kxan.com, July 24, 2012

“This is a tremendous opportunity for UTMB,” said Dr. David L. Callender, president of UTMB. “We are no strangers to the ice, having operated there for the last decade, providing critical medical support on occasion. This new agreement represents an expansion of the work we’re already doing.”

Dr. Scott Parazynski, former NASA astronaut, will be the chief medical officer for the new Center for Polar Medical Operations at UTMB.

“Antarctica is the most remote and extreme place on earth to live and work,” said Parazynski. “It’s our responsibility and privilege to assure those who are traveling there are physically up to the challenge and have the medical support they need once they get there.”