Early Bird Frances Moriniere Pushes Boundaries in Sleep Research Role
In the heart of Providence, Rhode Island, Frances Moriniere, a junior at Brown University, is embarking on an exciting journey as a sleep scientist through the Sleep Apprenticeship program at the Warren Alpert Medical School and Bradley Hospital.
Under the guidance of Professor Carskadon, a renowned researcher in the field, Moriniere is gaining invaluable experience in sleep research. Carskadon supervises summer interns, delving into the impact of sleep on individuals undergoing medical treatment for opioid addiction.
Moriniere, who has personally experienced the protocols, emphasises the importance of understanding the participant's experience. She finds the collaborative nature of the research, working alongside leading researchers and apprentices from various colleges and universities, both enjoyable and rewarding.
The sleep apprenticeship is a hands-on opportunity for those eager to delve into the world of sleep science. The program involves working as a team in the sleep lab, where Moriniere is assisting with three studies. One study evaluates the effect of light exposure on circadian phases using wearable technology, another looks at sleep-dependent memory in children, and a third examines how sleep affects people receiving medical treatment for opioid use disorder.
In the opioid use study, participants sleep for only 40 minutes, followed by precise wake-up timing without revealing the time. After waking, researchers take vital signs and saliva samples, offer a meal and activity time, and administer performance tests. The morning-shift researchers are responsible for waking up participants, removing monitoring equipment, sending them on their way, and cleaning the rooms.
Interestingly, the wearable technology used in one of the studies was developed by Eliza Van Reen, a former student of Carskadon who earned a Ph.D. from Brown.
The sleep apprenticeship requires a high level of precision and organisation to ensure data consistency across participants. Moriniere, who also plays varsity field hockey for Brown, finds the research experience at the Warren Alpert Medical School exciting due to the diverse backgrounds and shared interest in sleep science.
The sleep apprenticeship is part of the Warren Alpert Medical School's research summer experiences and undergraduate research programs, offering students like Moriniere the chance to make significant contributions to the field of sleep science.
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