Engineer flies high as NASA flight surgeon, designs safer space suits

04 October 2017

It might seem unusual that NASA presented its Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal to a doctor. But before becoming a physician and a NASA flight surgeon, Douglas Hamilton completed his bachelor's and his Master's degrees in electrical engineering at the University of Alberta.

His friend, Canadian astronaut Robert Thirsk, whom Hamilton supported as a NASA flight surgeon, refers to him as "an engineer of astonishing ingenuity."

Hamilton was recognized by NASA in 2012 for identifying and clarifying the risk of electric shock to astronauts performing spacewalks (commonly known as EVAs). This research, based on supercomputer models he was instrumental in developing, has not only informed the design of new EVA suits and resulted in revised space vehicle standards, it may well lead to improved design standards in the automotive and toy manufacturing industries.

Hamilton has a reputation for extreme ingenuity and the ability to fix anything, capabilities that spring from a boundless natural curiosity. In addition to surgical lasers, Hamilton has designed lasers for use in forensics and for the oil and gas industry. Among his other inventions are a drill capable of taking tissue from a beating heart in a tenth of a second and a special production tool used in building Boeing aircraft.