University of Lethbridge Secures Major Funding for Groundbreaking Astronaut Health Research
A local team led by Dr. Gerlinde Metz will partner with NASA to study the intense impacts of spaceflight on the human body, thanks to a significant grant from the Canadian Space Agency.

Jim Brown
Sep 3, 2025
The University of Lethbridge is launching a pivotal new study into the health effects of space travel.
A prestigious research team, led by Dr. Gerlinde Metz at the university’s Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, has secured a $225,000 grant from the Canadian Space Agency.
This funding allows local scientists to join a major collaboration with NASA, conducting a first-of-its-kind analysis of astronauts.
The study will examine how the human body adapts to extreme stressors like intense vibrations, radiation, and the loss of gravity.
While protecting the health of future space travelers is the primary goal, the research has powerful local implications.
The findings could also provide profound insights into aging and disease processes here on Earth.
This mission places Southern Alberta science on a galactic stage, reinforcing the university's reputation as a leader in neuroscience.