Michael Perlis

Michael Perlis, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania and the Director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program. He holds a secondary appointment in the School of Nursing and has authored over 100 publications on sleep disorders.

• Specializes in insomnia and Behavioral Sleep Medicine (BSM)
• Co-developer of the first BSM textbook and CBT-I treatment manual
• Conducts annual CBT-I workshops globally
• International leader in sleep research and training

Research Focus:
Dr. Perlis investigates insomnia's neurocognitive mechanisms, cortical arousal theories, sleep homeostasis, and the role of insomnia as a risk factor for depression and suicide. His work integrates behavioral approaches, placebo conditioning, and comparative efficacy of sleep treatments.

Scientific Contributions:

• NIH-funded research (4 R01s, 3 R21s, 1 R03)
• Founded the Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine
• Developed CBT-I training programs and mini-fellowships
• Editorial roles at major sleep journals

Mentorship: Dr. Perlis has mentored 95 trainees across all academic levels, including notable researchers like Sean Drummond PhD and Sheila Garland PhD. His training programs have reached professionals in England, Sweden, South Africa, Israel, Korea, and Japan.