About Amanda Spilkin

Amanda is currently doing research and medical device development of remote healthcare technologies that are meant to benefit remote and underprivileged communities, as well as furthering space exploration for astronauts and generations of space explorers to come.

 

In 2019, she founded the Space Health Division at Concordia University, and oversaw projects related to human immune response research and the development of a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) feedback device. Some years later, Amanda embarked on her next challenge as a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering in the Cardiovascular Fluid Dynamics Lab at Concordia University. She works with a multidisciplinary team in the development of an Autonomous Robotic System for Remote Cardiovascular Ultrasound Imaging that will provide consistent monitoring of cardiovascular health, as well as detection and staging of pathology evolution. Passionate for flight, Amanda also works at Pratt & Whitney Canada in the Overhaul Engineering Department, where she expanded her expertise in aircraft engine components and repair.

​

Amanda's research interests are motivated by overcoming challenges in the delivery of healthcare in extreme environments. Despite that Earth's remote communities and Space are separated by distance and atmosphere, many of the challenges experienced in either setting, sum to one. Space missions are growing longer and more unchartered, and experience limitations on physician assignment in each mission. In a similar light, the lack of medical practitioners and accessibility to common healthcare has long been an issue in remote and underprivileged communities.

 

With ten years of professional and research experience and her background in Physics, Medical Device Development, Aviation and Aerospace, Amanda is spirited in contributing to technological progress and growth of the Aerospace Medicine. She also developed an essence for entrepreneurship during her time as an Investment Associate with Front Row Ventures, Canada's first student-run venture capital fund.

  ​

And a little bit about life when Amanda's got some kumbayah time - she loves spending time with friends and family (especially Vita, the newest addition to the family), and running. One book that changed her life perspective is Scott Kelly's Endurance (thank you for this one!).