Who I am and what I do for KSC
Hi my name is Mike Dixon, I am the Director of the controlled environment
systems research facility at the University of Guelph, and also the
head of the horticultural science division. I am currently a professor
on a fellowship with the NRC at the Kennedy Space Center. I have been
working with a team from the Life Sciences group as a researcher in
plant science. Part of our study is to learn how plants will be affected
by low atmospheric pressure. Our main objective is to learn how low
the pressure can go while maintaining healthy plant growth. This will
contribute to our knowledge of plant-based life support for long-duration
space missions to Mars and beyond. We are currently working on the Mars
Greenhouse Project, which is a system that deals with atmospheric pressures
that are similar to those on the planet Mars. NASA's goal will be to
eventually grow plants on Mars, which will sustain a crew indefinitely.
This will be a 6-month study and then I will go back to Canada and continue
working as a professor.
Academic Journey
I grew up in Quebec Canada working in the forest industry with my father.
After high school I went to Mount Alison University in Eastern Canada
where I studied plant biology. After a few years at Mount Alison I decided
to travel to Scotland and went to Edinburgh University were I completed
my PhD. I then came back to Canada and finished my Post doctoral fellowship
at the University of Toronto, which finally lead me to a fellowship
program at the University of Guelph in 1985. I am currently a full professor
in the Department of Plant Agriculture.
Personal info
I am married and her name is Jenny. She works as a nurse in a home care
program in Guelph, Canada. We love the out doors and spend time water
skiing and camping at our cottage on Lake Simcoe near Toronto.
Advice
I would recommend that you enjoy your education and work hard while
you're in school. These are some of the best (and most fun) years of
your life so don't waste them. Good Luck!
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