In Memoriam

Evgeny Vaschillo, Associate Research Professor, Cardiac Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Health, and the Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies, passed away on November 21^st, 2020 following a brief illness. Dr. Vaschillo obtained a master’s degree in electromechanical engineering from the Leningrad State University of Aerospace Instrumentation, and a Ph.D. in human and animal physiology at the Scientific Research Institute for Experimental Medicine, Russia. His early work in Russia developed physiological methods to evaluate and control functional states of the “human-operator” in extreme environmental conditions, with applications to cosmonaut crews, submarine crews, and elite athletic teams. Prior to joining Rutgers in 1999, he directed the Physiological Data Laboratory at the NASA Regional Applications Center at Florida International University in Miami, FL. Dr. Vaschillo authored more than 100 scientific papers and was granted the Distinguished Scientist Award by the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback in 2018 for a lifetime of significant contributions to the field. His unique engineering approach and methods generated breakthrough ideas in the area of psychophysiology. He pioneered the use of resonance frequency breathing and heart rate variability biofeedback. His life’s work was instrumental in laying the scientific foundation for this exploding research area as well as the development of new treatments for health disorders as diverse as asthma, anxiety, depression, hypertension, and substance use disorders. We were fortunate to benefit from Dr. Vaschillo’s brilliant and diverse scientific achievements. He was known not only for his scientific mind but also his generous spirit, sharing graciously of his time and talent to help students and fellow scientists at the university. He has left us an internationally renowned legacy of theoretical and clinical contributions in the area of psychophysiology which will live on through his grateful colleagues and mentees.