ONGOING PROJECTS
1. Identifying Chrono-Behavioral Characteristics of Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease in Young Adults (American Heart Association): We are comprehensively examining temporal characteristics of rest, activity, and eating behavior to learn about their independent influence on key biomarkers of subclinical cardiovascular disease in a diverse group of apparently healthy young men and women (18-30 years).
2. Using Sleep Health to Optimize Smoking Cessation Treatment Response in HIV-Positive Adults (5R01DA051321): This study is testing the efficacy of our 15-week sleep training intervention on sleep health and smoking cessation rates in 200 adults living with HIV who are seeking treatment for nicotine dependence. This study is currently being conducted in collaboration with the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Arizona.
3. Predicting Sleep, Smoking and Lung Health Disparities in at-risk Black African American adults (5R01MD012734): In collaboration with the Temple Lung Center at Temple University, this 5-year prospective cohort study seeks to identify the ecological predictors of sleep health, and the relationship between sleep health with cardiopulmonary outcomes in a sample of 400 Black/African American smokers.
4. Using EMA and actigraphy to assess the temporal relationships between stress and sleep in ecologically valid family contexts over 14-days (Rockefeller University Heilbrunn Family Center for Research Nursing Award [NIH UL1 TR001866] and DE CTR ACCEL Project Award [NIH U54 GM104941]): This project aims to uncover reciprocal associations between caregiver and toddler sleep and caregiver’s coping and emotional response to experienced daily stressors within low SES families. This pilot data will support the development of a family-based sleep intervention centered around helping caregivers in low SES contexts cope more effectively with contextually induced stress, which in turn, may promote better caregiver and toddler sleep.
5. Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease in Early Mid-Life: Determining a role of chrono-behaviors (UD Institutional Funds): We are using a micro-longitudinal design to objectively examine behavioral patterns and their association with biomarkers of subclinical cardiovascular disease in early middle-aged adults (30-45 years). This study is currently being conducted in collaboration with UD’s Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology and Cardiovascular Core.
6. Using an integrated model to define key intervention targets for cardiovascular (CV) health among adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (UD Institutional Funds): We are objectively monitoring health-related time use (physical activity, sleep, sedentary behavior, as well as diet intake, tobacco and alcohol use), body mass index, and blood pressure in 40 midlife adults with ASD over a 2-week period.
7. Describing sleep and circadian domains using accelerometer derived traits in 79,876 UK Biobank participants (University of Pennsylvania Dept. of Psychiatry Institutional Funds): We are currently collaborating with the University of Pennsylvania to identify key actigraphy-derived sleep and circadian domains, and to indicate the top contributing variables that represent important traits in the sleep and circadian literature. We are also examining demographic associations with the key sleep and circadian domains identified.
8. Using Dim Light Melatonin Onset to Explore the Relationship Between Circadian Timing of Behaviors and Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease (Sleep Research Society Foundation): This project aims to develop proficiency in measuring dim light melatonin onset, the gold-standard metric to quantify one’s internal biological timing. This project will also provide insight on engaging in sleep, activity, and eating behaviors at unhealthy times and its relationship to cardiovascular disease risk.