Meet: Tom Dreschel, Ph.D.
Science Education Director for Life Sciences
Kennedy Space Center
"Enthusiasm
is one of the most powerful engines of success, when you do a thing,
do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with
your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful,
and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever accomplished
without enthusiasm." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Who I Am and
What I Do
My current position is Science Education
Director for Life Sciences at Kennedy Space Center but during my years
at KSC since 1983, I have been involved in the environmental monitoring
of launch effects, the preparing of experiments for the space shuttle,
and conducting ground research for advanced life support, to extend
the time that humans can live in space. I consider biology, environmental
chemistry, and science education my areas of expertise.
What I really like about my job is
my work is quite varied and continues to be very interesting. In addition,
I teach a college-level biology course part-time, which I enjoy immensely.
I enjoy being able to work outdoors, in the laboratory, and to interact
with fellow scientists and educators. I have been fortunate to do quite
a bit of traveling in my job, which I enjoy as well, and to make friends
in foreign lands.
What I like least, like many, are attending
meetings.
Education and
Career Path
I decided that I wanted to pursue biology
as a career when I was a senior in high school. I received my B.S. in
biological sciences from the University of Illinois, my M.A. in zoology
from the Southern Illinois University, an Ed.S. in science education
(environmental science) from Florida Institute of Technology and my
Ph.D. in science education (Environmental Science) from Florida Institute
of Technology.
My career path went as follows:
-
Food Chemist: 1975-1976
-
Coal and Petroleum Chemist: 1976-1978
-
Teaching Assistant and Graduate
Student: 1978-1980
-
Limnologist and Environmental
Chemist: 1980-1983
-
Environmental Chemist/Biologist:
1983-1995
-
Science Education Coordinator:
1995-1999
-
Fundamental Biology Outreach
Program Director: 2000
Advice to Students
"If
a man advances confidently in the direction of his dreams and endeavors
to life a life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unseen
in common hours." Henry David Thoreau
Obtain a broad-based education and
be willing to take on tasks that others may shy away from. Keep an open
mind about what you are able and would like to do.
Personal and
Growing Up
I grew up on the southwest side of
Chicago, in a neighborhood within walking distance of Chicago Midway
Airport. I attended Louis Pasteur Elementary School through 8th grade.
I then attended Gurdon S. Hubbard High School, where I developed my
strong interest in biology, and also participated in track and football.
My Advanced Biology teacher in high school really cultivated my interest
in biology. I attended the University of Illinois, in Chicago, for my
undergraduate studies and during that time I worked as a cook and night
manager for a "Heap-Big Beef" fast food restaurant. Later, during my
undergraduate studies, I left that job to be a janitor, cleaning office
buildings and industrial laboratories.
During my teen years, I spent summers
in north Georgia with cousins, fishing and just hanging out. Those were
some of the most enjoyable times that I can remember from my youth.
My uncle kept an excellent garden and we would go there and eat sweet
corn right off the stalk, and break open and eat watermelons right there
in the garden. To a kid who lived in the big city, this was heavenly!
As an adult, some of my personal interests
and hobbies are reading science fiction and mysteries, watching old
movies, listening to 60's music, surfing the web, fishing, and spending
time with my family.
My Family
My family currently resides in Titusville,
Florida, which is just across the Indian River Lagoon from the Kennedy
Space Center.
I have been married since 1978 and
my wife's name is Karen. My children are Kate, born in 1985, and Rob,
born in 1988. Both my children are quite musical (unlike their father).
Kate plays the piano and trumpet and Rob plays the guitar, drums and
the trumpet. We have a dog, Nelly and a cat, Midnight, both black. They
do not really get along, but instead just tolerate each other.
We enjoy spending our vacations with
relatives, particularly fishing/boating vacations.
Future Plans
I currently teach college level courses
part-time. I plan to continue this and try and find a way to combine
teaching, outreach, and research to keep my job varied. Ultimately,
I would like to conduct research and education programs on International
Space Station Alpha. Personally, my goal is to see that my children
achieve their goals and lead happy and productive lives.
"Imagination
is more important than knowledge." Albert Einstein
Read
my bio from the Challenge project
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