DCoE Staff Profile: Navy Cmdr. Russell Shilling

April 24, 2009

Navy Cmdr. Russell Shilling, who is an aerospace experimental psychologist and scientific advisor for psychological health at DCoE, is an expert in the areas of experimental psychology, neuroscience, medical modeling and simulation, videogame technologies and hearing research.

Since DCoE began operating in November 2007, Shilling has helped direct funding into many traditional research areas as well as new research that evaluates the safety and efficacy of complementary and alternative medicine approaches. At the Office of Naval Research, Shilling initiated a program in 2004 to develop a clinician’s tool for using virtual reality to supplement existing treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder. At the heart of the program was the desire to provide a validated tool for clinicians to use to help guide patients through the therapy process. Part of the program’s philosophy was that there is no “onesize- fits-all” approach to psychological health treatment.

“The experience with the virtual reality therapy program and experience fostering various initiatives to develop ‘serious games’ for health care has definitely influenced my view of developing innovative technologies for new applications in the psychological health arena,” Shilling said.

Building on his innovative work in the field of psychological health, Shilling helped create the award-winning “Talk, Listen, Connect” educational outreach program with Sesame Workshop. The program, which premiered the second of three installments this month, uses Muppets and documentary footage to help children handle the multiple deployments of parents and cope with a parent’s physical and psychological injuries from combat.

“My thinking about family advocacy is also influenced by my two young children,” Shilling said. “Both are autistic; I spend a great deal of time thinking about how technology can be used to assist children with special needs as well as their parents – both inside and outside the military.”

“Outreach to military families is not only important to the family, but it is key to the overall health to the service member,” Shilling added. “ At DCoE, we recognize that when the service member feels their family is healthy and happy, their overall psychological health is bolstered.”