David Dinges

David F. Dinges is Professor of Psychiatry and Chief of the Division of Sleep and Chronobiology at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine. He directs the Unit for Experimental Psychiatry and serves as Associate Director of the Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology. His laboratory investigates physiological and neurobehavioral responses to sleep loss using environmental isolation studies, field research, and neuroimaging.

Research Focus: Dr. Dinges' work examines the dynamic relationship between sleep need, circadian physiology, and waking functions including mood, cognition, endocrine responses, and immune function. His team specializes in identifying genetic biomarkers of vulnerability to sleep loss.

Recent Research Trends: Publications focus on occupational sleep medicine (shift workers, medical residents), molecular sleep markers, and neurocognitive impacts of sleep restriction. Key themes include microbiome interactions, suicide risk factors, and fatigue countermeasures.

Grants & Collaborations: Funded by NASA, NIH, and FAA for studies relevant to human spaceflight, aviation safety, and public health policy. Leads interdisciplinary teams in neurobehavioral technology development.