Research Interests
Neuroscience
Research Statement
The reason(s) for why we sleep remain a scientific mystery, a surprising fact considering the vast amount of time this state takes from our lives. My research focuses on understanding the role of sleep in modifying, reorganizing and enhancing human memories, as well as modulating our emotional reactivity. These investigations use a range of techniques, from psychological tests to MRI brain imaging, as well as keeping college students up for 80hr straight! Matthew Walker earned his Ph.D. in neuropsychology from the Medical Research Council in London, UK, in 1999. Following stints as a postdoctoral fellow and instructor in psychiatry and psychology, he became an assistant professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School in 2004, where he is currently director of the Sleep and Neuroimaging Laboratory.
