35 Facts About Dafydd Williams

Dafydd Rhys Williams OC OOnt CCFP FCFP FRCPC FRCP FRCGS was born on May 16,1954 and is a Canadian physician, public speaker, CEO, author and a retired CSA astronaut.

Dafydd Williams's first spaceflight, STS-90 in 1998, was a 16-day mission aboard Space Shuttle Columbia dedicated to neuroscience research.

In 1998, Dafydd Williams became the first non-American to hold a senior management position within NASA, when he held the position of Director of the Space and Life Sciences Directorate at the Johnson Space Center and Deputy Associate Administrator of the Office of Spaceflight at NASA Headquarters.

Dafydd Williams earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from McGill University in 1976, a Master of Science in physiology, and a Doctor of Medicine and Master of Surgery from McGill University in 1983.

Dafydd Williams completed a residency in family medicine at the University of Ottawa in 1985 and obtained fellowship in emergency medicine from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, following completion of a residency in emergency medicine at the University of Toronto in 1988.

Dafydd Williams received postgraduate training in advanced invertebrate physiology at the Friday Harbor Laboratories of the University of Washington.

Dafydd Williams served as a member of the Air Ambulance Utilization Committee with the Ontario Ministry of Health both as an academic emergency physician and later as a representative of community emergency physicians.

Dafydd Williams remains active in life science and space medicine research, both as a Principal Investigator and as a Co-Investigator.

On May 18,2011, Dafydd Williams became the new president and CEO of Southlake Regional Health Centre, the regional hospital in Newmarket, Ontario, to lead the facility into becoming a full-fledged teaching and research centre.

Dafydd Williams continued in this role until October 2017 when he left Southlake to work as a healthcare and aerospace consultant.

Dafydd Williams was selected by the Canadian Space Agency in June 1992.

Dafydd Williams completed basic training, and in May 1993 was appointed manager of the Missions and Space Medicine Group within the astronaut program.

Dafydd Williams was assigned as one of the crew members and acted as the crew medical officer.

Dafydd Williams announced his retirement as an astronaut on February 29,2008, effective from March 1,2008.

In January 1995, Dafydd Williams was selected to join the 1995 international class of NASA mission specialist astronaut candidates.

Dafydd Williams reported to the Johnson Space Center in March 1995 and completed training and evaluation in May 1996.

From July 1998 to November 2002, Dafydd Williams served as Director of the Space and Life Sciences directorate with responsibility for research in both physical and biomedical space sciences at the Johnson Space Center.

Dafydd Williams's programs were directed toward protecting astronauts from the hazards of the space environment, including space radiation and microgravity, in addition to maintaining their medical, physical, and psychological well-being while aloft and on return to Earth.

Dafydd Williams served as an aquanaut on the first NEEMO crew aboard the Aquarius underwater laboratory in October 2001.

Dafydd Williams was scheduled to command NEEMO 7 in October 2004, but was replaced by back-up crewmember and fellow CSA astronaut Robert Thirsk due to Dafydd Williams undergoing review of a temporary medical issue.

Dafydd Williams was on a mission specialist 3 on STS-90 Neurolab.

Dafydd Williams was assigned to the crew of STS-118, an assembly mission to the International Space Station.

Dafydd Williams was the second Canadian to lead an EVA and is one of four Canadian astronauts who have performed EVAs.

Dafydd Williams is a member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, the Ontario Medical Association, the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians, the Aerospace Medical Association, the Canadian Society for Aerospace Medicine, and the Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute.

Dafydd Williams was awarded the Commonwealth Certificate of Thanks in 1973 and the Commonwealth Recognition Award for his contribution to the Royal Life Saving Society of Canada.

Dafydd Williams was named Faculty Scholar in 1982 and University Scholar in 1983 by the faculty of medicine at McGill University.

Dafydd Williams was twice awarded the second prize for his participation in the University of Toronto Emergency Medicine Research Papers Program, in 1986, and 1988, and received top honours in that competition in 1987.

Dafydd Williams was recognized with the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal in 2002, a JSC Space and Life Sciences Directorate Special Professional Achievement Award, and in 2004 a NASA Astronaut Office GEM Award and Langley Research Center Superior Accomplishment Award.

In 2012, Dafydd Williams was inducted into the Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame.

Dafydd Williams received Queen Elizabeth II, Diamond Jubilee Medal, later that year and the following year Williams was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2013 for his work in space exploration.

Dafydd Williams received the Order of Ontario in 2015 and the Award of Excellence from the College of Family Physicians of Canada later that year.

Dafydd Williams has received the following honorary degrees; Honorary Doctorate of Laws, University of Saskatchewan, Honorary Doctorate of Science, McGill University, Honorary Doctorate of Science, University of Wales, Honorary Doctorate of Science, Queen's University 2009, Honorary Doctorate of Laws, Dalhousie University.

Dafydd Williams was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and is married to Cathy Fraser of Pointe-Claire, Quebec.

Dafydd Williams enjoys flying, scuba diving, hiking, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, downhill and cross-country skiing.

Dafydd Williams is of Welsh descent through his late father, Bill who was born in Aberbargoed.