What happens when you’re 225 million kilometres from Earth—and a medical emergency strikes?
In this session from the World Extreme Medicine Conference, Erik Seedhouse—associate professor in spaceflight operations and research scientist in space life sciences—explores how astronauts can deliver medical care on long-duration missions without direct ground support. Drawing on his experience in physiology, suborbital astronautics, and operational training, he introduces cutting-edge approaches to Just-In-Time (JIT) medical training and the use of virtual reality in space-based healthcare.
Erik is an associate professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a former astronaut candidate for the Canadian Space Agency. He holds a PhD in physiology, earned while working with the European Space Agency, and currently trains with the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences. From centrifuge operations to suborbital science missions, his work sits at the intersection of innovation, resilience, and crew autonomy.