News, News Dr. Michael Barratt, a Camas High School graduate who became a NASA astronaut, will speak at a special public event for Global Entrepreneurship Week in Vancouver on Thursday, Nov. 16
The Camas grad turned astronaut completed two space flights, helped develop NASA’s space medicine programs and was medical operations lead for the International Space Station. He evaluated the medical aspects of humans adapting to weightlessness and the medical risks of space flight. His work with NASA’s research programs has played a role in accelerating innovation in the biotech and pharmaceutical community. He also co-edited the book, Principles of Clinical Medicine for Space Flight, published in 2008.
On Nov. 16, at the “Celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week: Lift Off to Innovation,” event sponsored by Washington State University Vancouver’s Business Growth Mentor and Analysis Program and the Columbia River Economic Development Council as part of its GROW Clark County, Barratt will discuss how his local educational experience set him on the path to become a NASA medical doctor and astronaut. The event will run from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Pearson Air Museum Historic Hangar in Vancouver.
Barratt’s career highlights the importance of investing in education, particularly STEM skills and career-connected learning opportunities, as well as the long-term economic impact of a well-educated and highly skilled local workforce.
General admission costs $25 and includes hors d’oeuvres and a no-host bar; CREDC investor admission costs $20; and college student admission is free with a student ID. To register, visit CRECDC.org/events. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the program begins at 5:30 p.m. The Pearson Air Museum Historic Hangar is located at 1115 E. Fifth St., Vancouver, WA 98661.
