Laura Barger

Laura Barger, Ph.D., is a part-time Associate Professor of Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital. She leads the Sleep Matters Initiative, focusing on the intersection of sleep science, occupational health, and healthcare safety. Her research examines how work schedules impact medical professionals' well-being and patient outcomes, with particular emphasis on resident physicians and shift workers.

Her primary research interests include circadian rhythm disorders, sleep deficiency in healthcare settings, occupational fatigue management, and the role of sleep in post-acute COVID-19 sequelae. She maintains strong collaborations with researchers in neurobiology, occupational medicine, and public health.

Dr. Barger's recent publications demonstrate three key themes: 1) longitudinal studies on healthcare work hour reforms and safety outcomes, 2) sleep-related risk factors for COVID-19 complications, and 3) validation of wearable sleep monitoring technologies. Her work consistently bridges clinical sleep medicine with occupational health policy.

Research Grants:

• NIH R01OH011773 (2019-2023): Principal Investigator for 'Impact of lifting work hour restrictions on first-year resident safety, health and well-being'
• NIH R01OH010300 (2013-2018): Principal Investigator for 'Impact of eliminating extended duration work shifts on resident health and safety'

She directs the Sleep Matters Initiative laboratory at Brigham and Women's Hospital, coordinating interdisciplinary teams investigating sleep physiology in occupational and clinical contexts. Her current projects explore interventions for shift workers and circadian entrainment strategies.