2024 Speakers

Nick Strzalkowski is a neurophysiologist, passionate science educator, and avid space enthusiast. As an associate professor at Mount Royal University, he explores how the human body senses and controls movement - with a particular interest in extreme environments like high altitude and space! Nick’s research journey includes working with Space Shuttle astronauts, studying how spaceflight affects skin sensitivity. Now, he’s continuing this work on Earth, investigating how spending 60 days in bed simulates the effects of long-term space travel. Nick is eager to share research stories to make space science feel closer to home.

Dr. Raj Bhardwaj is a Family Physician and Urgent Care doctor working in downtown Calgary. He is also a Clinical Assistant Professor with the Department of Family Medicine at the Cumming School of Medicine at his alma mater, the University of Calgary. He started in the Science Communication realm early, working at the Edmonton Space & Science Centre in the 1990s. That fit in well with his interest in space, which started much earlier, mostly from watching Star Trek and exploring science, and science fiction from books and magazines from his local library. He has refined his common-sense approach to explaining complex science and medical topics ever since. Raj has been a “House Doctor” for CBC Radio Syndication since 2013.

Sarah Hewitt is a biology professor at Mount Royal University where she teaches human physiology and neuroscience. One day though, in an effort to fuse her love of science, writing, and the outdoors, she decided to become an Adventure Scientist. Now, in her free time, she travels the world, takes photos, explores strange places, tries to learn everything about everything, and then tells people about it.