Meet: John Charles
Cardiovascular Physiologist, Ph.D.
Johnson Space Center
Einstein
won the Nobel Prize for his research not on relativity (the committee
didn't understand it), but on the photo-electric effect. But no one predicted
at that time the variety of uses of the photoelectric effect -- from laser
beans to TV remote controls and grocery store door openers! So it is with
scientific research today; just as we cannot predict the ultimate use
of any development, so we should not insist that scientists justify their
research by predicting how it will be used -- such predictions are almost
always wrong, or at least overly simplistic.
Who I am and What I do
I am a cardiovascular physiologist, which is a scientist
who studies how the heart and blood vessels work in normal and unusual
circumstances. I specialize in the effects of space flight (especially
weightlessness and also high gravity loads) on human cardiovascular functioning.
I am working as a mission scientist on STS-107
(NOT a mission specialist/astronaut) and am responsible for most of the
NASA-sponsored experiments flying on a 16-day mission of Columbia, coming
up this summer. This is in preparation for more complex studies on the
ISS.
I am also the NASA lead for the Bioastronautics Critical
path Roadmap Project - one of the organizers of NASA's planning for how
to answer the important questions relating to astronaut's health on long
space flights, such as to the Moon, to Mars, etc.
Being involved in the space program where the future
is being decided, and having a role in it is what I like best about my
work. What I like least is that things are not happening fast enough!
Education and Career Path
I focused my education to get where I am today --
a bachelor's degree in biophysics from Ohio State; a Ph.D. in physiology
and biophysics from University of Kentucky; and then a post-doctoral fellowship
here at Johnson Space Center in the cardiovascular lab. Later, as a government
employee, I ran the cardiovascular lab for several years. Now I am more
into "facilitating" the research of others on the shuttle and the ISS,
and planning future activities.
My advice to students pursuing careers in this area
(or any area), is the usual -- study hard in school, stay healthy, and
develop interests that broaden your outlook on life -- not just science,
math, and computers, but also music, literature, philosophy, history,
etc.
Personal and Growing Up
I was born in Rockdale, Texas. I attended Rockdale
Elementary School, until age 10, when my family moved to Massena New York.
In NY, I attended Massena Junior High, then Massena Central High School.
At age 17, we moved to Upper St. Clair (near Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania,
where I attended Upper St. Clair High School. I started college at Penn
State University, McKeesport campus, then graduated from Ohio State University
- Columbus, Ohio. I then attended grad school at University of Kentucky
- Lexington.
In 1962, when I was about seven years old, I would
go out at recess and lay on my back with my legs up on a handrail and
pretend I was John Glenn launching into space. In 1998, I got a chance
to work with John Glenn on his shuttle flight. He was one of my inspirations
and role models.
I initially became interested in space flight and
biology when I was 10 years old. I wanted to be an astronaut early in
life, though later focused on scientific research in space.
As a kid, I liked to read science books, and science
fiction -- especially Arthur. C. Clarke, Joe Haldeman, and Isaac Asimov.
I now live in the area known as Clear Lake City, about
20 miles south of Houston, Texas, and about four miles from the NASA Johnson
Space Center.
My wife's name is Kathy, and she is a hair stylist.
My 12-year-old son, Brian, lives near Buffalo, New York with his mom.
Kathy's 13-year-old daughter lives in Colorado Springs, with her dad and
stepmom. Kathy's 20-year-old son lives in San Marcos, Texas. Kathy and
I share the house with our two retired greyhounds -- Boots (about nine
years old), and Rita (about four years old).
I am interested in travel, hiking, reading (history,
science, biography), and researching and writing about space flight.
Future Plans and Goals
I plan to keep at it until we send people to Mars, or at
least the Moon! Also, I research and publish articles on the "ancient
history" of space flight, like the Apollo program, and I enjoy doing that,
too.
"We
shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time."
-- "Little Gidding" T.S.Elliott
Additional Quest bio for 1996 Shuttle/Mir
Online Research Experience.
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