Three Canadian Students Took Part in NASA Research

Longueuil, Quebec, August 17, 2004 – Three Canadian students, recipients of
Canadian Space Agency (CSA) science scholarships, participated in an
intensive training program at NASA this summer.

Melissa Battler, of Ayr, Ontario, recipient of the Space Exploration
Scholarship, took part in a 10-week program at NASA’s Astrobiology Academy
in California. Melissa worked with a NASA principal investigator who
provided her with insight into the process leading up to space missions. She
completed her bachelor’s in geology at the University of Waterloo this year
and plans to do a master’s degree in the same field.

The other two CSA scholarship recipients took part in a six-week training
program at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida as part of the NASA Space
Flight and Life Sciences Training Program.

Val Lapin, a Toronto native and third-year student at the University of
Toronto, and Shane Lloyd, of Cultus Lake, British Columbia, a second-year
student at the University of British Columbia, took part in the various
stages of space-flight simulation experiments and life sciences research
conducted at NASA. These students are both pursuing an honours degree in
pharmacology, and they have distinguished themselves by their outstanding
academic achievements.

For more information on the 2004 scholarship to attend the Spaceflight and
Life Sciences Training Program, visit the following Web site: http://www.space.gc.ca/slstp.

For more information on the 2004 Space Exploration Scholarship, visit the
following Web site: www.space.gc.ca/ses

http://www.espace.gc.ca/asc/eng/csa_sectors/space_science/scholarships/exploration-2004.asp.

Biographical Notes on CSA Scholarship Recipients

Melissa Battler has completed her B.Sc. in geology at the University of
Waterloo and will pursue an M.Sc. in geology this fall at Memorial
University of Newfoundland. She participated in Expedition One-the first
Canadian-run Mars Mission simulation at the Mars Desert Research Station in
Utah. She is currently training to become a Canadian Space Agency Student
Ambassador.

Val Lapin is currently completing her third year of an honours degree in
pharmacology at the University of Toronto. She is interested in studying
molecular cancer genetics and has conducted award-winning research for the
past four summers at the University of Toronto’s Department of Medical
Biophysics. She would like to focus her research on the application of
pharmacology in molecular cancer genetics.

Shane Lloyd is currently completing his second year of an honours degree in
pharmacology at the University of British Columbia. He was awarded a Natural
Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) prize for his
work on the evolution of gregarines. After obtaining his undergraduate
degree, Shane hopes to pursue graduate studies in biotechnology.

For information:

Carole Duval
Media Relations Advisor
Media Relations and Information Services
Canadian Space Agency
Telephone: (450) 926-4370
E-mail: carole.duval@space.gc.ca