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CSA scholarship sends student to NASA

Prateek Khatri, a biomedical science student at the University of Ottawa, will participate in a summer training program at the NASA facilities in Florida.

Khatri is one of two Canadian university students selected by the Canadian Space Agency to attend the 2005 NASA Spaceflight and Life Sciences Training Program, which allows  students to take part in a six-week program at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC).

In addition to simulated space flight experiments, participants will examine the environmental impact of the space shuttle program and learn more about a wide range of life sciences research. Leading scientists, managers, engineers and astronauts from NASA centers, universities and industry will deliver lectures and trainees will receive extensive tours of the KSC facilities.

Currently in his second year of studies, Khatri has achieved an A+ in all his university courses thus far. As a recipient of the University’s undergraduate research scholarship, he is already conducting medical research on a protein that could have implications in the treatment of epilepsy and nicotine addiction. Khatri is also active in extracurricular activities. As founder and president of the University of Ottawa Bioethics Debating Society, he organizes debates concerning ethical issues in scientific research.