A Conversation with James Chappell, CEO, SCBIO
July 5, 2022
In November of 2021, SCBIO named James Chappell as the organization’s new President and Chief Executive Officer. South Carolina life sciences has seen a near-doubling of firms and 40% increase in life sciences’ direct employment since 2017, which combine to make it the fastest growing industry sector in the state. Strategy? How do you continue that momentum over the next five years?
Life sciences has a $26 billion economic impact in the Palmetto State, with more than 1,030 firms involved and over 87,000 professionals employed in the research, development and commercialization of innovative healthcare, medical device, industrial, environmental, and agricultural biotechnology products. It represents a significant economic development focus for South Carolina.
Dr Chappell earned his B.S. and M.S. in Plant Environmental Sciences from Clemson University, his Ph.D. from Louisiana State University, and a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Stem Cell Biology focusing on cancer and diabetes from Harvard Medical School. A three-year varsity football letterman while at Clemson, he is married with two children.
