Kevin Fong on medical planning for Mars and Earth-based emergencies

The Life Scientific

BBC

Technology, Personal Journals, Society & Culture, Science

4.6 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 15 July 2025

⏱️ 29 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

There can't be many people in the world who've saved lives in hospital emergency rooms and also helped care for the wellbeing of astronauts in space – but Kevin Fong’s career has followed a singular path: from astrophysics and trauma medicine, to working with NASA, to becoming an Air Ambulance doctor.

Kevin is a consultant anaesthetist and professor of public engagement and innovation at University College London. He’s worked on the front line in hospitals, dealing with major incidents and helping shape policy; but he's also stayed true to his childhood passion for space, working on multiple projects with NASA and even going through the astronaut application process himself. As if that wasn’t enough, he’s also become a well-known figure in science broadcasting through his various radio and TV shows.

Speaking to Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Kevin admits it hasn't always been an easy path – but his passion for both space and medicine have got him through. And today, he's channelling his energies into ensuring we protect the NHS's most precious commodity: its staff.

Presented by Jim Al-Khalili Produced by Lucy Taylor

This programme was a BBC Studios Audio prouction for Radio 4.

Transcript

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0:30.4	You're about to listen to the latest series of the Life Scientific.
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0:47.9	BBC Sounds, music, radio, podcasts. Hello, my guest today describes himself as a sort of Doctor Who figure, who's
0:57.0	been lucky enough to enjoy multiple career reinventions. I don't know how much luck comes into it,
1:02.7	but with a CV that runs from astrophysics and trauma medicine to working with NASA,
1:08.7	becoming a helicopter emergency doctor, and presenting award-winning science programmes,
1:13.7	you do start to wonder whether there might be some time travel involved just to fit everything in.
1:19.1	Kevin Fong is a consultant, anaesthetist and professor of public engagement and innovation at University College London.
1:25.9	During his career, he's worked on the front line in hospitals,
1:28.9	dealing with major incidents and helping shape policy. But Kevin's also stayed true to his
1:34.1	childhood passion for space, working on multiple projects with NASA and even going through
1:39.1	the astronaut application process himself. And as if that wasn't enough, he's also become a well-known figure
	...

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