Dr. Schnell came to the NDSU campus in August 1985 when he was named Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. He assumed the duties of interim Vice President in 1995, and was named Vice President in 1997. In August 2002, Dr. Schnell was named Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs. Schnell previously served as chair of the Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. He also was the chief of toxicology at the U.S. Army's Fort Baker from 1969 to 1971.
Schnell earned a bachelors of science degree in pharmacy at South Dakota State University in 1965. He earned a master's in 1967 and a doctorate in 1969 in pharmacology/toxicology from Purdue University.
Schnell's research publications include 74 journal articles, six review manuscripts, 66 abstracts, 12 invited presentations, four books or book chapters, and seven book reviews. He has served as a member of three editorial boards, as an associate editor, and as a reviewer for 20 scientific journals.
Schnell and his wife, Carolyn, have two grown children and live in Fargo.