The president of Swimming Technology Research is Dr. Rod Havriluk. After serving as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, Rod earned a Ph.D. in human performance from Indiana University in 1987. He specialized in biomechanics under the direction of Dr. John M. Cooper (“the father of modern biomechanics”). While at Indiana he also learned from the legendary Dr. James “Doc” Counsilman. Rod also has an M.S. in exercise physiology from Florida State University. He taught biomechanics at Indiana University and was most recently an adjunct professor at Florida State University.

Rod coached swimming for over 10 years at all levels – from country club to NCAA Division I. He has also competed for most of his life. He recently earned titles at numerous open water swims. He has a wide variety of experience in other aspects of competitive swimming. He is a USA Swimming certified referee. He served as president of his daughter’s swim team booster organization; a member of the medical testing staff at US Olympic Trials; a member of the Research Committee of the National Collegiate Women's Swimming Coaches Association; and coach of a university water polo team. He is a long time member of the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance; the American College of Sports Medicine; and the American Swimming Coaches Association. Rod is a reviewer for the Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport.

Dr. Havriluk’s ongoing research has resulted in presentations at numerous international conferences, such as Federation Internationale Natation (FINA), the International Society of Biomechanics (ISB), and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He was invited to speak to coaching groups in the Caribbean, the Middle East, and North and South America. His studies have appeared in many swimming publications, such as the Journal of Swimming Research, Swimming Technique, and Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming, and more general publications, such as the Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport and Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. His collaborations include working with scientists at the University of Illinois, the University of Hawaii, Southwestern University, the University of Athens (Greece), and the University of Grenada (Spain).

Rod's research produced three US patents and prompted the development of software and hardware products. Aquanex was selected as an example of advanced technology and featured in the book - One Digital Day: How the microchip is changing our lives. ESPN subsequently included a segment on Aquanex in their Sports Technology Series. Aquanex articles also appeared in newspapers and magazines in several countries, as well as in textbooks. An upgraded version (Aquanex+Video) was selected as a finalist for Product Design and Development’s 2003 Engineering Awards. Aquanex+Video was also featured in the book - Inescapable Data: Harnessing the power of convergence, in a segment on the Score TV, and in PC Magazine.

As a sport scientist, Dr. Havriluk has helped thousands of swimmers, including Olympians, world champions, and world record holders. His client list includes swimming associations, national training centers, equipment companies, camps, and teams. He's received countless compliments for his work with swimmers, triathletes, and coaches.