Dr. Rick Chappell

 

At Vanderbilt University, Dr. Chappell is a Research Professor of Physics, involved in teaching and research and directs the office of Science and Research Communications, which is responsible for communicating Vanderbilt's research to the nation.

In September 1996, Chappell joined the First Amendment Center as a Visiting Professional Scholar to conduct a joint project with Visiting Professional Scholar Jim Hartz examining the media' s portrayal and coverage of news related to science and technology. The resulting book, "Worlds Apart: How the Distance Between Science and Journalism Threatens America's Future" was released in March 1998.

As associate director for science at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama (1987-1997), he served as the chief scientist for the center. He advised the center director on all science and university programs while maintaining interaction with leading scientists throughout the world. He has directed research in solar terrestrial physics and has been a principal investigator on several satellite missions.

Prior to joining NASA in 1974, he was a research and staff scientist with the Lockheed Missiles and Space Company, where he conducted investigations of the earth's space plasma environment.

From 1976 to 1985, Chappell was the mission scientist for Spacelab 1, a joint European/American shuttle mission that conducted investigations in material sciences, life sciences, space physics, earth observations and astronomy. In December 1985, he was selected to train as an alternate payload specialist for the space shuttle mission STS-45, which was carried out in March 1992.

From May 1994 to May 1995, Chappell worked with Vice President Al Gore to create the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program, an innovative K-12 science/education program involving students around the world. In 1989 he co-founded the Aspen Global Change Institute with John Denver's Windstar Foundation.

As a scientist and spokesman for the space program, Chappell has been interviewed on NBC's Today Show, ABC's Nightline and the BBC. He has also provided color commentary on CNN for space shuttle missions and created the von Braun Exploration Forum to link the space program to the public.

Chappell graduated magna cum laude in physics from Vanderbilt University and received a Ph.D. degree in space science from Rice University. He has authored more than 150 published scientific articles and has served on numerous advisory committees for NASA and for the National Science Academy of Sciences. He has testified before Congress on the importance of communicating science to the public. Chappell is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and has twice received the NASA Medal for Exceptional Scientific Achievement (1981 & 1984). At his retirement from NASA In 1997 he was presented the NASA Medal for Exceptional Service.