Dr. Shappell is currently a Professor and Chair of the Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Before joining the faculty at ERAU in the fall of 2012, Dr. Shappell was professor of Industrial Engineering at Clemson University from 2005-2012. Before that, he was the Human Factors Research Branch Manager at the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute. In addition, he has served nearly 20 years (11 years on active duty) in the U.S. Navy as an Aerospace Experimental Psychologist. During his time in the US Navy, Dr. Shappell served as the Human Factors Branch Chief at the U.S. Naval Safety Center and as a human factors accident investigation consultant for the Joint Service Safety Chiefs.

He has published/presented well over 200 papers, books, and presentations in the fields of accident investigation, system safety, behavioral stressors, sustained operations and fatigue. While noted for his work in aviation, Dr. Shappell has been involved in a variety of industries including petrochemical industry, forensic science, mining, and medicine. Dr. Shappell received a B.S. in psychology (1983) from Wright State University graduating Summa Cum Laude with honors in psychology and followed with a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Texas Medical Branch in 1990. Dr. Shappell is a fellow of the Aerospace Medical Association, fellow and past-president of the Aerospace Human Factors Association; fellow of the American Psychological Association and past-president of Division 21 - Applied Experimental and Engineering Psychology, past-secretary/treasurer of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, and fellow of the American Heart Association.