I wanted to work in space ever since I was a kid growing up on a farm looking up at the night sky.

I now help lead Canada's efforts in exploring the solar system.

I work with our international partners to develop and fly planetary science missions, find opportunities for our industry to build and operate instruments in space, and help train the next generation of science leaders.

Professional

Canadian Space Agency
2020, 2021                 Manager (acting) - Planetary Science and Space Astronomy Missions
2014-present              Senior Mission Scientist - Planetary Exploration
2011-2014                    Research Scientist
2010-2011                    NSERC Visiting Fellow

European Space Agency (Secondment)
2020-present Mars Strategic Program Scientist - Human & Robotic Exploration

Education

PhD (Dr. & Mrs. Milton Leung Fellow of Science)
2010 McGill University
"Interpreting polygonal terrain network arrangements on Earth and Mars using spatial point patterns "

MSc (Dean's Honors)
2005 McGill University
"Three-dimensional numerical modeling of flow dynamics and investigation of temporal scour hole development around paired stream deflectors in a laboratory flume"

BSc (Honors with Great Distinction, Bogdan Zaborski Medalist)
2002 Concordia University
"The influence of bed roughness on the structure of a three-dimensional numerically modeled flow field: a sensitivity analysis"

Mars Sample Return: Science & Operations

Mars Sample Return Science Planning Group 2 (MSPG-2)
2020-present Leadership Team Member
Chair: Science Management

Mars Sample Return Science Planning Group (MSPG)
2019 Team Member
Co-Lead: Science Management

International Mars Architecture for the Return of Samples 2 (iMARS-2)
2014-2016 Lead Author
Co-Chair: Science & Earth Operations Team

International Exploration Planning Bodies

International Mars Exploration Working Group
2018-present           Canadian Lead
2019-present           Analogues Team Co-Lead
2016-2018                Participant

International Space Exploration Coordination Group
2018-present Science Working Group
2012-2020 Analogues Action Team

ESA Exploration and Utilisation Board for Human Spaceflight, Microgravity, and Exploration
2018-present Canadian Delegate

Awards & Recognition

International Astronautical Federation: Asteroid Dedication

2016 130066 timhaltigin (1999 VK193)

Team Achievement Awards
2020                       CSA President's Gold Medal
2018, 2019              CSA Director's Award
2017                         NASA Silver Achievement Award of Excellence
                                 NASA Group Achievement Award
2016                         CSA Award of Excellence
2015                         CSA Award of Recognition

Academic Awards
2010                          NSERC Visiting Fellowship in a Government Laboratory
2007                         Dr. & Mrs. Milton Leung Major Fellowship in Science
                                  Eben Hopson Fellowship in Arctic Studies
2006                         NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship - A
                                  NSERC CSA Supplement
2005                         Dean's Honors, MSc Thesis
2004                         Warren Fellowship in GIS
2004                         ESA Aurora Student Fellowship
                                  Outstanding Student Paper, Canadian Geophysical Union
2002                         Bogdan Zaborski Medal in Geography