How Space Spooks your Skeleton

The Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) conducts advanced studies exploring big questions of the 21stcentury and beyond. Its research gains insights into Celtic society and its legacy; progresses our understanding of our island, our planet and the universe; and deciphers the underpinning mathematical principles of nature.The Institute leads Ireland’s participation in a number of international and global initiatives that focus on big unanswered questions for mankind.When it was founded in 1940, DIAS was the world’s second-only institute for advanced studies – and the first such institute in Europe. For 80 years, it has pushed the boundaries of discovery and, today, it is a globally-embedded institution that attracts high-calibre researchers from all over the world in its core disciplines of Celtic Studies, Theoretical Physics, Astrophysics and Geophysics. DIAS Dunsink Observatory is a designated European site of historical significance for physics.

Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies

Learn the frightening facts about the hazards of human spaceflight and how to build bones like an astronaut. (In-person event)

Samhain agus Science 2024

Samhain agus Science is an annual initiative of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies taking place each year during Halloween.  The Schools of Celtic Studies, Theoretical Physics, Astrophysics and Geophysics host a programme of public events.

Skeletons do not like spaceflight. Microgravity effects on bone health and the rates of muscle loss are frightening. Therefore, huge energy and time investment goes into protecting astronauts' bones. This talk will cover the human hazards of spaceflight and teach you how to take good care of your bones like an astronaut.**********This talk is being given by Dr Lisa McNamee.Dr Lisa McNamee is a medical doctor with a special interest in aviation and space medicine. She holds honours degrees from Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Trinity College Dublin and an MSc from University College Dublin.She has completed the European Space Agency's space physician training course and the University of Texas Medical Branch Principles of Aviation and Space Medicine course. She is a co-founder of Space Medicine Ireland and is working on multiple space medicine research projects. She lectures in medicine and engineering and has published extensively in the academic and mainstream press.She won the Women's Aerospace Awards 2024 in the category of medicine and health. She received the Anita Mantri PhD Award in the field of Aerospace Medicine education, outreach and leadership. She is a 2024 Women in STEM Rising Star Award nominee. She developed a free medical emergencies translation app, Fluent Medic, which is available on the App store.She is a podcast co-host for Irish Doctors for the Environment's Climate Conversations Podcast. She is the Outreach lead for the Women in Medicine in Ireland Network.Lisa is a passionate science communicator and space aficionado.**********Now in its seventh year, Samhain agus Science brings together researchers from DIAS and around the world for a series of free events that take inspiration from the Celtic festival of Samhain and look at the dark side of science.The festival aims to make the big scientific questions of our time and Celtic history relevant, accessible, and fun to a general audience who might not normally be familiar with these topics.We hope you can join us for this in person event on 07 November.