Frances Moriniere has taken on a pivotal role in sleep research this summer, directly participating in experiments that enhance her understanding of the field from a participant's viewpoint. "Because you’ve been through the protocol yourself, you know what the participants are going through, and it’s nice to be able to relate to them,” Moriniere said.
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Throughout the summer, she is involved in three studies. One project assesses how light exposure influences circadian phases using technology designed by Eliza Van Reen, a former student of Carskadon with a Ph.D. from Brown. Another study investigates risk factors associated with sleep-dependent memory in children. The third research initiative, led by Carskadon and in collaboration with Brown's Josiah Rich, Ju Park, and Susan Ramsey, explores the impact of sleep on individuals undergoing treatment for opioid use disorder.
Researchers working morning shifts like Moriniere are responsible for waking participants, removing monitoring equipment, and cleaning the rooms afterward. The opioid study entails a more intricate protocol, requiring heightened attention. Participants are allowed only 40 minutes of sleep before being awakened without knowledge of the time. Following the wake-up, the team measures vital signs, collects saliva samples, provides meals and activity, and conducts performance tests before sending participants back to sleep after 120 minutes.
"Everything has to be done in a very precise time frame to make sure the data is consistent across participants," Moriniere noted, emphasizing the importance of organization and communication within the team.
Moriniere discovered the sleep apprenticeship opportunity while attending Carskadon’s seminar on sleep, circadian rhythms, and behavioral health, and she was eager to engage in practical research. A varsity field hockey player at Brown, she has relished the collaborative atmosphere in the lab, working alongside seven other apprentices from various colleges who share a common passion for sleep science. "Working as a team in the sleep lab has been super fun. Everyone has different backgrounds but shares a common interest in sleep science. It’s just really exciting to get to know all these great people and then have the chance to work with them on a daily basis.”