Roberta Bondar Biography: Education, Age, Space Missions, Nationality, Ethnicity, Wikipedia, Height, Net Worth, Family

Roberta Bondar is a pioneering Canadian neurologist, astronaut, and environmental advocate, recognized as the first Canadian woman and the first neurologist to travel into space.

Born on December 4, 1945, in Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario, her journey from a small town to the forefront of space exploration is defined by her dedication to science and her commitment to raising awareness about environmental issues.

Profile

• Full name: Roberta Lynn Bondar
• Date of birth: December 4, 1945
• Age: 80 years old
• Gender: Female
• Place of birth: Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario, Canada
• Nationality: Canadian
• Profession: Neurologist, astronaut, researcher, photographer
• Height: N/A
• Parents: Edward Bondar, Mildred Bondar
• Siblings: Barbara Bondar (sister)
• Spouse: N/A
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: N/A
• Net worth: $3 million

Early Life and Education

Roberta Bondar is now at the age of 80. She was born on December 4, 1945, in Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario. Growing up, her parents encouraged her interests in science and exploration.

Her father worked as an office manager at the local public utilities commission while her mother taught business and commerce. As a child, Bondar showed an early fascination with science; her father even built her a laboratory in their basement.

Bondar attended Sir James Dunn Collegiate & Vocational School in Sault Sainte Marie before pursuing higher education. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology and agriculture from the University of Guelph in 1968.

Following this, she completed a Master of Science degree in experimental pathology at the University of Western Ontario in 1971 and obtained a Ph.D. in neurobiology from the University of Toronto in 1974. In 1977, she graduated with an M.D. from McMaster University.

Personal Life

Roberta Bondar has never been married and does not have any children. While details about her relationships are not widely publicized, it is known that she has been dedicated to her professional pursuits throughout her life.

She remains actively involved in various initiatives promoting science education and environmental awareness.

Career

Roberta Bondar’s career began with extensive training in neurology and neuro-ophthalmology. After completing her internship at Toronto General Hospital, she underwent postgraduate medical training in neurology at the University of Western Ontario and further specialized in neuro-ophthalmology at Tufts New England Medical Center in Boston.

In 1983, Bondar was selected as one of the first six members of the Canadian Space Agency’s astronaut program. She began her astronaut training in 1984 and was designated as a payload specialist for the first International Microgravity Laboratory Mission (IML-1).

On January 22, 1992, she flew aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery during mission STS-42, becoming the first Canadian woman and second Canadian overall to travel into space. During this eight-day mission, she conducted over 40 experiments focused on how microgravity affects living organisms and materials processing.

After her historic flight, Bondar left the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to concentrate on her research interests. She led an international space medicine research team collaborating with NASA for over a decade. Her work focused on understanding how humans adapt to space conditions and investigating neurological effects related to space travel.

In addition to her scientific contributions, Bondar is an accomplished photographer who has published several books showcasing her work. Her photography often emphasizes themes related to nature and environmental conservation. In 2009, she founded The Roberta Bondar Foundation to promote environmental education through art.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout her career, Bondar has received numerous honors for her contributions to science and society:

• Officer of the Order of Canada
• NASA Space Flight Medal
• Induction into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
• Over 28 honorary degrees from various universities
• A star on Canada’s Walk of Fame

Social Media

• Instagram: N/A
• Twitter: N/A

Books

• Touching the Earth (1994)
• The Arid Edge of Earth (2006)
• The Roberta Bondar Foundation publications