such impressive researchers within aerospace medicine and physiology
Dr Thomas Smith
21 May 2019
Thomas Smith recognised by Aerospace Medical Association
Dr Smith was honoured with the Eric Liljencrantz Award recognising his exceptional achievements over more than 15 years of basic research into the problems of altitude physiology and hypoxia, as well as acceleration and weightlessness.
Thomas was presented his award during the Aerospace Medical Association's (AsMA) Honors Night Ceremony held May 9, 2019, in Las Vegas, as part of the 90th Annual Scientific Meeting.
The Eric Liljencrantz Award is given annually to honour excellence as an educator in aerospace medicine, or basic research into the problems of acceleration, altitude, or weightlessness.
Dr Smith joined King’s in 2017 from the University of Oxford where he established a successful aerospace medicine research group. He has led numerous international research collaborations in altitude/hypoxia physiology, microgravity and acceleration, developing an outstanding record of excellence and innovation in this research.
During the same meeting, Thomas was recognised as a newly elected Academician of the International Academy of Aviation and Space Medicine. This group is made up of leading specialists in the field of aviation and space medicine worldwide.
Using different techniques, Dr Smith’s research in hypoxia/altitude physiology has changed the understanding of how cardiopulmonary responses to hypoxia are controlled in humans, and how passengers are affected by cabin hypoxia during air travel, with important implications for both clinical medicine and aeromedical fitness-to-fly.