CHRONOBIOLOGY, LIGHT AND SLEEP LAB

The overarching goal of our research program is to further understand sleep, circadian rhythms and light in order to maximize human health and well-being. To that end, we take two major research approaches. From a basic science perspective, we focus on the neural mechanisms underlying the modulation of photic sensitivity for the biological effects of light in both humans and model systems. From a clinical/translational perspective, we examine how the basic science of this primitive sensory system can guide the rational development of clinical therapies and architectural lighting strategies. One key aspect of a successful transition to application includes a carefully developed, tailored and tested educational component, which has become an emerging priority for our group. Since methods for examining circadian rhythms in humans under more naturalistic conditions are quite limited and controlled laboratory studies are impractical for many populations of interest, parallel work includes the validation of novel strategies for assessing sleep and circadian health in the home environment.

Current ongoing studies include:

RIGOROUS CHARACTERIZATIONS OF SLEEP, CIRCADIAN HEALTH, AND BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF LIGHT

In the lab

  • Effects of light exposure parameters (spectrum, intensity, directionality) and photic history
  • Light-induced melatonin suppression, acute alerting and pupillary response

In the field

  • Night shiftworkers in hospital settings
  • Active duty service members, across the deployment cycle
  • Families with a history of autism spectrum disorders

EFFECTIVENESS OF EVIDENCE-BASED LIGHTING INTERVENTIONS

  • Architectural applications (e.g. hospital settings)
  • Therapeutic applications (e.g. treatment of patients with PTSD +MDD)

DEVELOPMENT OF SLEEP AND CIRCADIAN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

  • Circadian, Light and Sleep Skills (CLASS) program, for undergraduate students
  • CLASS-M, for active duty service members and their families