Current Projects

Mechanisms of Depression and Anhedonia in Adolescents: Linking Sleep Duration and Timing to Reward- and Stress-Related Brain Function (MoDA) 
Project period: 2022-2027
NIH grant number: R01MH126109

The overall objective of this project is to evaluate a biobehavioral model whereby sufficient sleep duration and/or early sleep timing can reduce depressive symptoms and anhedonia by promoting reward- and stress-related brain function in adolescents. The long-term goal of this research is to leverage sleep and circadian function to reduce symptoms of depression.

Mechanisms of Risky Alcohol Use in Young Adults: Linking Sleep Duration and Timing to Reward- and Stress-Related Brain Function (MoRA)
Project period: 2022-2027
NIH grant number: R01AA029125

The overall objective of this R01 is to evaluate a biobehavioral model whereby sufficient sleep duration and/or early sleep timing can reduce high-risk drinking by promoting reward- and stress-related brain function in young adults with high lifetime stress load. The long-term goal of this research is to leverage sleep and circadian function to reduce high-risk drinking.

Past Projects

Sleep and Girls’ Emotions (SAGE) II
Project period: 2016-2018
NIH grant number: K01MH103511

The aim of this study was to establish the feasibility and evaluate the effect of sleep extension on reward processing and depressive symptoms in adolescent girls. The study used daily assessments of sleep and stressful life events to predict subsequent reward-related brain function and depressive symptoms in a community sample of 18- to 20-year-old girls with depressive symptoms and insufficient sleep.

Sleep and Girls’ Emotions (SAGE) I
Project period: 2014-2016
NIH grant number: K01MH103511

The aim of this study was to examine daily stressful life events and behaviorally-measured sleep duration as predictors of reward processing and depressive symptoms in adolescent girls. The study used daily assessments of sleep and stressful life events to predict subsequent reward-related brain function and depressive symptoms in a large and well-characterized sample of 19-year-old girls from the Pittsburgh Girls Study – Emotions Substudy. This research was performed in collaboration with Drs. Erika Forbes and Alison Hipwell at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Amanda Guyer at the University of California, Davis, and Dr. Kathryn Keenan at the University of Chicago.