Introduction 

The Center for Sleep and Circadian Science (CSCS) was formally established in 2017 by investigators from multiple schools, departments and divisions at the University of Pittsburgh. A Steering Committee, chaired by Daniel Buysse, MD, oversees the activities of the CSCS.  The mission of the CSCS is to advance the science and practice of sleep and circadian medicine through innovations in research, education, and clinical care. 

What We Do

CSCS faculty, trainees, and staff are engaged in a wide range of research projects focused on sleep and circadian health. Undergraduate, graduate, medical student/resident, and postdoctoral trainees gain valuable hands on research experience by working closely with CSCS faculty from across the University of Pittsburgh campus, including the Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Psychology, Department of Neuroscience, School of Nursing, and Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine in the Department of Medicine. CSCS research programs investigate the critical role that sleep and circadian rhythms play in physical, mental, and cognitive health across the lifespan. Center investigators and staff have also developed important tools widely used by researchers across the country and abroad. The tool kit includes a cadre of instruments to facilitate sleep assessment including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Consensus Sleep Diary, and the Structured Interview for DSM-5 Sleep Disorders.

Training

In addition to cutting edge research, the CSCS also provides education and training to the next generation of sleep and circadian researchers and clinicians. The federally funded Translational Research Training in Sleep and Circadian Science program, funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, primarily focuses on postdoctoral training of PhD- and MD-level trainees as well as graduate training in the nationally ranked departments of psychology, neuroscience, epidemiology, and health and physical activity at Pitt.  The CSCS also offers opportunities for mentored medical student research. Clinical training is available through the Center’s ACGME-accredited sleep medicine fellowship, and a Behavioral Sleep Medicine training fellowship accredited by the Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine. Center faculty also serve as mentors and consultants to a number other T32 postdoctoral, medical student, and undergraduate research programs. 

Events

CSCS Research Day, held each year in November, brings together the University’s sleep and circadian research http://researchcommunity for workshops, symposia, poster presentations, and nationally-recognized invited speakers. Weekly Multidisciplinary Sleep Medicine Conferences include state-of-the-art Grand Rounds presentations, journal clubs, and Research in Progress meetings. Each of these formats provide a supportive venue for trainees and faculty to learn more about sleep and circadian science, and to obtain valuable feedback on their research ideas. Conferences are open to the entire University community and are held at 4:00 PM on Thursday afternoons in the Starzl Biomedical Science Tower, Room 1295.