Linda Dao is a Project Officer in Operational Space Medicine at the Canadian Space Agency contributing to the vision development for Canada’s space health initiatives. She studied Biochemistry at McMaster University, where she co-founded the twice award-winning MOON Club, and received her Master’s degree from the International Space University. In 2013, Linda’s designed experiment was performed on the International Space Station by Commander Chris Hadfield. Outside of work, Linda serves diverse roles in non-profit organizations. Leveraging her work, research and volunteer experiences, Linda creates impetus in order to inspire others toward, and highlight opportunities within, the STEM disciplines.

Notable mentions go to Nina Eily Avila Chuey and Katie Harris, the two runners-up selected under the competition.

Nina’s proposal was the development of a mobile application and questionnaire to assign travelers a score based on various risk factors, which could subsequently be updated in real-time using data from the traveler’s wearable technology (e.g. smartwatches). This score, which would be standardized globally, would determine whether an individual should be permitted to travel.

Katie’s idea tackles the secondary population health effects of COVID-19 (reduced physical activity). By adapting health wearables and clinical techniques from space medicine and by using environmental data from Earth observation satellites and urban design data from Google Maps, an application can then link individuals to personalized resources that will address the barriers they are facing (e.g. confinement in high-rises, a lack of green space, or inaccessible outdoor walking areas).