EAN
EPPLER
DEAN
EPPLER
Where do you live? Houston, TX
Where
did you go to school?
BS,
St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY, 1974;
MS, University of New
Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 1976;
PhD, Arizona State University,
Tempe, AZ, 1984
What did you study? Geology
What courses prepared you for your job? All my geology courses, as well as the experience doing geologic field work all over the world
What do you do for work? Test advanced planetary spacesuits, develop Earth science payload opportunities for International Space Station, develop the science program for NASA's Exploration Program
What do you do for fun? Fly airplanes, do aerobatics, ride horses, cook, work out
Why do you work at NASA? It's the most fun you can have and still get paid
How did you get your job here? I was asked by my management to come here in 1990...I jumped at the chance, having worked here before briefly as a student.
What is your role in Desert RATS? Primary suit test subject
Why is your job important? The kinds of things I do, field geology, are what we'll be doing on the Moon and Mars. I'm one of the people that makes sure that when we hand the spacesuits to the astronauts, they'll be able to do what we ask of them, without problems because the spacesuit doesn't work well.
What do you like about your job? I have an influence on things the space program will do for the next thirty years...it's the next best thing to immortality...
Why do you think Desert RATS is important? We're taking the development out of the lab, which is relatively easy, and putting it in the field, where we'll have to do the work in the future.
Any other information that you would like to share with the students? Work hard, but have fun, too! You can spend your life doing something you don't like to do, but you can also spend it doing what you like to do...all you have to do is make the choice, and then work hard to make it happen.
Any advice for the students? Learn to write well, learn to speak in front of people, find something to do that you like and have fun doing it!