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Life Stories & Traditions
www.panoramitalia.com
Laura Marie Drudi Reaches for the Stars By Aïcha Cissé
This summer, the NASA Ames Research Center, a state-of-the-art facility for aerospace, life sciences and technology research, will welcome graduate students from all over the world on a 10-week internship in Moffett Field, California. Second-year McGill medical student Laura Marie Drudi is the only Canadian to take part in the prestigious program. For the 21-year-old, this internship not only marks the opportunity of a lifetime but also tops her impressive list of accomplishments. “
still can’t believe I got accepted. I feel so honored to represent Canada. It’s every Iastronaut’s dream to get hands-on experience
at NASA,” explains Drudi. Last year, Drudi was selected as one of the 26 Canadian students and professionals the Canadian Space Agency sponsored to attend an international astronautical congress in South Korea. She is also the only Canadian medical student to be awarded the 2010 Canadian Medical Association Award. Drudi has been intrigued by the artifacts of space exploration since the age of 9. Hailing from Saint-Leonard, she is a second-generation Italian who grew up in a home with “no doctors or scientists”. Her parents, an electrician from Pesaro and a teacher from Campobasso, have always been supportive of her aspirations. “My dad and I would stay up to look at the constellations and talk about the universe. I’d say the obsession probably started then,” says the young scientist who is also a recipient of the Order of Canada Mentorship Program. After meeting Canadian astronaut Dr. Dafydd “Dave” Williams while on a Grade 4 field trip to Laval’s Cosmodome, she knew she wanted to follow in his footsteps. As a high school student, Drudi planned to pursue a degree in aeronautical engineering, but changed her vocation when her grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. After her first year of CEGEP, she switched her focus from Pure and Applied Sciences to Health in order to learn more about the disease. The young prodigy spent a year doing cancer research and volunteering at hospitals. Her remarkable initiative led her to attend medical conferences all over the world and garnered the support of the Canadian Space Agency. “I wanted to find ways to counteract the effects of cancer. My tutor and I examined the characteristic properties of cancer cells and we discovered that aspirin and acetylsalicylic acid may have a role in the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and invasion.”
Drudi’s yearlong project sparked an unabated interest in medicine. Upon discovering that she could combine her passion for space with her newfound fascination with medical research, she decided to become a physician - an aerospace physician to be precise. “What draws me into the aerospace medicine domain is the return to the fundamentals of the basic medical sciences. Aerospace physicians take all the knowledge that has been acquired since the origins of medicine, and apply it to extreme environments at high altitudes and reduced microgravity. It’s a new way to deliver health care to astronauts. You have to be knowledgeable about the physical and engineering aspects of the flight environment. It’s very challenging”, says Drudi, who is also the McGill Journal of Medicine Co-editor in Chief. Since no Canadian university offers a program in space medicine, the young student has set her sights on a highly competitive civilian aerospace residency at the University of Texas. She plans to apply there after completing her degree at McGill. In the midst of her academic endeavors, Drudi is a passionate varsity rugby player. In 2006, she was recruited to be a member for the Quebec provincial junior women’s elite team and played in the National Rugby Championships for two consecutive years. She also enjoys the thrill of extreme sports in her spare time. Whether it’s bungee jumping or skydiving, the self-proclaimed daredevil is game for anything. Although she would love to work at NASA, Drudi is determined to join the ranks of her idols Julie Payette and Roberta Bondar. Her accomplishments also mirror those of native Milan astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti. Last year, Cristoforetti was recruited by the European Astronaut Corps for future missions to the International Space Station. She became the first European woman and first Italian woman on the team. Representing Canada in the field of life sciences is Drudi’s ultimate goal and she is grateful for all the support she received from the Canadian space Agency. She has a deep respect and appreciation for those who have supported her ideas. “Canada could definitely be a pioneer in space life sciences. It can be a leader, but it needs to be fostered. I would love to be part of this as an astronaut.” v
Adriano Tassone The Champ #19 By Chiara Folini Born on May 12, 1985, Adriano Tassone entered the world with his vibrant beautiful smile. His parents Sabina and Vince and loving older sister Liana were graced with a burst of sunshine in their lives. His vivacity for life as a little boy remained prevalent throughout his life. rowing up,Adriano spent many Sunday afternoons at his grandparent’s kitchen where it was always alive with laughter and the aroma of food. Adored for his witty sense of humour, Adriano’s positive energy was infectious and his appreciation for family made him the family man he was. Embracing each moment spent together, he was a seamless fit, being the second youngest in his close-knit Italian family. While attending Loyola High School, he handsomely became a man of great conviction. His passion for life was insatiable. Taking on the role of co-president of his high school exemplified his leadership skills. When Adriano joined the Islanders football team out of John Abbott College and the Quebec under-19 provincial rugby team, this heightened his school experience and social life. He later pursued his passion by becoming a vital member of the varsity Redmen football team at McGill University while studying in the management program. Known as an outstanding football athlete, his team mates remember Adriano as a leader, team player and most of all, for his big-heartedness, his loyalty to the team and his larger-than-life personality on and off the field. With a love for the game, he fully enjoyed the years of commitment to football. Adriano was wise beyond his years, academically and socially, and had the ability to reach out and touch every soul he met. Without a doubt, Adriano was a crowd-pleaser while the girls would fall for his striking good looks and charm. His friends describe him as the most sincere person they ever met who had an ability to lure the girls as if he was one of them, and then effortlessly talk about sports with the boys. His empathy for people was admired and he always made time to spend with his close friends, making everyone’s day so much better for it. He always made you feel like the most important person, as if you were only person in the room. He was the talker, the entertainer, the listener and most of all, the best friend everyone wanted. His versatility was expandable; a rare skill to have but Adriano owned it. In November 2008, all16 members of his Italian family traveled on a Caribbean cruise; a trip filled with lasting good memories. A year later, we were blessed to have our last Christmas with Adriano in San Diego, California where he spent many enjoyable summers managing his uncle’s restaurant. Today, Restaurant “Enoteca Adriano” is a true reflection of Adriano’s essence
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Adriano and sister Liana of joie de vivre and its atmosphere evokes a sense of unity and family. Till this day, we still smile when we think back at all the moments we spent with Adriano. He was a caring son, brother, cousin, nephew, grandson and friend and this was truly reflected in the outpouring of love and support upon the sad news of his passing on March 18, 2009.The sparkle of light in his youthful eyes and the radiance in his smile was a constant source of inspiration to all of the lives he touched and enriched us in so many different ways. The joy to have known him is boundless and to have lost such an incredible person, it is indefinable. The last few words that Adriano spoke took place at the Annual Football Awards banquet where he encouraged all to live life to its fullest and which he certainly did. Adj, you’re ageless, you’re one-of-a-kind, never to be forgotten, always in our hearts. Your life has been very fulfilling from its beginning and it continues to live on forever through our memories. We love you!
On August 23rd, 2010, an 2nd Annual Golf Tournament will take place to honour and remember Adriano. “Adriano Tassone Memorial Fund” will raise funds for the Kinesiology Department at McGill University and McGill Athletics football team. For more information, please visit the webpage for information on the event: WWW.TASSONE.CA/ATGOLF v