The Pediatric Chronobiology and Sleep Research Program at RUSH University Medical Center focuses on understanding basic circadian physiology and sleep behavior across adolescence, as well as developing and testing strategies to correct circadian misalignment (the mismatch between sleep and the circadian system) that is often experienced by teens in middle and high school.
We are located on RUSH's downtown campus at:
1645 W. Jackson Blvd. Suite 425
Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 942-9991
Email: sleepclocklab@rush.edu
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Light Timing Study
Young adults between the ages of 18 and 20 wanted for a research study of the effects of light on the body clock.
- Study runs from August until May
- 2 weeks, including staying in our lab for 7 days
- No drugs or invasive procedures like blood draws
- Participants will be paid $925 for successfully completing the entire study
- Free parking in attached garage for all lab visits
COVID-19 Precautions
Please note that our lab is taking the appropriate COVID-19 precautions for the safety of participants and our research staff. Some of these measures include: screening questions for COVID-19, social distancing, and personal protective equipment (masks and gloves) for all lab visits. Please email us at sleep_study_2@rush.edu with any questions. Thank you and stay healthy!
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The Biological Rhythms Research Laboratory is a state of the art facility featuring:
- Bedroom suite (with three bedrooms)
- Private bathroom with shower
- Kitchen and phase assessment room
- Video monitors and intercom system
- Staff offices and participant monitoring rooms
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Stephanie Crowley, PhD
Professor, Director of the Pediatric Chronobiology and Sleep Research ProgramStephanie Crowley, PhD is a professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences. She directs the Pediatric Chronobiology and Sleep Research Program at Rush. Her research focuses on understanding the circadian (~24-hour) timing system and sleep during adolescence. Crowley's work is primarily supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She is the Secretary-Treasurer of the Sleep Research Society (SRS), is an associate editor for SLEEP, and serves on the editorial board for Sleep Health.
Charmane Eastman, PhD
Professor, Founding Director of the Biological Rhythms Research LaboratoryImage
Dr. Eastman is a professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and the founding director of the Biological Rhythms Research Laboratory at RUMC in Chicago. Her research interests include human circadian rhythms and sleep, with an emphasis on the man-made circadian rhythm “disorders” due to shift work, jet travel, early work and school start times, being an extreme night owl, and the Monday morning blues. She was commissioned by NASA to develop sleep and bright light schedules that the astronauts used to reset their circadian clocks to prepare for the shift work of space shuttle missions. Under her direction her lab has studied bright light treatment of winter depression or seasonal affective disorder and how to reset or phase shift the circadian clock with light and melatonin to reduce jet lag and the circadian misalignment caused by night shift work. She has published more than 100 papers in these areas. Her work has been supported by several federal grants from the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) over the last 30+ years.
Ieva Misiunaite, MA
Study CoordinatorIeva started working at the Biological Rhythms Research Laboratory after earning her BS in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago in 2013. During this time, Ieva worked with Dr. Crowley and Dr. Eastman on various research projects, including coordinating the Teen Weekend Sleep Study. In 2016, Ieva left the lab to earn a MA in Developmental Psychology from Loyola University Chicago. Since coming back to the lab, she has been coordinating the Teen Sleep and Light Study. When she's not working, Ieva enjoys reading, going for walks, and spending time with her friends and family.
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Allison Monterastelli, MS
Senior Research Data AnalystAllison joined the Biological Rhythms Research Lab after graduating from Loyola University Chicago with her BS in Molecular Biology in 2021. During her time at the lab, Allison completed her Masters, graduating from John Hopkins University with her MS in Biotechnology (Bioinformatics Concentration) in 2024. Before joining the Biological Rhythms Research Lab, Allison worked on several multidisciplinary research projects including the developments of a photodynamic cancer therapy in zebrafish and the development of a tool to objectively quantify the benefits of writing tutoring in college-aged young adults. Allison has worn several hats in the Biological Rhythms Research Lab including serving as a research assistant for both the Teen Night Owl and Teen Sleep and Light studies as well as coordinating the Light Timing Study. She now works as the Senior Research Data Analyst for the Lab, managing the lab's data analysis and assisting in the circulation of the lab's findings though papers and abstracts. Outside of research, Allison enjoys reading, spending time with her family, walking her dog, and trying new restaurants in the city.
Elaine Poole, BS
Study CoordinatorImage
Elaine is a recent graduate from the University of Alabama (2022) with a BS in Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience. During her last two years at the University, Elaine was part of a research lab that studied sleep in the context of interpersonal relationships and SES. She eventually completed her own independent project on the roommate relationship and sleep in college students. She also dedicated three years teaching her fellow peers on campus about diverse health topics with the peer education group, Project Health. Elaine has enjoyed learning more about sleep in the Biological Rhythms Research Lab. She started her role in the lab as a research assistant for both the Light Timing and Teen Sleep and Light studies, and now she is the coordinator for the Light Timing Study. In the future, she aims to go back to school to receive a graduate degree in Health Psychology. When she's not at the lab, you can find her exploring the city or back in the burbs spending time with her pets, reading, or catching up on her favorite shows.
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Connor Lafeber, BS
Research AssistantConnor is a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2022) with a BS in Neurobiology and a minor in Computer Science. During his undergraduate, he spent his time in a visual processing laboratory using EM reconstruction to study information pathways in the primate retina. Connor has always been fascinated by sleep research. He has enjoyed working with Dr. Crowley since graduating to study the effects of sleep deprivation and circadian misalignment on cognition in adolescents. Connor is currently pursuing a MS in Clinical Research here at Rush. In his free time, he enjoys running, reading, woodworking, and spending time with friends and family.
Amira Hady, BA
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Amira is a recent graduate from DePaul University (2023) with a B.A. in Sociology and Arabic Studies with a certificate in Global Fluency. During her time at DePaul University, Amira was part of the Center of Access and Attainment Lab at DePaul researching Food and Housing Insecurity which led to the opening of a food pantry on campus. She was also a Student Researcher for DePaul's International Research Experience, organized through TRiO, studying discrimination against the Indigenous Mapuche people in Argentina. Amira's commitment to the wellbeing of community members is what motivates her research and is excited to learn and contribute to the Biological Rhythms Research Lab. She wishes to pursue higher education related to physiological responses to our changing environment. In her free time, Amira enjoys painting, listening to new music, and cooking with friends and family.
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Hieu Nguyen, BS
Research AssistantHieu graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Clinical/Community Psychology in Spring of 2023. During his time at U of I, he worked as a study coordinator for the Alcohol Research Lab and as a paraprofessional for the university's counseling center. Hieu's passion for biotechnology and mental health fuels his work in the Biological Rhythms Research Lab. He aims to earn a graduate degree in Counseling Psychology, focusing on the intersection of marginalized identities and mental health. In his free time, Hieu enjoys reading poetry, playing D&D, and spending quality time with his loved ones.
Nina Blaise, BS
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Nina graduated from Dominican University in December of 2022 with a BS in Psychology and a double minor in Math and Criminology. During her undergraduate career, she worked as a research assistant for a STEM learning program. After graduating, Nina gained experience in the mental health field by helping adolescents earn their GEDS, assisting in research focusing on CPS freshmen students, and caring for children in mental health crisis. Her experience has led her to want to pursue research in clinical psychology. She is excited to delve deeper into the world of sleep with the Biological Rhythm Research Lab. In her free time, Nina likes to dance, knit and crochet, read, and has recently found interest in hiking.
Rae Anstett, BA
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Rae graduated from Coe College with a BA in Psychology and English (2023). As an undergraduate, Rae was a research assistant in labs focused on decisional forgiveness in honor and dignity cultures, the bilingualism advantage in memory, and early childcare providers' mental health. They applied this research on sociocultural context and well-being as an AmeriCorps member in RUSH's Department of Social Work and Community Health, where they worked to address social determinants of health in patient populations. Rae is eager to explore the gap between social and individual sleep health at the Biological Rhythms Research Laboratory and has long-term plans to pursue a graduate degree in Community Psychology. Rae unwinds with long and winding walks, Dungeons and Dragons, and mindfulness practiced through art and journaling.