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The JCMS Dermatology Podcast with Dr Kirk BarberAuthor: Canadian Dermatology Association
Engaging dermatology conversations with authors of the articles in the Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, hosted by Editor-in-Chief Dr. Kirk Barber. JCMS is the peer-reviewed journal of the Canadian Dermatology Association. Language: en-ca Genres: Education, Health & Fitness, Medicine Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Editor's Choice V - Ep 110: Skin in Space - What Happens to the Human Body Beyond Earth? With Astronaut David St Jacques and Canadian Space Agency CMO Dr. Raffi Kuyumjian
Wednesday, 4 November, 2026
When Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen made his historic journey around the Moon aboard Artemis II earlier this year, JCMS Editor-in-Chief Dr. Kirk Barber found himself wondering: What happens to our skin when we leave Earth? And how will we keep astronauts healthy as humans begin spending years in space, on moon-bases or on the way to Mars and beyond?To find out, he speaks with Canadian astronaut and physician Dr. David Saint-Jacques and Canadian Space Agency Chief Medical Officer Dr. Raffi Kuyumjian.From disappearing athlete's foot, calluses developing in unexpected places to eczema, skin infections and changes in immune function, the conversation reveals some surprising dermatological consequences of living in microgravity.Saint-Jacques shares first-hand stories of treating medical problems aboard the International Space Station, while Kuyumjian explores what researchers are learning about the effects of spaceflight on the skin.The discussion also looks ahead to the enormous medical challenges of establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon and eventually travelling to Mars. How do you perform surgery millions of kilometres from Earth? And could advances in autonomous medicine, teledermatology and AI-assisted diagnosis ultimately improve healthcare in remote communities here at home.Dr. David Saint-Jacques is a Canadian astronaut, physician, engineer and astrophysicist who spent 204 days aboard the International Space Station in 2018–2019, conducting scientific experiments and serving as a crew medical officer. Before joining the Canadian Space Agency, he practised family medicine in Puvirnituq, Nunavik, where he was co-chief of medicine at the Inuulitsivik Health Centre.Dr. Raffi Kuyumjian is Chief Medical Officer and flight surgeon with the Canadian Space Agency, helping safeguard astronauts' health before, during and after their missions. Trained in both medicine and engineering, he previously worked with the European Space Agency and has extensive experience practising family and emergency medicine in remote communities.Both draw on their experiences practising medicine in isolated northern Canadian communities, where limited resources, difficult evacuations and the need for independent medical decision-making present challenges remarkably similar to those encountered in space.This special JCMS Editor's Choice episode is made possible through the generous support of Sun Pharma Canada, through the Canadian Dermatology Association's Corporate Supporter Program.You might also enjoy: Episode 107, featuring Canadian cave diver Jill Heinerth, exploring decompression sickness, skin bends and the medical challenges of another extreme environment.For more from the Canadian Dermatology Association, visit dermatology.caCDA Podcasts are produced by David McGuffin and Graham McGuffin of ExploreProductions.ca
