Biochemist/Astrochemist
1 January 1947
He married his wife, Rosemary Phillips, in 1947. Later, Chappelle attended Phoenix College on the GI Bill and earned an associate's degree in electrical engineering.
1 January 1950
Emmett Chappelle earned his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1950. Later, he pursued graduate studies at the University of Washington, where he received his Master's degree in biology in 1954.
2 October 1970
One impactful event in Emmett Chappelle's life was his work at NASA, where he developed methods for detecting life on other planets. His research contributed to the development of the first successful experiments to test for signs of life on Mars during NASA's Viking missions in the 1970s. This work significantly advanced our understanding of astrobiology and paved the way for future exploration of extraterrestrial life.
22 October 1971
Chappelle's groundbreaking work in the 1960s and 1970s involved developing methods to detect life in extraterrestrial environments using bioluminescence. His research had profound implications for astrobiology and the search for life beyond Earth.
26 October 1972
Chappelle's research extended beyond astrobiology to include medical applications. He developed methods for measuring glucose levels in biological samples, which contributed to the development of portable glucose meters for diabetes management. His work had a direct impact on improving healthcare and quality of life for millions of people worldwide
1 November 2007