Science grad Charles-Philippe Lajoie is a step closer to becoming an astronaut.

Lajoie, who earned his PhD from McMaster in 2010, is among just 17 finalists for the Canadian Space Agency’s two new astronaut jobs.

The CSA’s search for new astronauts began with more than 3,700 candidates nearly a year ago. The field has been narrowed by a battery of medical, mental and physical tests.

Lajoie is an astronomical optics scientist who works on the James Webb Space Telescope, a project led by the Canadian Space Agency, NASA and the European Space Agency.

“As a kid growing up with images of the Hubble Space Telescope and the Apollo missions, becoming an astronaut has always been a dream, albeit one I knew is hard to reach,” said Lajoie. “I also love pushing my limits and seeking new challenges and adventures, and I have always regarded an astronaut career as the embodiment of such a lifestyle. Now, with this opportunity to further Canada’s space program and contribute to taking humankind back to the Moon and to Mars, I can only be grateful that another of my dreams might come true.”

Lajoie and the other 16 candidates will continue training until the Canadian Space Agency announces the names of the new astronauts later this summer.

McMaster Science grad Charles-Philippe Lajoie, back, far right.