Aging in Space Event Profiles Canadian Research on The

July 2019

even dial-back stiffening arteries. rapid ‘aging-like’ changes to arteries during RESEARCH spaceflight.” Hughson has already worked with several astronauts, most notably Hadfield during his Only in the past few years have researchers, RESEARCH EDUCATIONMattersPRACTICE time as commander aboard the ISS in 2012- like Hughson, started to understand the full 13. effects of space travel on cardiovascular health. Collaborations between Canadian Aging in Space event profiles “Often the most surprising discoveries researchers and astronauts have made these Canadian research on the happen at the furthest reaches of explora- discoveries possible, and strengthened tion,” says Hadfield. “The International Space International Space Station Canada’s reputation for leading innovative Station is a unique laboratory, pushing our space research. collective abilities and knowledge to the very By Liz Snyder limit. I’m delighted to be a part of Canada’s “The RIA is here to advance world-class research there, to help understand and research and drive innovation,” says Josie Days before Canadian Space Agency astro- benefit the health of our seniors.” d’Avernas, executive director of the RIA. naut David Saint-Jacques came back to Earth “This work is a perfect example of that. We after spending 6 ½ months on the Interna- The RIA lab in Waterloo is linked to the ISS so are learning from Canadian astronauts tional Space Station (ISS), the RIA hosted Retired Canadian Space Agency astronaut Chris Hadfield the team could monitor Saint-Jacques as he during spaceflight by connecting directly to Aging in Space to showcase some of the (standing, left) with Professor Richard Hughson (standing, right) conducted the Vascular Echo experiments. the ISS from right here at our Waterloo with The Village at University Gates residents Georgios During the event Hughson and Hadfield research he took part in while there – Gotsaridis (seated, left) and Phil Fiess. home base, and then applying the findings to research that will help us understand, and showed video footage of Saint-Jacques on benefit our aging population.” maybe even reverse, aspects of the aging the next stage in Hughson’s research findings. the ISS using robot-controlled ultrasound process. He previously found that after only a few technology to collect real-time data on his months in space, astronauts’ arteries stiffen cardiovascular health. At the event, which took place on June 21, by the equivalent of aging 20 years on Earth. retired Canadian Space Agency astronaut Stiffened arteries can affect blood pressure, a Ultrasound teleoperations lead Danielle Chris Hadfield and Richard Hughson, Schlegel common issue in older adults. These changes Greaves also showed how they connect to Research Chair in Vascular Aging and Brain can interfere with movement and cognition, the ISS with a live demonstration of the link Health and Professor at the University of and contribute to the development of heart to the team members in France at Sonoscan- Waterloo, talked about Hughson’s research disease. ner, the company that developed the Echo project Vascular Echo which Saint-Jacques is technology. contributing to. During this project Hughson and his international team will compare cardiovascular data “It is very exciting for our team, my students, Vascular Echo, funded by the Canadian Space collected from astronauts on the ISS – like and the community that we can do our Agency, is named after the technology the Saint-Jacques’ – with older adults here on research with Canadian astronauts,” says team is using to collect data and will inform Earth to try to find ways to slow down or Hughson. “We collected ultrasound images using the robotic ultrasound system and took Continued on next page... blood samples on the ISS to explore the

The Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging aims to enhance the quality of life and care of older adults through partnerships in research, education and practice. Innovations are developed and tested in the Schlegel Villages, and then shared to beneﬁt older adults everywhere. 250 Laurelwood Drive, Waterloo ON, N2J 0E2 | 519.904.0660 ext. 4100 ... Continued from previous page

even dial-back stiffening arteries. rapid ‘aging-like’ changes to arteries during spaceflight.” Hughson has already worked with several astronauts, most notably Hadfield during his Only in the past few years have researchers, time as commander aboard the ISS in 2012- like Hughson, started to understand the full 13. effects of space travel on cardiovascular health. Collaborations between Canadian “Often the most surprising discoveries researchers and astronauts have made these happen at the furthest reaches of explora- discoveries possible, and strengthened tion,” says Hadfield. “The International Space Canada’s reputation for leading innovative Station is a unique laboratory, pushing our space research. collective abilities and knowledge to the very limit. I’m delighted to be a part of Canada’s “The RIA is here to advance world-class research there, to help understand and research and drive innovation,” says Josie Days before Canadian Space Agency astro- benefit the health of our seniors.” d’Avernas, executive director of the RIA. naut David Saint-Jacques came back to Earth “This work is a perfect example of that. We after spending 6 ½ months on the Interna- The RIA lab in Waterloo is linked to the ISS so are learning from Canadian astronauts tional Space Station (ISS), the RIA hosted the team could monitor Saint-Jacques as he during spaceflight by connecting directly to Aging in Space to showcase some of the conducted the Vascular Echo experiments. the ISS from right here at our Waterloo research he took part in while there – During the event Hughson and Hadfield home base, and then applying the findings to research that will help us understand, and showed video footage of Saint-Jacques on benefit our aging population.” maybe even reverse, aspects of the aging the next stage in Hughson’s research findings. the ISS using robot-controlled ultrasound process. He previously found that after only a few technology to collect real-time data on his months in space, astronauts’ arteries stiffen cardiovascular health. At the event, which took place on June 21, by the equivalent of aging 20 years on Earth. retired Canadian Space Agency astronaut Stiffened arteries can affect blood pressure, a Ultrasound teleoperations lead Danielle STAY CONNECTED! Chris Hadfield and Richard Hughson, Schlegel common issue in older adults. These changes Greaves also showed how they connect to Follow us on Twitter: Research Chair in Vascular Aging and Brain can interfere with movement and cognition, the ISS with a live demonstration of the link EMAIL@SchlegelUW_RIA US: Health and Professor at the University of and contribute to the development of heart to the team members in France at Sonoscan- Waterloo, talked about Hughson’s research disease. ner, the company that developed the Echo Like us on Facebook: project Vascular Echo which Saint-Jacques is technology. fb.me/SchlegelUWRIA contributing to. During this project Hughson and his international team will compare cardiovascular data “It is very exciting for our team, my students, Email Us: Vascular Echo, funded by the Canadian Space collected from astronauts on the ISS – like and the community that we can do our [email protected] research with Canadian astronauts,” says Agency, is named after the technology the Saint-Jacques’ – with older adults here on Check us out Online: team is using to collect data and will inform Earth to try to find ways to slow down or Hughson. “We collected ultrasound images www.the-ria.ca using the robotic ultrasound system and took blood samples on the ISS to explore the