Paula S. Apsell

{{Infobox person

| name = Paula S. Apsell

| image = PAULA wiki.tif

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| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1947|07|04}}

| birth_place = Lynn, Massachusetts

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| nationality = American

| other_names = Paula Schwartz Apsell

| occupation = Executive producer, NOVA

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Paula S. Apsell (born July 4, 1947) is the television Executive Producer Emerita of PBS's NOVA and was director of the WGBH Science Unit.

Among Apsell's signature award-winning NOVA productions are "The Elegant Universe" with Dr. Brian Greene,{{Cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/video/the-elegant-universe-part-1/|title=The Elegant Universe|website=PBS |date=28 October 2003 }} "Einstein's Big Idea"{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-oct-11-et-einstein11-story.html|title=Witnessing the acts of geniuses|date=2005-10-11|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2019-05-25|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}} narrated by John Lithgow, and "Rx for Survival" in conjunction with Vulcan Productions.{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-nov-01-et-survival1-story.html|title=PBS' real-life medical drama|date=2005-11-01|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2019-05-25|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}

Apsell is widely considered among the most influential journalists in science communications and education in the U.S. and abroad.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}

Early life

On July 4, 1947, Apsell was born in Lynn, Massachusetts.{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0032530/ |title=Paula Apsell |publisher=IMDb |access-date=October 24, 2018}} Apsell grew up in Marblehead, Massachusetts and graduated from Marblehead High School.{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/who-is-this-woman/|title=Who is this Woman?|website=blogs.timesofisrael.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-26}} Her father, David Schwartz, was a navigator in World War II and her mother, Evelyn, opened the first consignment clothing store in Massachusetts. Her grandfather was a cobbler and an immigrant from Kiev.

Education

In 1969, Apsell graduated from Brandeis University with a degree in psychology.{{Cite web|url=https://www.brandeis.edu/now/2018/september/apsell-emmy-nova.html|title=Legendary science journalist Paula Apsell '69 honored with Lifetime Achievement Emmy|website=BrandeisNOW|language=en|access-date=2019-05-25}}

In 1983-84, MIT awarded her the Vannevar Bush Fellowship in the Public Understanding of Science. She studied evolutionary biology, and health policy among other topics.

Apsell received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Southern Methodist University "for her central role in enhancing public understanding of science"{{Cite web|url=https://sites.smu.edu/des/registrar/HonoraryDegrees/?a=bio&pid=7&name=Paula%20Apsell|title=SMU Honorary Degrees|website=sites.smu.edu|access-date=2019-05-25}} and another from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.{{Cite web|last1=Boyer|first1=Lauren|last2=Patriot-News|first2=The|date=2010-04-29|title=Newsweek editor to speak at Dickinson College graduation May 23|url=https://www.pennlive.com/midstate/2010/04/newsweek_editor_to_speak_at_di.html|access-date=2020-09-11|website=pennlive|language=en}}

Career

Apsell's career began in broadcasting at WGBH.{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/about/apse.html |title=NOVA - Senior Executive Producer |publisher=PBS |date=August 13, 2015 |access-date=October 24, 2018}}

Apsell is an executive producer and film director.

Paula Apsell began her broadcasting career right out of college at Boston's WGBH station when she was hired to type and distribute the stations daily program logs. Within a year she was hired at WGBH radio where she developed the award-winning children's series "The Spiders Web." She also served as an on-air newsreader and statehouse reporter for WGBH radio.

In 1975, Apsell switched over to WGBH-TV as a production assistant for NOVA's second season. One of Apsell's first productions was NOVA "Death of a Disease" which was the first long-form documentary on the eradication of smallpox. In the late 1970s Apsell was producing documentaries on artificial intelligence and genetic engineering; topics that rarely existed in the mainstream prior to the 21st century.

In 1981, Apsell went to Boston's ABC affiliate, WCVB, and was a producer for medical correspondent Dr. Timothy Johnson. At WCVB, Apsell produced "Someone I Once Knew," a groundbreaking program essentially introducing the story of Alzheimer's disease and dementia into the public sphere.

Apsell was asked to take over the top post at NOVA in 1985 where she remained for the three-and-a-half decades. Among Apsell's most notable NOVA's include "The Miracle of Life" sequel "Life's Greatest Miracle," "The Fabric of the Cosmos" with Brian Greene, and "Making North America" with Dr. Kirk Johnson. Other of Apsell's acclaimed productions are the giant-screen films "Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure" and "Special Effects" which was nominated for an Academy Award.

In 2005, Apsell launched a NOVA spin-off series, NOVAScienceNow hosted first by Dr. Neil De Grasse Tyson and later by technology journalist David Pogue.

In 2011, in addition to overseeing the NOVA franchise, Apsell taught science communications at the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics at the University of California Santa Barbara.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kitp.ucsb.edu/outreach/writer-in-residence/paula-s-apsell|title=Paula S. Apsell {{!}} KITP|website=www.kitp.ucsb.edu|access-date=2019-05-26}}

In October 2018, Paula Apsell received the Lifetime Achievement Emmys Award from the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences.{{Cite web|url=https://emmyonline.tv/paula-s-apsell-to-receive-lifetime-achievement-award/|title=Paula S. Apsell, Senior Executive Producer of NOVA, to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award – The Emmys|website=emmyonline.tv|date=24 July 2018 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-27}} Apsell is the first science journalist to receive this award.

On May 21, 2019, WGBH announced that Apsell would be named Senior Executive Producer Emerita. WGBH also announced an annual scholarship in her name in recognition of Apsell's career achievements in science broadcasting, communication, and education. The Paula S. Apsell/WGBH STEM Boston Public School Scholarship will be granted to Boston public school students.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wgbh.org/foundation/press/novas-paula-apsell-named-senior-executive-producer-emerita|title=NOVA's Paula Apsell Named Senior Executive Producer Emerita|website=www.wgbh.org|access-date=2019-05-25}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2018/11/14/nova-senior-executive-producer-placed-on-leave|title=UPDATED: NOVA Executive Producer Placed On Leave For Violating Respectful Workplace Policy To Retire|website=www.wgbh.org|date=14 November 2018 |access-date=2019-05-28}} Following her departure from NOVA, Apsell became CEO of Leading Edge Productions and started producing The Resistance Project, a documentary about Jewish resistance to the Holocaust.{{cite web |url=https://stage.pme.uchicago.edu/node/154#overlay-context=advisory-board |title=Paula S. Apsell |author= |website=Scientists Technologists and Artists Generating Exploration |access-date=2021-06-23}}{{cite web |url=http://leadingedgeproductions.org/theresistanceproject/pdf/res.pdf |title=The Resistance Project |author= |website=Leading Edge Productions |access-date=2021-06-23}}

Apsell is a fellow at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and served a full term on the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History board.

Apsell is a public speaker,{{Cite web|url=https://speakerpedia.com/speakers/paula-apsell|title=Paula Apsell Speaker Bio}} moderator,{{Cite web|url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?436784-6/educational-public-broadcasting|title=Educational Uses of Public Broadcasting {{!}} C-SPAN.org|website=www.c-span.org|language=en-us|access-date=2019-05-27}} and lecturer{{Citation|last=Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics|title=Paula Apsell: The Art of Science Television|date=2017-01-04|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-M0k4HJpD0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/H-M0k4HJpD0 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|access-date=2019-05-27}}{{cbignore}} at WGBH member stations,{{Cite web|url=https://interactive.wttw.com/events/2013-10-08-230000/evening-david-pogue-and-paula-apsell|title=An Evening with David Pogue and Paula Apsell|date=2013-08-16|website=WTTW Chicago|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-28}} universities nationwide,{{Citation|title=A Conversation with NOVA's Paula Apsell {{!}} UNC-TV Science|url=https://www.pbs.org/video/unc-tv-science-conversation-novas-paula-apsell/|language=en|access-date=2019-05-28}} film and science festivals such as Sundance{{Cite web|url=http://www.sundance.org/pdf/press-releases/2013-01-17_Sloan_news_release_FINALpdf.pdf|title=Sundance Institute and Alfred P. Sloan Mark 10th Anniversary of Collaboration Sloan Panel and Jury Members for 2013 Sundance Film Festival Announced}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Clark+Gregg/Paula+S.+Apsell/ll+Mirror+Science+Ourselves+Panel+2011+Sundance/ayoLGQczE3x|title=I'll Be Your Mirror: The Science Of Ourselves Panel -2011 Sundance Film Festival}} and the Aspen Ideas Festival{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABAKb22Ytnc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/ABAKb22Ytnc |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Aspen Institute: Deadly Asteroids: Can We Spot Them in Time?|website=YouTube |date=25 July 2013 }}{{cbignore}}{{Citation|last=The Aspen Institute|title=Women at the Cutting Edge of Science: Why Should We Care?|date=2010-07-09|url=https://archive.org/details/Women_at_the_Cutting_Edge_of_Science_-_Why_Should_We_Care|language=English|access-date=2019-05-28}} and conferences such as TEDx.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBZqxGRR2Pc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/ZBZqxGRR2Pc |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=TEDxNewEngland {{!}} 11/01/11 {{!}} Paula Apsell with David Pogue, NOVA, The Fabric of the Cosmos|website=YouTube |date=December 2011 }}{{cbignore}}

Awards

1994 Boston Museum of Science Bradford Washburn Award for her career contributions to science journalism.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mos.org/washburn-award|title=Washburn Award {{!}} Museum of Science, Boston|website=washburn-award|language=en-us|access-date=2019-05-25}}
Carl Sagan Award given by the Council of Scientific Society Presidents
2007 Planetary Society's Cosmos Award{{Cite web|url=http://www.planetary.org/about/awards/cosmos-award/2007-honoree-paula-apsel.html|title=2007 Honoree Paula Apsel|website=www.planetary.org|language=en|access-date=January 30, 2020}}
International Documentary Association's Pioneer Award{{Cite web|url=https://www.documentary.org/feature/pioneer-award-executive-producer-exceptional-passion-paula-s-apsell|title=Pioneer Award: An Executive Producer with Exceptional Passion: Paula S. Apsell|date=2008-05-09|website=International Documentary Association|language=en|access-date=2019-05-25}}
Gold Baton, the highest honor of the annual Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards{{Cite web|url=http://www.columbia.edu/cu/newrec/2413/tmpl/story.5.html|title=Columbia University Record|website=www.columbia.edu|access-date=2019-05-25}}
Peabody Awards - "The Elegant Universe,"{{Cite web|url=http://peabodyawards.com/award-profile/nova-the-elegant-universe-with-brian-greene|title=NOVA: The Elegant Universe with Brian Greene|website=peabodyawards.com|language=en|access-date=2019-05-25}} "Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial,"{{Cite web|url=http://peabodyawards.com/award-profile/judgment-day-intelligent-design-on-trial|title=NOVA: Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial|website=peabodyawards.com|language=en|access-date=2019-05-25}} "Odyssey of Life"{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWeUxasFsOU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/jWeUxasFsOU |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Paula S. Apsell - Odyssey of Life - Peabody Award Acceptance Speech|website=peabodyawards.com|date=25 August 2015 |language=en|access-date=2019-05-25}}{{cbignore}}
2001 Emmy Award for NOVA's "BioTerror"{{Cite web|url=http://www.pbs.org/about/blogs/news/pbs-investigates-bioterror-past-present-and-future-in-two-specials-airing-tuesday-november-13-november-1-2001/|title=PBS Investigates Bioterror Past, Present and Future in Two Specials Airing Tuesday, November 13 {{!}} PBS About|website=PBS Investigates Bioterror Past, Present and Future in Two Specials Airing Tuesday, November 13 {{!}} PBS About|access-date=2019-05-25}}
Emmy Award - "Shackleton's Voyage of Endurance"
2002 Emmy Award - "Why the Towers Fell"
Emmy Award - "The Elegant Universe"
George Foster Peabody Award - "The Elegant Universe"
2005 Emmy Award - "Rx for Survival: A Global Health Challenge"
2009 Emmy Award in the Outstanding Informational Programming - "A Walk to Beautiful"
2014 Outstanding News & Documentary Emmy Award for Outstanding Science And Technology Programming.{{Cite web|url=http://emmyonline.com/news_35th_winners|title=WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 35th ANNUAL NEWS & DOCUMENTARY EMMY® AWARDS {{!}} The Emmy Awards - The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-25|archive-date=2019-05-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525233412/http://emmyonline.com/news_35th_winners|url-status=dead}}
2016 Prix Galien USA Award. Presented by Dr. Roy Vagelos.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pharmexec.com/paula-apsell-storied-life-science|title=Galien Award Present to Paula S. Apsell|publisher=pharmexec.com }}
2018 Lifetime Achievement Emmy which was presented by PBS president Paula Kerger{{Citation|last=The Emmy Awards|title=Lifetime Achievement Award Acceptance Speech Paula Apsell|date=2018-10-02|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt4oxfc9pSA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/mt4oxfc9pSA |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|access-date=2019-05-28}}{{cbignore}}

''NOVA'' programs

"Holocaust Escape Tunnel", 2016{{Cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/ctnow/hc-holocaust-escape-tunnel-discovery-on-pbs-20170418-story.html|title=UHart Prof's Discovery Of Holocaust Escape Tunnel Profiled On 'Nova'|last=CATLIN|first=ROGER|website=courant.com|date=18 April 2017 |access-date=2019-05-28}}

"D-Day’s Sunken Secrets", 2014{{Cite web|url=http://www.kpbs.org/news/2014/may/27/nova-d-days-sunken-secrets/|title=NOVA: D-Day's Sunken Secrets|last=Robinson|first=Jennifer|website=KPBS Public Media|date=27 May 2014 |language=en|access-date=2019-05-28}}

"Cold Case JFK", 2013{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/cold-case-jfk-review-minds-won-t-change-1.6407151|title='Cold Case JFK': Minds won't change|website=Newsday|language=en|access-date=2019-05-28}}

"Engineering Ground Zero", 2012

"Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial", 2008

"Origins: How Life Began", 2004 {{Cite web|url=https://www.paleycenter.org/collection/item/?q=see&p=257&item=100372|title=The Paley Center for Media|website=The Paley Center for Media|language=en|access-date=2019-05-28}}

"The Deadliest Plane Crash", 2006{{Cite web|url=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/space/deadliest-plane-crash.html|title=The Deadliest Plane Crash — NOVA {{!}} PBS|website=www.pbs.org|access-date=2019-05-28}}

"Galileo's Battle For The Heavens", 2002{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/tv/2002/10/27/galileos-battle-for-the-heavens/708e849f-dc0f-41cd-b62e-6b0e097055f3/|title='Galileo's Battle for the Heavens'|date=2002-10-27|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=2019-05-28|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}}

"Cracking the Code of Life"

"Building Big"

"Surviving AIDS", 2000 (AAAS Westinghouse Journalism Award)

"Siamese Twins", 1995

"Iceman", 1993

"Machine that Changed the World", 1992

"Miracle of Life", 1983

Personal life

Apsell's husband is Sheldon Apsell Ph.D., a physicist, executive of MicroLogic, Inc and a founder of Kronos. They have two daughters.

References

Addition sources

U.S. Public Records Index, Provo, UT
Boston Globe, Nov 25, 1985., pg. 37
Boston Globe, Nov 4, 1994., pg. 35
[http://www.brandeis.edu/publications/review/winspr2000/apsell.pdf Brandeis Review]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20060905171906/https://alumni.brandeis.edu/web/aassociation/awards/99awards.html Brandeis Alumni Society]