Dr Shawna Pandya Is Making History As Canada's 1st Female Commercial Astronaut

Canada's first female commercial astronaut, neuroscientist, certified aquanaut, sky-diver, black belt martial artist, and optimistically more– Dr Shawna Pandya consistently pushes the boundaries of human excellence. The Indian-origin scientist stands out as a living testament to what is possible when passion meets perseverance. I know what you’re wondering; “How does she do it?” In an interview with SheThePeople, Dr Pandya shared just that, reflecting on her unique journey and the philosophy that fuels her pursuit of growth.

Start Of An Extraordinary Journey

Dr Pandya was born to Indian immigrants who arrived in Canada in the 1980s. Her dream of being among the stars was ignited at a young age when she witnessed the country's first female astronaut, Dr. Roberta Bondar, fly to space in 1992. "I was awestruck: women could also go to space!" Dr Pandya recounted.

Bondar was also the first-ever neuroscientist to go to space. "I thought that to be like her I just needed to follow her path - she became a neuroscientist, physician and astronaut, so I set out to do the same," said Dr Pandya, who has a BSc Honors in Neuroscience, an MSc in Space Studies, and an MD.

Apart from her academic pursuits, Dr Pandya also practices taekwondo. She got into the sport when she was 15 years old and went on to become a second-degree black belt competing and winning at the local, national, and international levels. She credits the sport as the foundation for her multifaceted success.

"Martial arts has become central to who I am," Dr Pandya reflected. "The core tenets of 'Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, Indomitable Spirit,' have truly been instructive and translational to medicine, piloting, diving and sky-diving. The key is tenacity, fortitude, practice, and having a strong supportive network."

Training For Upcoming Historic Space Trip

According to reports, Dr Pandya is the first Canadian woman to become a commercial astronaut. The trailblazer has been training at the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences since 2015 and is poised to undertake a new mission, IIAS-02, with the private space tourism organisation, Virgin Galactic.

Dr Pandya shared about her training experience. "I have learned to become a skilled operator in highly dynamic environments while working in high-performing, tightly knit teams. The individuals I work with are incredible, serving as experts within their fields and embodying what it means to be a good teammate."

She emphasised the role of collective effort in her work at the IIAS. "We are constantly looking out for each other, looking for gaps to fill in to make each other's to-do lists a little shorter, and constantly challenging ourselves to perform at the next level. This is true whether we are testing spacesuits in microgravity in parabolic flight, completing test runs in our neutral buoyancy lab, and/or developing novel science that will help advance human spaceflight." 

Dr Pandya will travel aboard a Delta Class spaceship alongside Kellie Gerardi, an American bioastronautics researcher and payload specialist, and Ireland's Norah Patten, an aeronautical engineer and bioastronautics researcher. Virgin Galactic said in a recent statement that the lift-off is slated for 2026.

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The three-women crew is set to embark on a groundbreaking mission that would not only advance space research but also set a precedent for women in STEM across the globe. The scientists' contributions are expected to uplift a new generation of female scientists and explorers to reach for the stars.

Dr Pandya's Journey As A Woman Of Colour In STEM

As a South Asian-origin woman navigating the male-dominated world of science, Dr Pandya's achievements are breaking barriers for underrepresented groups in STEM. While her determination pushed her to overcome many hurdles, she now acknowledges her influential role in paving a simpler way for others.

"I have always been so focused on my goals that I haven't paid too much mind that I was one of the few women or one of the youngest in the room for much of my career. There was simply too much to do for me to listen to anyone who tried to tell me that what I was aiming to do was impossible," Dr Pandya said.

She continued, "That being said, there is value in representation - if we can see it, we can be it - and I have had many young women in STEM, often of Southeast Asian heritage, approach me and tell me how much it means to see someone who looks like them in a field they want to pursue."

 "If we are truly in pursuit of the best minds to achieve lofty goals, then we need to look in all corners and facilitate access to STEM and space careers for those who may have historically been excluded, or not had access."

Healthy Mind, Healthy Body

Having numerous demanding roles can be a challenge but Dr Pandya has cracked the code to seamlessly navigate them all. Sharing her secret to finding balance, she said, "One can't always be going at 100%, and I try to take time to work out and connect with loved ones daily to maintain balance."

"These activities act as 'internal sensors,' in that if I miss out on them too many days in a row, the alarm goes off, and it is a sign that something needs to change, otherwise I will burnout. I also am surrounded by friends and family who know me really well, and tell me frankly when I need to dial down the pace."

However, Dr Pandya's unwavering passion for her work keeps her motivated. "I love what I do, and that helps me navigate a rigorous schedule that essentially operates at breakneck speed, 7 days a week." She reflected on her opportunities working with some exceptional talents who keep the fire of her zeal burning. 

"The best part of my career has been the calibre of people I am surrounded by. My family, my IIAS-02 astronautics crew, and my aquanaut crew through the NEPTUNE (Nautical Experiments in Physiology, Technology and Underwater Exploration) have truly set the standard of accomplishment, kindness, and drive."