RESILIENCE
This year’s symposium theme, Resilience, reflects the collective strength required to advance human health in space and on Earth.
Space health is a field shaped by uncertainty, innovation, and exploration. Across the program, we will examine resilience through the experiences of trainees, academic researchers, industry leaders, astronauts, and the broader space health community.
Programme
The symposium's schedule will include research sessions from a mix of invited speakers and others selected from general abstract submission, as well as poster presentations as submitted by attendees. The symposium will start early morning on November 2, 2026, and end late afternoon on November 4, 2026. Note that all scheduled items on November 2nd and 3rd will occur in the Drs. Sylvia & Richard Cruess Amphitheatre & Elspeth McConnell Atrium, 1001 boul. Décarie, Montréal, QC, Block E. An additional event (to be confirmed) may take place on November 4th on a different location (with transportation provided by the organizers).
Day one: November 2, 2026
Registration and Light Breakfast (provided and included with registration)
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Opening Remarks
SPEAKER SESSION 1: Remote Biosignal Monitoring for Human Performance in Extreme Environments
Chair: Dr. Emily Coffey​
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.
POSTER SESSION 1
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Lunch Break (provided and included with registration)
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SPEAKERS 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.
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Coffee Break & Networking
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POSTER SESSION 2
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Day two: November 3, 2026
Light Breakfast (included with registration)
SPEAKERS SESSION 3
Space Radiation Biology and Protection
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.
POSTER SESSION 3
Lunch Break (provided and included with registration)
Special Event for Trainees and Early Career Investigators (lunch provided)
More Details Will Be Provided Soon
SPEAKERS SESSION 4
Open Topic
Chair: Dr. Alexander Chouker
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The topic of this session will be created based on the most frequent areas of investigation indicated through the abstract submissions.
Coffee Break & Networking
POSTER SESSION 4
Awards, Announcements and Closing Remarks
Day Three: November 4, 2026
Light Breakfast (included with registration)
09:30AM - 12:00PM
The Canadian Space Agency Consultation Workshop: Health Research in the Post-ISS Era
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Moderator: Luchino Cohen, Manager, Health and Life Science Program, Canadian Space Agency / Government of Canada
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​In this workshop, the Canadian Space Agency is leading an open discussion with the Canadian space health research community to prepare for the new chapter in Low Earth Orbit research. Following the very productive research on the ISS, a new ecosystem will influence many parameters of human space missions such as mission duration, number of potential participants, available facilities, and more.
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