EDUCATION State University of New York Stony Brook Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, 1970
University of California at Davis Master of Arts in Psychology, 1973
University of California at Davis PhD in Psychology, 1973
RESEARCH AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Graduate Research Science Program, at the University of California at Davis, conducted at NASA/Ames Research Center 1971-1973
National Research Council Post-doctoral Associate, NASA Ames Research Center 1973-1975
Research Specialist, San Jose State University Foundation 1975-1977
Research Psychologist GS-14, Principal Investigator, Psychophysiological Laboratory 1978
Principal Investigator on Cooperative Agreement between NASA Ames Research Center and University of San Francisco, NCC2-115: Psychophysiological Investigations of the Biomedical Problems of Manned Space Flight. 1984-1993
Principal Investigator for Life Sciences Shuttle Flight Experiment: Autogenic-Feedback Training: A Method for Adaptation Syndrome. Launched on STS 51-B, January, and STS 51 C, May, 1985 1984-1987
Principal Investigator for Spacelab-J experiment: Autogenic-Feedback Training: A Preventive Method for Space Motion Sickness. Launched September 1992 1990-1993
Research Scientist GS14.9, Gravitational Research Branch, Life Science Division NASA, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California 1977-Present
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, UC Los Angeles 1991-2001
Acting Assistant Chief, Gravitational Research Branch, Life Sciences Division, NASA, ARC 1995
Adjunct Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering, University of Akron, Ohio 1997-Present
Adjunct Asstistant Professor of Medical/Clinical Psychology, F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland 1998-Present
MEMBERSHIPS IN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Aerospace Human Factors Association (AsHFA), Charter Fellow
Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA), Associate Fellow
American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Autonomic Society
American Psychological Society
Biofeedback Society of California
New York Academy of Sciences
Society for Psychophysiological Research
HONORS AND SPECIAL RECOGNITION
1976 Best aerospace medicine paper by a young investigator, 47th Annual Meeting of the Aerospace Medical Association, Space Medicine Branch
1977 NASA Individual Achievement Award, Spacelab Mission Development-III; First American woman to receive scientist astronaut training
1985 Ames Honors Award for Excellence in the category of Scientist
1988 Mid-Peninsula YWCA, Outstanding Black Woman of 1988
1989 Federal Women’s Program Award, presented by the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Command
1989 Candace Award for Science and Technology, presented by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women
1990 Innovative Research Award, Biofeedback Society of California
1991 Black United Fund of Texas Award: Achieving Against the Odds
1993 NASA Individual Achievement award, Principal Investigator of Flight experiment for Spacelab J
1993 NASA Incentive Award for Contributions to the development of biomedical flight hardware
1994 African-American Pioneer in Space Technologies Award. For contributions to aerospace technology and science, Maryland Space Grant Consortium
1994 Eleventh Annual Lectureship of the Society of Nuclear Medicine. “Neurophysiologic change occuring in astronauts and how they are measured”. June 5, 1994, Orlando, FL
1994 First Place, Society for Women Engineers/Ames Council for Women Award for best paper. “Autogenic-Feedback Training: Applications For Man in Space
1997 Black Engineer Of the Year Award. For outstanding technical contribution
1997 Technical Achievement Award for Advancements in Psychophysiology, National Society of Black Engineers, Alumni Extension, Silicon Valley Chapter
1997 U.S. Patent #5,964,939: Autogenic Feedback Training Exercise: Methods and System
1999 Ames Honor Award for Technology Development
2001 NASA Tech Brief Contributory Award: A Lightweight Ambulatory Physiological Monitoring System. NASA Tech Briefs 25 (1):48-49
2001 NASA Tech Brief Contributory Award: A Personal-Computer-Based Physiological Training System. NASA Tech Briefs 25 (2):34-35
2002

 NASA Space Act Award for invention
PUBLICATIONS
  1. Blizzard, D., Cowings, P. and Miller, N.E. (1975). Visceral responses to opposite types of Autogenic Training imagery. Biological Psychology, 3, 49-55. And in (Barber, T.X. et al. Eds.) Biofeedback and Self- Control, Chicago: Aldine Publishing Co. 1976.

  2. Cowings, P. S., Billingham, J. and Toscano, W. B. (1977) Learned control of multiple autonomic responses to compensate for the debilitating effects of motion sickness. Therapy in Psychosomatic Medicine, 4, 318-323. Also in (W. Luthe and F. Antonelli Eds.) Autogenic Methods: Application and Perspectives. Rome: Luigi Pozzi S.P.A., 1977. Also in (T.X. Barber, et al. Eds.), Biofeedback and Self-Control 1977/78. Chicago: Aldine Publishing Co., 1978. [NOTE: Awarded Best Paper by a Young Investigator, by the Space Medicine Branch of the Aerospace Medical Association. 47th Annual Meeting, Bal Harbor].

  3. Cowings, P.S. (1977). Observed differences in learning ability of heart rate self-regulation as a function of hypnotic susceptibility. Therapy in Psychosomatic Medicine, 4, 221-226. And in (W. Luthe and F. Antonelli, Eds.) Autogenic Methods: Application and Perspective. Rome: Luigi Pozzi S.P.A., 1977.

  4. Cowings, P.S. (1977). Combined use of Autogenic Therapy and biofeedback in training effective control of heart rate by humans. Therapy in Psychosomatic Medicine, 4, 167-173. And in (W. Luthe and F. Antonelli, Eds.) Autogenic Methods: Application and Perspective. Rome: Luigi Pozzi S.P.A., 1977.

  5. Cowings, P.S. and Toscano, W.B. (1977). A theory on the evolutionary significance of psychosomatic disease. Therapy in Psychosomatic Medicine, 4, 184-190. And in (W. Luthe and F. Antonelli, Eds.) Autogenic Methods: Application and Perspective. Rome: Luigi Pozzi S.P.A., 1977.

  6. Cowings, P.S. and Toscano, W.B. (1977). Psychosomatic health: Simultaneous control of multiple autonomic responses by humans - a training method. Therapy in Psychosomatic Medicine, 4, 184-190. And in (W. Luthe and F. Antonelli, Eds.) Autogenic Methods: Application and Perspective. Rome: Luigi Pozzi S.P.A., 1977.

  7. Stewart, J., Clark, B., Cowings, P. S. and Toscano, W. B. (1978). Learned regulation of autonomic responses to control Coriolis motion sickness: its effects on other vestibular functions. Proceedings of the 49th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Aerospace Medical Association, New Orleans, pp. 133-134.

  8. Toscano, W.B. and Cowings, P. S. (1978). Transfer of learned autonomic control for symptom suppression across opposite directions of Coriolis acceleration. Proceedings of the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Aerospace Medical Association, New Orleans, pp. 132- 133.

  9. Cowings, P. S. and Toscano, W. B. (1982). The Relationship of Motion Sickness Susceptibility to Learned Autonomic Control for Symptom Suppression. Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine. 53, (6), 570-575.

  10. Toscano, W.B. and Cowings, P.S. (1982). Reducing motion sickness: Autogenic- Feedback Training Compared to an Alternative Cognitive Task. Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine. 53, (5), 449-453.

  11. Finger, H.J., Edsinger, L., Weeks, W.A., Hedges, T.M., Cowings, P.S. and Luzzi, E. (1984). An ambulatory feedback system for space adaptation syndrome. Proceedings of the 37th Annual Conference on Engineering in Medicine and Biology (ACEMB), Los Angeles, Sept. 17- 19., Pp. 173.

  12. Cowings, P.S., Toscano, W.B., Kamiya, J., Miller, N.E. and Sharp, J.C. (1985). Autogenic-Feedback Training as a Preventive Method for Space Adaptation Syndrome. NASA Flight Experiment #3AFT23. Spacelab-3. Progress Report I. NASA Conference Publication #2429: Spacelab 3 Mission Science Review. Pp. 84-89.

  13. Cowings, P.S., Suter, S., Toscano, W.B., Kamiya, J. and Naifeh, K. (1986). General Autonomic Components of Motion Sickness. Psychophysiology, 23, (5), 542-551.

  14. Cowings, P. S., Toscano, W. B., Kamiya, J., Miller, N. E. and Sharp, J. C. (1988). Final Report. Spacelab-3 Flight Experiment #3AFT23: Autogenic- Feedback Training As A Preventive Method for Space Adaptation Syndrome. NASA Technical Memorandum #89412. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California.

  15. Cowings, P.S., Naifeh, K. and Thrasher, C. (1988) A Computer Program For Processing Impedance Cardiographic Data: Improving Accuracy Through User-Interactive Software. NASA Technical Memorandum #101020. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California.

  16. Cowings, P.S., Toscano, W.B., Kamiya, J., Miller, N.E., Pickering, T. and Shapiro, D. (1990). Autogenic-Feedback Training as a Countermeasure for Orthostatic Intolerance. Proceedings of the First Joint NASA Cardiopulmonary Workshop - Houston, TX. NASA Conference Publication #10068. Pp. 145-153

  17. Cowings, P.S., Naifeh, K.H. and Toscano, W.B. (1990) The Stability Of Individual Patterns Of Autonomic Responses To Motion Sickness Stimulation. Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine, 61, (5), 399-405.

  18. Cowings, P.S. (1990). Autogenic-Feedback Training: A Preventive Method for Motion and Space Sickness. In: (G. Crampton (ed.). Motion and Space Sickness. Boca Raton Florida: CRC Press. Chapter 17, Pp.354-372.

  19. Kellar, M.A., Folen, R.A., Cowings, P.S., Toscano, W.B. & Hisert, G.L. (1993) The Effects of Autogenic-Feedback Training on Emergency Flight Performance. NASA Technical Memorandum #104005. Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine. In review.

  20. Kellar, M.A., Folen, R.A., Cowings, P.S., Toscano, W.B. & Hisert, G.L. (1993) Autogenic-Feedback Training Improves Pilot Performance During Emergency Flying Conditions. NASA Technical Memorandum #104005. NASA-Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA. Also published in Flight Safety Digest July, 1993.

  21. Cowings, P.S., Toscano, W.B. (1993). Autogenic-Feedback Training (AFT) as a Preventive Method For Space Motion Sickness: Background and Experimental Design. NASA Technical Memorandum # 108780 Paper to be submitted to Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine.

  22. Cowings, P.S., Toscano, W.B., Miller, N.E., Pickering, T. and Shapiro, D. (1993). Autogenic-Feedback Training: A Potential Treatment for Post-Flight Orthostatic Intolerance in Aerospace Crews. NASA Technical Memorandum # 108785. Also published in Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Vol. 34, (6) 599-608.

  23. Stout, C.S., Toscano, W.B., Cowings, P.S. (1993). Reliability of Autonomic Responses and Malaise Across Multiple Motion Sickness Stimulation Tests. NASA Technical Memorandum # 108787. Also published in J. Vestibular Research, 5, (1), 25-33.

  24. Stout, C.S., & Cowings, P.S. (1993). Increasing Accuracy in the Assessment of Motion Sickness: A Construct Methodology. NASA Technical Memorandum #108797.

  25. Cowings, P.S., Toscano, W.B., Miller, N.E., & Reynoso, S.M. (1993). Autogenic-Feedback Training As a Treatment For Air-Sickness in High Performance Military Aircraft: Two Case Studies. NASA Technical Memorandum #108810.

  26. Toscano, W.B., & P. Cowings (1994). The Effects of Autogenic-Feedback Training On Motion Sickness Severity and Heart Rate Variability in Astornauts. NASA Technical Memorandum #108840.

  27. Cowings, P., Toscano, W., & Miller, N. (1995). Visceral Learning In The Treatment Of Motion Sickness. Association For Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback.
  28. Kornilova, L.N., Cowings. P.S., Arlaschenko, N.I., Toscano, W.B., Korneev, D.Ju., Ponomarenko, A.V., and Kozlovskaya I.B., (1999). Correction of the Parameters of Autonomous Reactions in the Organism of Cosmonaut with the Method of Adaptive Biocontrol. Aviat.,Space, & Ecology Medicine (Russian journal). 34(3), 66-69.

  29. Kornilova, L.N., Arlaschenko, N.I., Cowings. P.S., Toscano, W.B., Korneev, D.Ju., and Kozlovskaya, I.B., (1999). Results of Investigation of Vestibular Function of Crewmembers Of MIR 23 and MIR 25 Missions Using Skills Obtained During Autogenic-Feedback Exercise Training. Aviaspace & Ecology Medicine (Russian journal). Issued in April.

  30. Cowings, P.S., Toscano, W.B. (2000). Autogenic Feedback Training Exercise is Superior to Promethazine for the Treatment of Motion Sickness. J. Clinical Pharmacology 40 - (10):115431165.

  31. Kuriyama, K., Ueno, T., Ballard, R., Cowings, P.S., Toscano, W.B., Watenpaugh, D.E., Hargens. (2000). Cerebrovascular Responses During Lower Body Negative Pressure-Induced Presyncope. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine.71(10):1033-1038.

  32. Cowings, P.S., Toscano, W.B., DeRoshia, C., Miller, N.E. (2000). Promethazine as a Motion Sickness Treatment: Impact on Human Performance and Mood States. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine. 71(10):1013-32.

  33. Cowings, P.S., & Toscano, W.B. (2001). Improving Operational Readiness of Earth and in Space:Autogenic-Feedback Training Exercise. Proceedings of American Institute of Aviation (AIAA) Conference of Space Station Utilization-Crew Payload Training for the International Space Station. Reference number AIAA-200105103, pp. 1260-1273.

  34. Cowings, P.S, Toscano, W.B., DeRoshia, C., Tauson, R. (2001). Effects of Command and Control Vehicle (C2V) Operational Environment on Soldier Health and Performance. Journal of Human Performance in Extreme Environments. 5(2),66-91.

  35. Cowings, P.S., Toscano, W.B., Keller, M.A., Burge, J.D. (2001). Autogenic-Feedback Training Exercise Improves Pilot Performance: Enhanced Functioning Under Search and Rescue Flying Conditions. The International Journal of Aviation Psychology. 11(3), 305- 315.
PRESENTATIONS
  1. Cowings, P.S. (1976). Volitional Control of autonomic response patterns to suppress motion sickness. Paper presented at the 16th Annual Meeting of the Society for Psychophysiological Research, San Diego, Oct. 20-23.

  2. Cowings, P.S. (1980). The development of Autogenic-Feedback Training as a potential countermeasure for Space Adaptation Syndrome. Paper presented at the 11th Joint US/USSR Symposium of the Biomedical Problems of Manned Spaceflight. Moscow, September.

  3. Cowings, P.S., Toscano, W.B., Suter, S., Kamiya, J. and Naifeh, K. (1984). Visceral learning and the Space Adaptation Syndrome. Paper presented at the 9th Annual Symposium on the Role of Psychology in the Department of Defense, USAF Academy, Colorado Springs. April 18-20.

  4. Cowings, P.S., Suter, S. and Naifeh, K. (1984). Autonomic changes during motion sickness. Paper presented at the 15th Annual Meeting of the Biofeedback Society of America. Albuquerque, March 23-28.

  5. Cowings, P.S. (1984). Autogenic-Feedback Training as a treatment for motion sickness. Paper presented at the 15th Annual Meeting of the Biofeedback Society of America. Albuquerque, March 23-28.

  6. Cowings, P.S. and Toscano, W.B. (1984). Shuttle flight experiment #3AFT23: A test of Autogenic-Feedback Training in space. Paper presented at the 15th Annual Meeting of the Biofeedback Society of America. Albuquerque, March 23-28.

  7. Kamiya, J., Cowings, P.S., W.B. and Chen, J.L. The Electrogastrogram as an index of motion sickness. Paper presented at the Society for Psychophysiological Research, Monterey, 1984. November 16-18.

  8. Morgan, G.M. and Cowings, P.S. (1985). Stimulus specificity and idiosyncratic autonomic responses to motion stressors. Paper presented at the 25th Annual Meeting of the Society for Psychophysiological Research, Houston, Oct. 17-20.

  9. Cowings, P.S., Toscano, W.B., Kamiya, J., Miller, N.E. and Sharp, J.C. (1987). Autogenic-Feedback Training as a preventive method for space adaptation syndrome on Space-lab 3. Paper presented at the at Space Life Sciences Symposium: Three Decades of Life Science Research In Space, Washington, D.C., June 21-26, 1987.

  10. Cowings, P.S., Toscano, W.B., Kamiya, J. and Miller, N.E. (1989). A Behavioral Medicine Alternative: Autogenic-Feedback Training as a Treatment for Space Motion Sickness. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Biofeedback Society of California, Los Angeles, November 11.

  11. Toscano, W.B. and Cowings, P.S. (1990) The Effect of Training Schedule on Learned Suppression of Motion Sickness Symptoms Using Autogenic- Feedback Training. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Aerospace Medical Association, New Orleans, May 13- 17.

  12. Toscano, W.B., Cowings, P.S. (1993) Heart rate variability of humans in space. Paper presented at the 64th Annual Meeting of the Aerospace Medical Association, Toronto, May 23-27. NASA Technical Memorandum in progress.

  13. Cowings, P.S., Toscano, W.B., Sekiguchi, C. & Ishii, M. (1993). Preflight AFT for control of space motion sickness: SPACELAB- J. Paper presented at the 64th Annual Meeting of the Aerospace Medical Association, Toronto, May 23-27. NASA Technical Memorandum in progress.

  14. Cowings, P.S., Toscano, W.B., Miller, N.E., Stout, C, Reynoso, S. (1993) The Effects of Promethazine on: Psychological Responses, Performance and Susceptibility to Motion Sickness. Poster presentation at the 33rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Psychophysiological Research. Germany, October 27- 31.

  15. Toscano, W.B., Cowings, P.S. & Miller, N.E. (1993). Monitoring Astronauts{Special Char 213 in Font "Times"} Functional State: Autonomic Responses to Microgravity. Poster presentation at the 33rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Psychophysiological Research. Germany, October 27-31.

  16. Cowings, P.S., Toscano, W.B., Miller, N.E. (1993) A Behavioral Medicine Approach to Facilitating Adaptation to Space: Autogenic- Feedback Training. Poster presentation at the 33rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Psychophysiological Research. Germany, October 27- 31.

  17. Stout, C. S., Cowings, P.S., Toscano, W.B. (1993) The Assessment of Motion Sickness Symptoms and Automonic Responses: A Single Subject Design. Poster presentation at the 33rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Psychophysiological Research. Germany, October 27- 31.

  18. Cowings, P.S. (1994). Psychophysiology of Humans in Space. Paper presented at the Goddard Space Flight Center{Special Char 213 in Font "Times"}s Engineering Colloquium, Greenbelt, January 24.

  19. Cowings, P.S. (1994). Neurophysiologic Change Occuring in Astronauts and How They are Measured. Paper presented at the 41st Annual Meeting of Society of Nuclear Medicine, Orlando, June 5-8.

  20. Cowings, P.S. (1994). Autogenic-Feedback Training Applications for Man in Space. Paper presented at the Society of Women Engineers 1994 National Convention and Student Conference, Pittsburgh, June 22-26.

  21. Cowings, P.S., Toscano, W.B., Miller, N.E., Pickering, T.G. & Shapiro, D. (1994). A Potential Treatment For Post-Flight Orthostatic Intolerance in Aerospace Crews: Autogenic-Feedback Training. Paper presented at the Fifth International Symposium on the Autonomic Nervous System, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, October 20-23.

  22. Cowings, P.S., Toscano, W.B. (1994). The Effects of Autonomic Conditioning on Motion Sickness Tolerance. Paper presented at the Fifth International Symposium on the Autonomic Nervous System, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, October 20-23.

  23. Toscano, W.B., Cowings, P.S. (1994). Heart Rate Variability During Early Adaptation to Space. Paper presented at the Fifth International Symposium on the Autonomic Nervous System, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, October 20-23.

  24. Toscano, W.B., Cowings, P.S. (1994). Autonomic Responses to Microgravity. Paper presented at the Fifth International Symposium on the Autonomic Nervous System, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, October 20-23.

  25. Cowings, P.S. (1995). The Effects of Promethazine on Human Performance, Autonomic Responses, and Motion Sickness Tolerance. Paper presented at the 66th Annual Aerospace Medical Association Scientific Meeting, Aneheim, CA, May 7-11.