Programme
The symposium's schedule will include in-person research sessions and panel discussions from invited speakers (listed below), and poster presentations as submitted by attendees. The symposium will start the evening on November 2, 2026, and end late afternoon on November 4, 2026. Note that all scheduled items will occur in-person in the Drs. Sylvia & Richard Cruess Amphitheatre & Elspeth McConnell Atrium, 1001 boul. Décarie, Montréal, QC, Block E
Day one: November 2, 2026
19:00 – 21:00
Visit to the Hume Cronyn Memorial Observatory
Western University
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Taking place during the Cronyn Observatory visit will be a book launch for the first novel by Dr. John Moores, titled "Daydreaming in the Solar System: Surfing Saturn's Rings, Golfing on the Moon, and Other Adventures in Space Exploration.” Learn more at: https://cronyn.uwo.ca/schedule/
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SESSION 1: Remote Biosignal Monitoring for Human Performance in Extreme Environments
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Chair: Dr. Emily Coffey
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Advances in portable sensors are enabling remote monitoring of physiological and neural signals related to cognitive state, sleep, and readiness for high performance. These technologies are increasingly being explored to support training, decision-making, and operational performance in space and other extreme environments. Chaired by Dr. Emily Coffey (Concordia University, Montreal), this session invites abstract submissions presenting empirical findings from studies using biosignal monitoring technologies to assess or enhance human performance, cognition, and health in operational or experimental settings.
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SESSION 2: Advances in Brain Health and Repair
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Chair: Dr. Alexandra Kindrat
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Spaceflight exposes the brain to unique stressors that may affect cognition, mental health, and neurological function. Understanding these effects is essential for protecting astronaut health and performance during long-duration missions and can also provide insights into brain health on Earth. Chaired by Dr. Alexandra Kindrat (McGill University Health Centre Research Institute, Montreal), this session invites abstract submissions presenting empirical findings on mechanisms and strategies to protect or repair brain health under spaceflight-relevant conditions such as microgravity, radiation, circadian disruption, trauma, inflammation, and aging. Studies involving astronauts or spaceflight analogs, using experimental, digital, and/or AI-assisted approaches are welcome.
Day two: November 3, 2026
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SESSION 3: Space Radiation Biology and Protection
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Chair: Dr. Marcelo Vazquez
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During long-duration and deep space missions, astronauts are exposed to ionizing radiation from sources such as galactic cosmic rays and solar particle events. These radiation environments differ substantially from those on Earth and may pose significant risks to human health. Chaired by Dr. Marcelo Vazquez (Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Chalk River), this session invites abstract submissions presenting empirical findings on the biological effects of space radiation across molecular, cellular, and system levels. Studies using in vitro and in vivo models that advance our understanding of radiation responses and inform strategies for radioprotection in space and on Earth are particularly encouraged.
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SESSION 4: TBD
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