Early Life & Entry into Parapsychology

Carlos S. Alvarado was born in 1955 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Fascinated from a young age by psychic phenomena and the history of psychical research, he pursued a BA in Psychology from the University of Puerto Rico, followed by graduate studies in parapsychology and related disciplines in the United States and the United Kingdom (sources: Psi Encyclopedia, obituary tributes).

Career Milestones & Contributions

Academic Training & Early Research

Alvarado studied under parapsychologists such as Gertrude Schmeidler and Carlos Blanco. He earned an MA in Parapsychology from John F. Kennedy University and later a PhD in Psychology from the University of Edinburgh, where he specialized in the history of psychical research (sources: University of Edinburgh archives, Psi Encyclopedia).

Research and Writing

He became known for his meticulous historical scholarship on out-of-body experiences (OBEs), apparitional experiences, early laboratory research, and the development of psychical research institutions. His historical work appeared in Journal of the Society for Psychical Research, Journal of Parapsychology, and History of Psychiatry (sources: Psi Encyclopedia).

Institutional Roles

Alvarado held research and teaching positions at institutions including the Parapsychology Foundation, the Rhine Research Center, and Atlantic University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He served on editorial boards of multiple journals and was an active member of the Parapsychological Association (sources: Parapsychology Foundation, Psi Encyclopedia).

Collaboration with Nancy L. Zingrone

Alongside his wife and research partner, psychologist Nancy L. Zingrone, Alvarado developed online education initiatives in parapsychology and continued joint historical research projects. They co-authored numerous papers and conference presentations on the cultural and methodological contexts of psi research (sources: Psi Encyclopedia, Zingrone/Alvarado publications list).

Research Themes & Scholarly Contributions

• History of Psychical Research: Documented the evolution of key experimental approaches, early researchers, and the role of institutions in shaping the field.
• Survey Studies: Conducted population-based surveys on OBEs, apparitional experiences, and spontaneous psi reports.
• Cross-Cultural Perspectives: Analyzed psi phenomena in Latin American contexts and historical cases from diverse cultural traditions.
• Educational Outreach: Developed online courses, webinars, and conference events to make scholarly parapsychology accessible to broader audiences.

Impact & Legacy

• Meticulous Historian: Elevated the scholarly standard for documenting the history of psi research, ensuring that the contributions of early investigators are preserved and critically examined.
• Educator & Mentor: Guided students and the public in understanding the methods, history, and controversies of parapsychology.
• Global Perspective: Integrated Latin American research traditions into the largely Euro-American history of the field.
• Institutional Service: Strengthened organizations like the Parapsychology Foundation through leadership and scholarship.

Summary Timeline

Bottom Line

Carlos S. Alvarado was a distinguished historian and educator of parapsychology whose work combined rigorous documentation, cultural breadth, and an enduring commitment to education. His scholarship continues to inform contemporary researchers and preserve the rich heritage of psychical research.