Astrobiology Science Conference 2010 (2010) 5421.

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THE CANADIAN ASTROBIOLOGY TRAINING PROGRAM: A NEW DRIVING FORCE FOR

ASTROBIOLOGY IN CANADA. G. R. Osinski1, L. Whyte2, N. Banerjee1, E. Cloutis3, J. Nadeau4, , W. Pollard5,
R. Pudritz6, B. Sherwood Lollar7, G. F. Slater8, H. Vali9, B. Wing10, 1Dept. of Earth Sciences, University of Western
Ontario, London, ON (gosinski@uwo.ca), 2Dept. of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC,
3
Dept. Geography, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MN, 4Dept. Biomedical Engineering, McGill University,
Montreal, QC, 5Dept. Geography, McGill University, Montreal, QC, 6Dept. Physics, McMaster University, Hamil-
ton, ON, 7Dept. Geology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, 8School of Geography and Earth Sciences, McMaster
University, Hamilton, ON, 9Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, 10Department of Earth and
Planetary Sciences and GEOTOP, McGill University, Montreal, QC

Introduction: Are we alone? With the constant approximate conditions that exist on Mars. In particu-
stream of data arriving almost daily from the surface of lar, the Canadian Arctic offers a plethora of analogue
Mars, this fundamental question of humanity has never sites, including vast regions of continuous perma-
been so significant. What makes it so compelling is the frost/ground ice, meteorite impact craters, glacial land-
recent realization that microbial life is extremely hardy scapes, perennial saline springs, ice-covered lakes, and
and can survive and even thrive in very harsh envi- ancient rock formations. Through the CSA Canadian
ronments previously thought uninhabitable on Earth: Analogue Research Network (CARN) program, sev-
acidic streams, alkaline ponds, salt lakes, hot springs, eral Canadian analogue sites were recently established
and cryoenvironments. Such discoveries have revolu- as world-class bases for Astrobiology-related field
tionized our view of the microbial world and have studies, including the McGill Arctic Research Station
united researchers across disciplines in order to test the (MARS) and the Haughton impact crater in the high
limits of life. At the same time, the recent discovery of Arctic, and Pavilion Lake in British Columbia. These
a SuperEarth exoplanet in the habitable zone around its sites serve as training and testing grounds for students,
central star is another major breakthrough. Chemists, PDFs, and researchers and for instruments and tech-
physicists, earth scientists, microbiologists and engi- nologies, by both Canadian and international teams.
neers are collaborating to discover and define analogue Research relevance. With almost half of Canada's
sites (conditions) and quantify the sensitivity of life- GDP growth in the knowledge-intensive sectors of the
detection instruments. These discoveries have also economy, Canadian Space Science is a key driver be-
opened the possibility that similar “extremophile” mi- hind continued leadership on the world stage, new op-
croorganisms existed, or still exist, in similar environ- portunities for industry and scientists, and long-term
ments on other solar system bodies. social and economic benefits for all Canadians.
Astrobiology in Canada: Since 1999, astrobiol-
ogy has been a discipline of the Canadian Space
Agency’s (CSA) Space Exploration Program and Can-
ada’s Space Plan. As noted by the CSA: “the search
for life, either extinct or extant, on Solar System bodies
beyond Earth is of the highest scientific interest and
possibly of the greatest potential impact on human
society.” The 2008 CSA Exploration Roadmap in-
cludes direct initiatives for Canadian participation in
Mars Exploration missions, including direct CSA in-
volvement in a Mars sample return mission. As noted
(Sept. 03 2008) by The Honourable Jim Prentice, PC,
QC, MP Minister of Industry, “... in the next phase of
the great adventure, our vision is to ensure that Canada
stays at the forefront of space exploration and devel-
opment. At this crossroads, Canada will take the road
that leads to a future of scientific and technological
excellence. Canada will be among those bold nations
that go on to new exploration and new development.”
Terrestrial analogue sites for astrobiology – A Ca- Figure 1. Expertise of key researchers and collabora-
nadian strength. Canada is in an enviable position of tors (italics) divided into three primary research foci
hosting a number of well-established and unique sites and three different approaches: laboratory investiga-
for astrobiology analogue studies especially those that tions, and modern and ancient environments.
Astrobiology Science Conference 2010 (2010) 5421.pdf

NSERC CREATE Canadian Astrobiology Natural Resource Sciences, Physics, Microbiology,

Training Program Grant: The Canadian Astrobiol- Earth and Planetary Sciences, Geography, or Engineer-
ogy Training Program (CATP) is the first of its kind in ing; at McMaster, Physics and Astronomy, Biology,
Canada. Funded through NSERC’s new Collaborative Geography and Earth Sciences. and Biochemistry. At
Research and Training Experience (CREATE) Pro- Western: Earth Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Ge-
gram, the CATP is a cross-disciplinary, multi- ography, or Engineering; at U. Winnipeg – Bioscience,
institutional undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral Technology, and Public Policy.
training program in Astrobiology. The overall objec- The MSc and PhD programs will consist of
tive of the CATP is to train teams of outstanding coursework, research, and field work according to the
Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) in Astrobiology. As existing models in the host departments, with four in-
Astrobiology is a fundamentally integrative science, novative features provided by CATP: graduate option,
this will be accomplished through interdisciplinary interdisciplinary supervision, rotations, and videocon-
research approaches containing elements of geology, ferencing. Rotations are a key innovative feature of
chemistry, physics, astronomy, microbiology, and ro- CATP training and will be available and encouraged
botics, all of which will be implicated in constructing for all CATP students, funded in part by monetary and
the program at the participating universities and insti- in-kind contributions from partners. These rotations
tutions (Fig. 1). CATP comprises leading scientists will consist of 4–12 week internships in partner labs,
from major nodes of astrobiology and planetary re- either academic government or industrial sites (e.g.
search in Canada: Quebec (McGill University) and CSA, MDA Space Missions, MPB Communications,
Ontario (University of Western Ontario, McMaster NASA Ames, Desert Research Institute (DRI)). We
University, and University of Toronto) as well the identify three tracks based upon field of study: an
University of Winnipeg. “analogue fieldwork” track; a “wet lab” track; and an
CATP trainees (~70 graduate and undergraduate “instrumentation” track (Table 1).
students, PDFs over 6 years) will be exposed to inno-
vative research and training approaches, combining Analogue Wet Lab Track Instrumentation
fieldwork at unique Canadian analogue sites with labo- Fieldwork (Nadeau, Vali, Track
ratory work at cutting edge analytical facilities at par- Track (Pollard, Sherwood-Lollar, (Nadeau,
Wing, Whyte, Banerjee, Osinski, Cloutis, Osinski,
ticipating university, government, and industry part-
Osinski, Baner- Slater, Whyte) Pollard)
ners. CATP HQP trained in various aspects of astrobi- jee, Cloutis)
ology will be at the forefront of the search for life be- Choice of su- Optional: Enrol- Choice of two
yond the Earth. Indeed, CATP will address the recog- pervisors and ment in supervisors: one
nized lack of HQP in space science and lead to new planning of BMDE506 “Mo- in engineering
scientific opportunities and promote Canadian partici- seasonal field lecular Biology and one in biol-
pation in future missions to Mars with the ultimate trips Methods” ogy/ planetary
sciences
goal of having Canadian scientists actively participat-
Rotation in Laboratory-based Rotation in wet
ing on such missions within 2-5 years as well as a fu- analoge field research project lab to test real
ture Mars sample return mission; both are direct initia- site(s): 2-4 with two co- biological ques-
tives of the 2008 CSA Exploration Roadmap. The weeks per site supervisors tion with devel-
skills acquired through this program will be directly oped technology
transferable to various other disciplines, such as Earth Analysis of 8-10 week rota- Field testing in
and environmental sciences, robotics, medicine, and materials from tion at co- non-remote sites;
analogue sites in supervisor’s insti- sharing of tech-
astronomy. Professional training will be enhanced by
the field and lab tution or labora- nology with
training rotations with our collaborators at CSA, MDA tory those travelling
Space Missions, and our international partners, includ- to remote sites
ing NASA Ames. Field testing and Shorter visits as Industrial or
Program structure: CATP consists of the follow- deployment of needed to NASA government
ing structure to optimally enhance the HQP training instruments in Ames, DRI, etc rotation (CSA,
experience: analogue sites MDA, etc)
Graduate Student Training. The goal of our pro-
gram is to provide students with the broadest possible
exposure to astrobiology and its applications to the Table 1. Research tracks for CATP Trainees, with
industrial, public, and academic sectors. The graduate names of faculty participants and locales for field-
students recruited into the program have the choice of work/internships.
several departments in which to register: at McGill,