Question: Have you ever thought about doing space related science?

Vicky Forster answered on 9 Nov 2013:

Yes, this would be my dream job! When I was younger I always wanted to be an astronaut, and I still do to an extent, although i am very happy with what I am doing now. As Werner says, although you maybe wouldn’t initially think it – space is very useful for people like he and I, who are studying human diseases. It’s also very important for us to learn more about how people function in space, as our astronauts are now spending more and more time in space on the international space station. My research looks at DNA mutations and how these can lead to cancer. We know that in space, people are probably more likely to get DNA mutations in their cells because on Earth, our atmosphere protects us from a lot of radiation that comes from space, but people in Earth orbit don’t have this protection. I would love to do a research project to see whether people who go into space for long periods of time are more prone to getting cancer because of this increased radiation exposure.