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NOSM grad makes latest cut in Canadian astronaut program

Field now down to 17 candidates; two successful candidates will be named in August
220317_Jesse_Zroback
Northern Ontario School of Medicine graduate Jesse Zroback has survived the latest cut as he attempts to become one of two new astronauts with the Canadian Space Agency. (Supplied)

Northern Ontario School of Medicine graduate Jesse Zroback has survived the latest cut as he attempts to become one of two new astronauts with the Canadian Space Agency.

More than 3,700 people applied for the two coveted positions, and in August the space agency will name the successful candidates. The field was narrowed down to just 17 candidates on Monday.

Earlier in the process, there were three candidates with Northern Ontario connections.

Along with Zroback, there was also Science North staff scientist Olathe MacIntyre, who was cut from the program in February, and Sault Ste. Marie-born Richard Federley, who was taken out in the latest round of cuts.

Zroback, a native of Kenora, Ont., has a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Waterloo and is a 2012 graduate from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. 

As of last month, Zroback was doing a locum for a doctor in Kenora, but previously, he'd practised for two years in Marathon. 

“One of my friends sent me the listing right away when it was posted because he knew I was into space and I always wanted to be an astronaut,” said Zroback, who spoke to Sudbury.com in March.

Being an astronaut is “kind of like being a modern-day explorer to the extreme,” he said, adding that the two successful candidates could end up travelling to the International Space Station or even the moon or Mars.

With his engineering background, Zroback said he's interested in the technology aspect of space exploration.

Space technology has even gone on to be used in a medical context — surgical arms, for example, are inspired by the Canadarm. While the assessments of the candidates have been intense, Zroback said he's enjoyed them.

“You're meeting all these people that have aspired to the same thing as you throughout your entire life, and they have remarkable qualifications, and they all have such great personalities,” he said.

“They're all professors or doctors, high-ranking military personnel or pilots.”


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Heidi Ulrichsen

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