July 31, 1998

Ann Hutchison
Johnson Space Center, Texas
(281/483-5111)

Release: J98-33

Astronaut Dave Williams To Lead Space & Life Sciences Effort

Astronaut Dafydd "Dave" Rhys Williams, M.D., of the Canadian Space Agency, has been named Director of the Space and Life Sciences Directorate at the Johnson Space Center.

Williams, an experienced astronaut and specialist in emergency medicine, has a master’s degree in physiology and a doctorate in medicine from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He was selected as an astronaut by the Canadian Space Agency in June 1992 and held a variety of positions there before being named to NASA’s astronaut class of 1995.

"Dr. Williams’ clinical experience as a physician, combined with his operational knowledge of space flight, provides him with unique insight into the work we do here," said George W. S. Abbey, Director of the Johnson Space Center. "I am very pleased with his assignment to this important role."

Williams flew as a crewmember on the 16-day STS-90 Neurolab mission earlier this year, serving as an experiment operator and subject for more than 26 separate life sciences investigations focusing on how the nervous system adapts to microgravity. He remains on active flight status, eligible for future Shuttle assignments.

For additional information about Williams, or any astronaut, see the NASA Internet biography home page at URL: http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/

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