Background
Thirsk, Robert Brent was born on August 17, 1953 in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada.
Thirsk, Robert Brent was born on August 17, 1953 in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada.
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, University Calgary, 1976. Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1978. Doctor of Medicine, McGill University, 1982.
Master of Business Administration, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1998. Doctor of Laws (honorary), University Calgary, 2009. Doctor of Science (honorary), University New Brunswick, 2010.
Resident Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Montreal, Canada, 1982—1983. Astronaut Canada Astronaut Program, since 1984. Sabbatical year Victoria, Canada, 1994—1995.
Chief astronaut Canada Space Agency, 1993—1994. Astronaut National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Houston, since 1998. Director Canada Foundation International Space University, since 1992.
Crew Commander CAPSULS mission, 1994. Astronaut Space Shuttle mission STS-78, 1996. Crew Commander NEEMO 7 undersea mission, 2004.
Backup astronaut STS-41G space shuttle mission, 1984, Soyuz 10 S taxi mission, 2005. Astronaut Soyuz Mission Turnaround Management Association-15 & ISS Expeditions 20 & 21, 2009.
Member of College Physicians and Surgeons British Columbia, College Physicians & Surgeons Ontario, Aerospace Medical Association, Canada Aeronautics & Space Institute, Canada College Family Physicians, Association Professional Engineers Ontario (Gold Medal award 1997).
Married Brenda Biasutti. 3 children.