OUR TEAM
CHRISTOPHER DEPNER PHD
Principle Investigator
Dr. Depner completed his PhD in Human Nutrition at Oregon State University followed by postdoctoral work in sleep and circadian physiology under the guidance of Dr. Kenneth Wright at the University of Colorado Boulder. While in these positions Dr. Depner developed expertise in nutritional biochemistry, metabolomics, and human clinical translational sleep and circadian studies. Dr. Depner's research program integrates his background and training to conduct rigorous human clinical translational sleep and circadian protocols to understand how the interactions between sleep and circadian physiology and nutrition contribute to metabolic health.
AUDREY STEGMAN
Research Assistant
I started working for the lab in December 2020 after graduating from the University of Utah where I majored in Kinesiology and minored in Modern dance, Chemistry, and Pediatric Clinical research.
MISIA KUBICKI
PhD Student
Misia’s interest in sleep research began when she began working as an undergraduate volunteer at the University of Colorado Boulder Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory in 2018. After graduating in 2020 with a B.A. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and spending some time working as a professional research assistant at the lab, she is excited to pursue a Ph.D. in the field. Her research interests include molecular biomarkers associated with sleep activity and effects of sleep and circadian misalignment on human metabolism.
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GRACE ZIMMERMAN
PhD Student
Grace started working in the Sleep and Circadian Rhythm lab in 2021 as a Graduate Research Assistant. Her undergraduate and masters work included research in exercise and nutrition working with various populations from athletes to individuals with metabolic disorders. As a current PhD student, her research includes evaluating the impact of sleep duration on energy intake, energy expenditure and overall human metabolism.
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TORI MIRANDA
Study Coordinator
My name is Tori Miranda and I am a study coordinator for the Health and Kinesiology Department at the University of Utah working with both Dr. Chris Depner and Dr. Tanya Halliday. I joined the team in June 2022 after previously working as a study coordinator in Kinesiology at the University of Michigan and University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). I received my bachelor’s in Exercise Science at Salisbury University, my master’s in Kinesiology at UIC, and am an ACSM certified Exercise Physiologist. My research interests include using practical lifestyle modifications, such as exercise and diet, as a means to improve one’s healthspan. In my spare time, I enjoy chasing around my daughter and my dogs and playing in the mountains.
TYLER MARSHALL
Study Coordinator
My name is Tyler Marshall and I am a Study Coordinator in the Sleep and Circadian Physiology Lab. I joined the lab in August 2023 after working as a Study Coordinator at the University of Vermont on Cystic Fibrosis research studies. I graduated from the University of Vermont in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. In my free time, I enjoy mountain biking, running, skiing, and hiking.
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KIANA SHAMS
Study Coordinator
My name is Kiana Shams, and I am a Clinical Research Coordinator in the Sleep and Circadian Physiology Lab working with Dr. Depner. I majored in Biology and minored in Psychology. I enjoy dancing, listening to music, reading, watching movies, and rollerblading!
GRACE JOHNSON
Volunteer Research Assistant
Howdy! My name is Grace and I started helping in the lab April 2023 to get research experience and credits to finish my bachelors degree! I've now completed two bachelor of science degrees at the U, one in Health Policy and the other in Human Development. I love research and love gaining research experience!
I chose to work in this lab after reading the book Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker and was inspired to learn more about what happens to the body with and without sleep! In the future I hope to use what I've learned to study the correlation between cancer risk and decreased sleep amount.
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SEAN DE OLIVEIRA
Clinical Research Coordinator
My name is Sean and I am a Study Coordinator for the Sleep and Circadian Physiology Lab at the University of Utah. I joined Dr. Depner’s team in February 2023 after graduating from the U with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. When I am not working, I am usually practicing parkour, lifting, riding, or playing games.
HAILEE FELL
Undergraduate Research Assistant
I am majoring in biology with a minor in Chemistry and Spanish. I recently joined the sleep lab during the summer of 2022. I want to learn more about how sleep (or no sleep) impacts our health and the neurological components of the body.
Hailee is funded through the LEAP program at University of Utah to conduct her undergraduate research project.
ALISHA CHONG
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hi, my name is Alisha! I am an undergraduate student at the University of Utah majoring in Biology. I joined the Sleep and Circadian Physiology Lab in the summer of 2021. I am interested in how increasing sleep duration may impact aspects of our health such as blood pressure and insulin sensitivity and am currently working towards completing an Honors Thesis on the subject. In my free time, I enjoy drawing and listening to music.
Alisha is funded through both the LEAP and UROP programs at the University of Utah to conduct her undergraduate research project.
SOPHIA LOOSE
Undergraduate Research Assistant
I joined the sleep lab as a freshman. I'm majoring in Biology with a minor in German. I'm interested in further understanding the effects of sleep deprecation on the body, and some of my roles include screening potential candidates.
DIANE GILES
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hi! My name is Diane, and I am currently a Biology major minoring in Chemistry and a pre-professional in Pharmacy. I joined the University of Utah Sleep and Physiology Lab the summer of 2022 through LEAP Health Sciences. I look forward to contributing towards the study as well as learning more about the effects of poor sleep and circadian misalignment. During my free time I love to go to the gym, shop, read, and spend time with my loved ones.
Diane is funded through the LEAP program at University of Utah to conduct her undergraduate research project.
ANNIE BOLGER
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hello! My name’s Annie and I joined the Sleep and Physiology Lab as a sophomore in December 2022. I am majoring in kinesiology at the U with the goal of becoming an athletic trainer. I love to learn about the human body and how it works, which is why I love working at this lab.
ELLY LAMONTE
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hello! My name is Elly and I joined the Sleep and Physiology Lab in December of 2022. I am a member of the Honors College and am majoring in kinesiology and hope to attend occupational therapy school after graduation. I believe sleep is an important aspect of our lives and I love learning more about the factors that affect it!
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EMERSON BARROW
Undergraduate Research Assistant
My name is Emerson Barrow, I am an undergrad research assistant. I am a biology and health and kinesiology major and a third year at the U! I’m from Phoenix, Arizona, love being outdoors, playing any and all sports, and have a slight shoe obsession.
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BROOKLYNN HEATH
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hi! My name is Brooklynn Heath. I joined the sleep lab in August 2023. I am currently a sophomore studying biology and hoping to attend medical school after graduating. I want to learn more about how sleep has an impact on overall health.
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CECILIA PHILLIPS
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hello! My name is Cecilia. I am majoring in Biomedical Engineering. I joined the Sleep and Physiology Lab as a Freshman in the Fall of 2023. I love learning about our brains and how we work, and the way sleep can impact our body. This lab teaches me something new every day and I enjoy working with all the amazing people here.
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CALEB MCKINLEY
Undergraduate Research Assistant
I joined the sleep lab in August 2023 as an undergraduate student majoring in Kinesiology. I am currently pursuing graduate school in physical therapy and am looking to further my work in health clinically. I desire to learn more about the effects sleep has on physiology function and how to use this knowledge to improve health and wellness. In my free time I play games, listen to music, and read.
CHANNING LOMAX
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hello, my name is Channing Lomax. I am an undergrad majoring in psychology with a minor in nutrition. I joined the Sleep and Circadian Physiology lab at the start of the Fall 2023 semester. I want to pursue a career in nutrition and find interest in the effects that sleep has on our health. I am from Heber City, Utah and I love spending time outdoors.
VICTORIA CERRATO
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hello! My name is Victoria and I began working in the lab in 2023 to gain research experience for graduate school. I have now completed my Bachelor of Science from the University of Utah in Health, Society and Policy with a minor in Ethnic Studies and I currently attend SLCC where I am working towards an Associates Degree in Biology. Additionally, I work as a Medical Assistant for the U of U School of Medicine in their Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep Clinic. As such, I chose to work in this lab to gain more knowledge about the different factors that can impact sleep and apply this when working with patients at my job. When I am not at work or school I love being outdoors, enjoying nature and doing activities such as hiking, running, or paddle boarding!