We are accepting applications for the 2008 program. NOTE: Deadline extended to March 3, 2008.

 

Click above to get information and the application for the 2008 apprenticeship.

Research projects in the lab focus on examining sleep patterns, circadian rhythms, and related processes in adolescents and young adults. Sleep patterns in humans depend upon the complex interplay of distinct extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Research in our laboratory reflects a longstanding interest in the fundamental organization of sleeping and waking patterns in humans. Our group currently has a broad program of research that focuses on the development and regulation of sleep and circadian rhythms in children, adolescents, and young adults. The program’s major projects enable us to examine these issues with experimental paradigms involving manipulating sleep and with studies that evaluate sleep/wake and circadian processes at fundamental mechanistic levels.

Summer studies bring adolescents and young adults into the laboratory for extended periods to undertake careful and lengthy assessments of sleep and circadian rhythm control mechanisms. Using such paradigms as forced desynchrony, we measure phase, period, and amplitude of circadian rhythms as well as the strength of the sleep/wake homeostatic process. All these parameters are assessed in relation to developmental stage and sometimes to examine alcohol’s effects. Research participants are recruited to “Sleep for Science,” and the participants become collaborators in the research endeavor.

back to top

The E.P. Bradley Hospital Sleep and Chronobiology Research Lab was established in 1985 and remains part of Bradley Hospital, a Lifespan Partner affiliated with Brown University. The laboratory building, located at 300 Duncan Drive on the campus of Butler Hospital on Providence’s East Side, is a free-standing facility containing a 4-bedroom laboratory, offices, testing areas, storage space, and kitchen facilities and an annex with an assay lab, graduate student offices, a classroom, and additional research space. The laboratory director is Mary A. Carskadon, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Other academic leaders in the laboratory are Katherine Sharkey, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor, Leila Tarokh, Ph.D., and Kristen Stone, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellows, and Stephanie Crowley, graduate student. Affiliated faculty include Judith Owens, M.D., Monique LeBourgeois, Ph.D., John McGeary, Ph.D., Rachel Herz, Ph.D., and Ron Seifer, Ph.D., of the Brown University and/or Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Kathleen Perri, M.A., of Valencia Community College, and Gahan Fallone, Ph.D., of Forest Institute of Professional Psychology.

Carskadon, M.A., Labyak, S.E., Acebo, C., and Seifer, R. Intrinsic circadian period of adolescent humans measured in conditions of forced desynchrony. Neurosci. Lett. 260:129-132, 1999.

Jenni, O.J., Achermann, P., and Carskadon, M.A. Homeostatic sleep regulation in adolescents. Sleep 28 (11): 446-1454, 2005.

Crowley, S., Acebo, C., Fallone, G., and Carskadon, M.A. Estimating dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) phase in adolescents using summer or school-year sleep/wake schedules. Sleep 29(12):1632-1641, 2006.

Van Reen, E., Jenni, O.G., and Carskadon, M.A. Effects of alcohol on sleep and the sleep electroencephalogram in healthy young women. Alcohol. Clin. Exp. Res. 30(6):974-981, 2006.

Rupp, T.L., Acebo, C., and Carskadon, M.A. Late-night alcohol suppresses salivary melatonin in young adults. Chronobiol. Int. 24(3):463-470, 2007.

Jenni, O.G. and Carskadon, M.A. Sleep behavior and sleep regulation from infancy through adolescence: normative aspects. In Jenni, O.G. and Carskadon, M.A. (Guest Eds.) Sleep Medicine Clinics: Sleep in Children and Adolescents. Philadelphia. W.B. Saunders (Elsevier), Philadephia, pp. 321-329, 2007.

back to top

The E.P. Bradley Hospital, Brown University affiliated Sleep Research Laboratory in Providence, RI, announces research apprenticeships available for the summer of 2008 for NIH–sponsored research: the William C. Dement Summer Sleep and Chronobiology Research Apprenticeship. Sponsorship of the academic program from The Periodic Breathing Foundation.

First, fill out the application form (link at the top of this page) and submit it by 3 March 2008. Have 2 letters of recommendation (preferably from professors) sent or emailed directly to Dr. Carskadon by the same deadline. Candidates are subsequently interviewed by telephone or in person (if from a local university or college). The application form can be downloaded by clicking on "application form" at the top of this page.

back to top

Undergraduate students with strong interest in behavioral sciences research and who demonstrate enthusiasm for, commitment to, and availability for the full program are encouraged to apply. Previous courses or lab work in sleep or circadian rhythms are helpful but not required. Students from local institutions, especially Brown University, are encouraged to maintain participation in sleep lab activities beyond the summer by working on sleep studies during the school year. Apprentices must reside in or near Providence for the summer. [Graduate students may be accepted under special circumstances. Students may apply for a repeat summer experience as a Senior Research Apprentice (usually no more than 3), with a slightly higher stipend.] Successful applicants are required to apply for student membership ($45 Fee) in the Sleep Research Society.

back to top

• Introduction to normal human sleep and circadian rhythms
• Central nervous system and neurophysiological basis of electroencephalography (EEG)
• Polysomnographic recording techniques, including EEG, EMG, EOG, EKG, nasal pressure, pulse oximetry, and respiratory plethysmography electrode hookup
• Operation of monitoring equipment
• Multiple Sleep Latency Test procedures, performance testing, identification of sleep stages
• Basic lab procedures, including working with human study participants and how to work well with youthful participants
• Ethical conduct of research
• Experimental hypotheses, rationale, and methods for laboratory’s summer research projects
• Preparation for attending a scientific meeting and skills for getting the most out of the meeting
• Presentation skills, including effective creation and delivery of PowerPoint slide presentation and facets of effective scientific presentations

back to top

The major research project during the summer assesses sleep, circadian rhythms, and performance of adolescent and young adult humans. This project includes a lengthy in-lab session, with assessments on non-24-hour days, thus necessitating staff involvement at times that span the clock. Other projects may involve bright light administration to change circadian phase and assessment of overnight learning in children with and without ADHD.

Research Apprentices carry out multiple facets of data collection (electrode application, 1–to-1 work with research participants, forms and tests administration), data reduction, and data entry. During the research phases of the program, apprentices are assigned to teams and work 5 or 6 days each week—not always Monday through Friday, often Saturday and Sunday—in research protocols that involve working unusual schedules. Although we attempt to assign teams to hours that correspond to team members’ circadian phase preferences, applicants must be able and willing to work on any of the following types of schedules for all or part of the program: “Owl” shifts may begin as early as 2 pm or as late as 9:45 pm and end as early as 10:30 pm or as late as 5:45 am; “lark” shifts may begin as early as 3:00 am or as late as noon and may end as early as 8:45 am or as late as 5:15 pm; “neither” shifts may begin as early as 6:45 am or as late a 3:45 pm and end as early as 11:00 am or as late as 10:15 pm. [Sleep planning assistance is provided to facilitate your adaptation to work schedules.]

back to top

• $3300* for the summer, housing is not included. (Assistance in locating housing is provided.)
• Paid registration for the annual scientific meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).
• Paid travel to and lodgings at the APSS meeting (Baltimore, MD).
• Admission to Psychology 106 and paid tuition for this Brown University summer course. Student status at Brown affords other benefits, and paid fees for summer enrollment includes access to Brown Health Services, as well as Brown’s Recreation, Library, and Computing facilities.
• Paid meals and lodgings at the Research Apprenticeship Summer Retreat (August 20-22).

*Stipends are subject to taxes and fees; they are not tax deductible; SSI fees are charged.

back to top

Academic activities associated with the summer research apprenticeship are funded through a generous gift of The Periodic Breathing Foundation, Managing Member and Brown Alumnus, Robert Daly '73. The 2008 summer research project is funded by NIMH: MH076969, "Intrinsic Circadian Period: Development, Delayed Phase, and Genetic Associations.”

back to top