Kevin Fong Keynote Speaker

Kevin Jeremy San Yoong Fong, is a British based doctor, broadcaster, and professor at University College London (UCL), Dr. Fong’s career spans various roles, including consultant anaesthetist and anaesthetic lead for Major Incident Planning at UCL Hospitals. Notably, he is a prehospital doctor with Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex and a leading figure in space medicine in the UK, serving as the co-director of the Centre for Aviation Space and Extreme Environment Medicine (CASE Medicine) at UCL.

Dr. Fong’s earned Bachelor’s degrees in astrophysics and medicine from University College London, further extending his skills with a master’s degree in astronautics and space engineering from Cranfield University.  An aspiring astronaut himself, Kevin applied to ESA’s astronaut selection processes in 2008 and in 2022.

The breadth of Dr. Fong’s career is impressive. He has made significant contributions as a consultant in anaesthesia and intensive care medicine at UCLH, where he also played a pivotal role in founding CASE. His dedication to the advancement of science and medicine led his position as Professor of Innovation and Engagement for Science and Medicine at UCL’s Department of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Public Policy, and as an Honorary Lecturer in Physiology at King’s College London.

Dr. Fong’s passion for space medicine propelled him to the forefront of the UK’s involvement in international human space exploration programs. His initiatives include organizing a landmark international space biomedical conference at UCL in 1999, launching the UK’s first undergraduate course in Space Medicine and Extreme Environment Physiology, and contributing to several high-level reviews of human space exploration strategy.

His engagement with the broader community is highlighted through his appearances on television and radio. Dr. Fong has brought science to the public eye as a presenter of the BBC2 science programme Horizon, the Channel 4 series Extreme A&E, and the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures on BBC Four. His commitment to public engagement was recognized with The Wellcome Trust’s first Public Engagement Fellowship in 2011 and a senior fellowship award in Innovation and Engagement in 2016.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Fong’s expertise was further solicited when he was seconded to NHS England as National Clinical Advisor in Emergency Preparedness Resilience and Response. His contributions extend to the media, where he has been featured in Esquire magazine’s list of the UK’s 100 Most Influential Men Under 40 and authored “Extreme Medicine: How Exploration Transformed Medicine in the Twentieth Century.”

Dr. Fong’ was awarded as Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2019 Birthday Honours for his services to medicine and healthcare. His life and work exemplify a profound commitment to improving human health through innovation, education, and public engagement.