NSERC CREATE Training Program in Canadian Astrobiology

天体生物学被广泛地定义为研究宇宙中生命的起源、演化、分布、条件和命运的科学。这门新的跨学科科学是基于两场科学革命——最近认识到微生物生命极其顽强，可以在地球上以前认为不适宜居住的非常恶劣的环境中茁壮成长；以及太空技术的爆炸式发展，推动了机器人探索火星和其他行星，以寻找我们太阳系中的生命。加拿大天体生物学培训计划（CATP）将创建加拿大首个跨学科、多机构的天体生物学本科、研究生和博士后培训计划，其本质将通过协作和综合研究方法来完成，包括地质学、化学、物理学、天文学、微生物学和机器人技术。CATP学员（约70名研究生和本科生，6年以上的pdf文件）将接触到创新的研究和培训方法，将在加拿大独特的模拟地点（包括高北极地区）进行实地考察，并在参与的大学，政府和行业合作伙伴的尖端分析设施进行实验室工作。机构内部和机构之间的专业知识共享将通过课程和研讨会视频会议以及跨学科监督的方式提供。专业培训将通过与CSA、MDA空间任务的合作者以及包括NASA Ames在内的国际合作伙伴的培训轮转来加强。在天体生物学的各个方面受过训练的CATP HQP将站在寻找地球以外生命的最前沿。事实上，CATP将解决空间科学中HQP的公认不足，并带来新的科学机会，促进加拿大参与未来的火星任务，最终目标是在2-5年内让加拿大科学家积极参与这些任务，并在2018年左右参与火星样本返回任务；两者都是2008年CSA探索路线图的直接倡议。通过该项目获得的技能将直接转移到其他学科，如地球和环境科学、机器人、医学和天文学。

Astrobiology is broadly defined as the scientific study of the origin, evolution, distribution, conditions and destiny of life in the universe. This new, transdisciplinary science is based on two scientific revolutions - the recent realization that microbial life is extremely hardy and can thrive in very harsh environments previously thought uninhabitable on Earth and the explosion of space technologies that are driving the robotic exploration of Mars and other planets in the search for life in our solar system. The Canadian Astrobiology Training Program (CATP) will create the first Canadian cross-disciplinary, multi-institutional undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral training program in Astrobiology, which by its very nature will be accomplished through collaborative and integrative research approaches containing elements of geology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, microbiology, and robotics. CATP trainees (~70 graduate & undergraduate students, PDFs over 6 years) will be exposed to innovative research and training approaches, combining fieldwork at unique Canadian analogue sites, including those in the high Arctic, with laboratory work at cutting edge analytical facilities at participating university, government, and industry partners. Shared expertise within and among institutions will be provided by means of course and seminar videoconferencing, and interdisciplinary supervision. Professional training will be enhanced by training rotations with our collaborators at CSA, MDA Space Missions, and our international partners, including NASA Ames. CATP HQP trained in various aspects of astrobiology will be at the forefront of the search for life beyond the Earth. Indeed, CATP will address the recognized lack of HQP in space science and lead to new scientific opportunities and promote Canadian participation in future missions to Mars with the ultimate goal of having Canadian scientists actively participating on such missions within 2-5 years as well as the Mars sample return mission in ~2018; both are direct initiatives of the 2008 CSA Exploration Roadmap. The skills acquired through this program will be directly transferable to various other disciplines, such as Earth and environmental sciences, robotics, medicine, and astronomy.