Dr Karrim is the founder of the International Centre for Astronautical development, a global scientific community dedicated to expanding Space medicine research and Space sector interest in under-represented regions of the world, through international co-operation.   She is a specialist ENT/Head and Neck Surgeon with 15 years of clinical, surgical, and management experience in South Africa, Ireland, the UK, and international waters. Her medical background spans ear, nose, and throat surgery; general surgery; trauma; emergency medicine; and maritime, aviation and space medicine. She is also trained in advanced trauma, cardiac and paediatric life support. She holds a master’s degree in medicine and two postgraduate diplomas in Aviation and Space medicine. She has completed the Space Studies Program at the International Space University, and the European Space Agency’s Space Physician Training course. She has also trained in altitude and hypoxia awareness, high-G exposure, pressure breathing, and sea-survival and egress at private and military facilities in the UK and the US. She has contributed to undergraduate and post-graduate education in RSA and the UK and is an Aerospace medicine lecturer at King’s College London.   She has previously been acknowledged as one of News24’s 100 Mandelas of the future, under the category of “Visionary”, for her role in developing a Space outreach program in rural Kwazulu Natal, and by InspiringFifty as one of the leading women in technology in SA.