Eugene Aserinsky

Eugene Aserinsky (1921-1998) is a forerunner in sleep research with his work on rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep. He spent many hours observing sleeping subjects’ eyelids. Together with Nathaniel Kleitman, his PhD adviser, they initiated studies which were instrumental in electroencephalograph procedures. Aserinsky and Kleitman are viewed by many as modern sleep research founders.