Beth Schmid
Headquarters, Washington, DC               November 3, 1997
(Phone:  202/358-1760)

RELEASE:  97-252

NASA RESEARCHER RECEIVES PRESIDENTIAL EARLY CAREER AWARD

     Todd T. Schlegel, M.D., a research physician at NASA's 
Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, is among 60 young researchers 
to receive the second annual Presidential Early Career Award for 
Scientists and Engineers today at the White House.  This award is 
the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on 
outstanding scientists and engineers at the beginning of their 
careers.

     The Presidential Awards were established by President Clinton 
in February 1996 to recognize young scholars, their research 
contributions, their promise, and their commitment to broader 
societal goals.

     Schlegel's research will study the relationship between 
changes in vestibular function due to change in gravity and 
deficits in autonomic cardiovascular control.  His research may 
provide new information that will be important to the space 
program and to biomedical research for patients on Earth.

     Ten government agencies join together annually to nominate 
promising scientists and engineers for the awards.  Those selected 
receive up to $500,000 over a five-year period to further their 
research and to broadly advance science for important government 
missions.

     Schlegel earned his B.S. degree and M.D. from the University 
of Minnesota, Minneapolis/St. Paul, and completed his residency at 
the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, NY.  Since 1992, he has been a 
research physician at Johnson's Space Biomedical Research 
Institute, Cardiovascular Laboratory.


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