He was Professor of Pharmacology in the College of Medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC),[1] Radulovacki's research accomplishments include: (1) the Adenosine Sleep Theory,[2] and (2) pioneering pharmacological studies for the treatment of sleep apnea,[3] together with research collaborator, David W. Carley,[4] (Professor of Medicine at the UIC).

At the beginning of World War II, Radulovacki's father was drafted into the Yugoslav Army and was later taken prisoner by the invading Germans.

[citation needed] Radulovacki spent 18 months at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Brain Research Institute[14][failed verification] where his mentor was Ross Adey.

The cannulation method enabled researchers to obtain cerebrospinal fluid during sleep and wakefulness for the analysis of monoamine metabolites.

[7] In 1970, Radulovacki was recruited by Klaus Unna[19] to join the Department of Pharmacology in the College of Medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago as an Assistant Professor.

In the article, the authors correlated the behavioral excitation produced by theophylline in micromolar concentrations with the blockade of adenosine receptors.

However, since there was no suggestion how this adenosine-serotonin link was achieved, experiments highlighting the potential role of adenosine in sleep had largely been forgotten.

[28] Patents for sleep and sleep-related disorders include: Radulovacki was named the 2010 Inventor of the Year at the University of Illinois, alongside Carley.

[5] Radulovacki and Carley were honored by the University of Illinois for producing a dozen potential treatments for sleep apnea, many of which are now under consideration for commercial development.

[38] Their results have culminated in an IllinoisVentures-supported start-up company, Pier Pharmaceuticals, that focuses on the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

[11] The purpose of the prize, given annually, is to honor a fourth year Medical student who displays a high degree of intellectual integrity and who has demonstrated strong academic achievement.

[citation needed] Radulovacki died on May 27, 2014, in Belgrade, Serbia, while on two-week trip to promote his philanthropic projects.