Dr. Darlene Lim - Keynote Speaker

Dr. Darlene Lim is an example for all young leaders who dare to dream the 'big' dream.  A researcher, science enthusiast and one of a select few Canadians who was chosen to participate in the NASA/SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Haughton-Mars Project, Dr. Lim hopes to - one day - travel to Mars!

Born in Kingston , Ontario , Canada but grew up in Edmonton , Alberta where she began her passionate appreciation for the outdoors. Lim completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Queen's University in Kingston in 1994, and began graduate school in 1996, completing her Masters of Science in Geology at the University of Toronto in 1998 (the same year she obtained her private pilot's license). ‘On the side', Lim runs road races, and this past summer started training for and competing in triathlons. She has also recently fallen in love with surfing.

Dr. Lim is frequently asked to provide her expert opinion on Mars analog research and the future of Mars exploration in general. In addition to her numerous speaking requests, Dr. Lim has been interviewed on various television and radio programs (including Discovery Channel, CBC Newsworld, CBC Radio, Space: The Imagination Station, BBC Worldnews and CTV's Canada AM) and has also appeared on several Mars-related documentaries.