Aerospace Physiology Lab

Simon Fraser University
Aerospace Physiology Lab

Vancouver

The Aerospace Physiology Laboratory conducts research related to human physiological responses and adaptations to Terrestrial and Space environments. The Director, Dr. Blaber, has a special interest in modeling cerebral blood flow regulation under various environmental conditions. Located in the Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology at Simon Fraser University the laboratory has cardiovascular, respiratory, blood flow, tilt table and exercise testing capabilities, with access to climatic, dive and altitude chambers.

Dr. Robert Thirsk (2nd from left) Canadian ISS expedition astronaut and CCISS participant visits the lab in 2010 with fellow expedition-20 astronaut Frank De Winne (middle).

People (Right to left: Sasan Vosoogh-Grayli, Dr. Robert Thirsk, Siamack Vosoogh-Grayli, Frank De Winne, Steven Blaber, Dr. Andrew Blaber, Amanmeet Garg
We specialize in non-invasive measurements of human physiology. The lab has the capability to measure continuous non-invasive heart rate, arterial blood pressure, blood flow (Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound for cerebral and other arterial blood vessels) and breath-by-breath respiratory gas exchange. Recently we conducted experiments to test the relationship between cerebral blood flow regulation and fainting in the elderly;

NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards Air force Base, California, USA: Post-flight measurements of an ISS astronaut (4 hours after landing) as part of CCISS project. (Dr. Blaber on the right + 2 graduate (left and right) and one undergraduate (middle) student.)

the effect of altitude on orthostatic intolerance; and the effects of chronic exposure to high levels of carbon dioxide (Space Station simulation) on cerebral autoregulation and orthostatic tolerance. Presently we are conducting experiments to investigate: physiological responses and adaptations to altitude; cerebral blood flow during exercise at various altitudes; effects of weightlessness (space flight) and hypergravity (human centrifuge) on cardiovascular reflexes; and, the relationship of cardiovascular and postural controls with aging and with concussion.

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Visit scientist Mitsuru Saito (Toyota Institute of Technology): measuring MSNA during tilt at 3,600 m altitude in the Altitude chamber at SFU. also measured: HR, BP, Sa02, Ventilation, Blood gases, Cerebral BF, Total peripheral resistance.