January 21, 1998
Contact: Elizabeth Latt
615-322-2706
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January 21, 1998 Contact: Elizabeth Latt 615-322-2706 |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Charles Rick Chappell, former chief scientist at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, has joined Vanderbilt's Media Relations Division as director of science and research communications.
Chappell will work with faculty, staff and students to develop broader public understanding of Vanderbilt's basic science and technology research through the media and other venues. He also holds a faculty appointment in the Department of Physics, where he will work to develop a new interdisciplinary course of study for undergraduates in the communication of science, engineering and technology.
"Effectively communicating Vanderbilt's science and technology is one of our highest priorities," said Michael J. Schoenfeld, vice chancellor for media relations. "Rick is a world-class researcher who has spent his career making science more accessible to the public. In this new position, he will help us develop a higher profile for the truly important research that takes place in the physical and life sciences, engineering and the
Medical Center."
Chappell has spent the last year as a visiting professional scholar at The Freedom Forum First Amendment Center where, along with former NBC News anchor Jim Hartz, he studied the media's portrayal of news related to science and technology. Their study, "Worlds Apart--How the Distance Between Science and Journalism Threatens America's Future," will be published this month.
"Knowledge of science and technology is a critically important need in our country," said Chappell. "I look forward to helping extend Vanderbilt's already excellent heritage in the sciences to more and larger audiences. We can also play a pivotal national role in training the science communicators of tomorrow."
As associate director for science at NASA's Huntsville, Ala., facility, Chappell oversaw a number of basic research programs. He has also directed research in solar terrestrial physics and served as a principal investigator on several satellite missions.
Before coming to The First Amendment Center, Chappell worked with Vice President Gore to create the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program, an innovative K-12 science education program.
Chappell joined the space agency in 1974. From 1976 to 1985, he was mission
scientist for Spacelab I, a joint European-American shuttle mission. Chappell also trained as an alternate payload specialist for space shuttle mission STS-45, which was launched in 1992. As a scientist and spokesman for the space program, he has been interviewed extensively by the media and provided color commentary on CNN for space shuttle missions.
A 1965 graduate of Vanderbilt, Chappell received a Ph.D. degree in space sciences from Rice University. He is the author of more than 150 published scientific articles.
-VU-
Vanderbilt University is a private research university of approximately
5,900 undergraduates and 4,300 graduate and professional students. Founded
in 1873, the University comprises 10 schools, a public policy institute,
a distinguished medical center and The Freedom Forum First Amendment Center.
Vanderbilt offers undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences,
education and human development, engineering and music, and a full range
of graduate and professional degrees.
For more news about Vanderbilt, visit the News and Public Affairs home page
on the Internet at http://www.vanderbilt.edu/News.