Yuri Senkevich was born in Mongolia, where his father and mother were working as medics, in 1937.

In 1960 Yuri graduated from Military Medical Academy of St. Petersburg, and was appointed head of medical aid station of a military unit. In 1963 Yuri Senkevich started working in the Institute of Medical and Biological Problems and spent there over 30 years. During his employment in the Institute Yuri walked a long way from junior research fellow to head of the specialized centre for biomedical training of cosmonauts, where he participated in preparation and medical support of manned space missions and launch of satellites, carrying biological objects. Senkevich was also trained as medical investigator for space flight, but did not fly.

Yuri Senkevich made enormous contribution to improvement of science information system and in development of theoretical problems of aerospace medicine and biology. The scientist studied disturbance mechanisms of physiological functions in real space flights and in simulated zero-gravity. Senkevich developed original techniques for psycho-physiological selection and training of cosmonauts.

In 1966 Yuri Senkevich had focused on studying human behaviour under extreme conditions. In 1966-1967 the scientist took part in 12^th Soviet Antarctic Expedition to the “Vostok” station, and materials, collected in that harsh environment, were the basis for his PhD work. In 1969 world famous Norwegian traveller Thor Heyerdahl invited Yuri Senkevich to participate in an ambitious project – crossing the Pacific Ocean on the papyrus boat “Ra”. Then the “Ra-2” and the “Tigris”, which crossed the Indian Ocean, followed. The whole world watched brave men with breathless attention.

These expeditions gave Senkevich a unique chance to study physiology of a human being and interpersonal relationships under extreme conditions of long-term separation from the whole world. Later the scientist took active part in medical support of Soviet expedition to the North Pole (1979) and First Soviet expedition to Mount Everest (1980-1982). Results of Senkevich’s research of human behavior under extreme conditions were published in over 60 scientific papers and several exciting popular books.

In 1973 Yuri Senkevich was invited to television to host a programme about travelling named “Travellers’ Club”. Senkevich, a brave traveller and enthusiastic narrator, made his programme one of most popular TV-shows among Soviet people – millions of people all around the country were his fans. The programme has lasted for 37 years, opening new countries, people and customs to its audience and urging them to travel. Senkevich invited many world famous travellers and scientists – Thor Heyerdahl, Jacques-Ives Cousteau, Carlo Mauri, Fedor Konyukhov and many others. The scientist paid attention to ecological problems and his beloved country.

For his achievements Yuri Senkevich received several prestigious prizes and was elected a member of Russian TV Academy. Great scientist and traveller Yuri Senkevich died in Moscow in September 2003 aged 66.

Source: Peoples.ru

Kizilova Anna