NSERC CREATE Training Program in Canadian Astrobiology

天体生物学被广泛地定义为对宇宙中生命的起源、进化、分布、条件和命运的科学研究。这种新的跨学科科学基于两次科学革命-最近认识到微生物生命非常哈代，可以在以前认为地球上不适合居住的非常恶劣的环境中茁壮成长，以及空间技术的爆炸，这些技术正在推动机器人探索火星和其他行星，在我们的太阳系中寻找生命。加拿大天体生物学培训计划（CATP）将创建加拿大第一个跨学科，多机构的本科生，研究生和博士后培训计划，在天体生物学，这就其本质而言，将通过合作和综合研究方法，包含地质学，化学，物理学，天文学，微生物学和机器人技术的元素来完成。CATP学员（约70名研究生和本科生，6年以上的PDF）将接触创新的研究和培训方法，将在独特的加拿大模拟地点进行实地考察，包括在北极地区，在参与大学，政府和行业合作伙伴的尖端分析设施进行实验室工作。将通过课程和研讨会视频会议以及跨学科监督，在机构内部和机构之间提供共享的专门知识。专业培训将通过与我们在CSA，MDA空间任务的合作者以及我们的国际合作伙伴（包括NASA艾姆斯）的培训轮换来加强。CATP HQP在天体生物学的各个方面接受过培训，将站在寻找地球以外生命的最前沿。实际上，CATP将解决空间科学中公认缺乏HQP的问题，并带来新的科学机会，促进加拿大参与未来的火星飞行任务，最终目标是让加拿大科学家在2-5年内积极参与此类飞行任务，并在2018年左右参与火星采样返回使命;这两项任务都是2008年加空局探索路线图的直接举措。通过该计划获得的技能将直接转移到各种其他学科，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.