Ricky Schlussel is a research fellow at the Center for Mindfulness and Compassion, where he works with teams exploring the neural correlates of meditation.

He previously served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, and later as a test engineer at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, in the Lunar Development and Test Facility. Ricky holds bachelor’s degrees in Physics and Philosophy from Emory University and an M.S. in Space Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University. He spent several years engaged in intensive meditation practice in Buddhist monasteries across East Asia.

Outside of research, Ricky enjoys thunderstorms, looking at the stars, autumn foliage, and laughing.