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.
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AUDREY STEGMAN
PhD Student
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 Candidate
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 Candidate
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!
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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.
ALISHA CHONG
Research Assistant
Hi, my name is Alisha! I graduated with a Biology degree at the University of Utah. 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.
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Alisha was funded through both the LEAP and UROP programs at the University of Utah to conduct her undergraduate research project.
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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.
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EVONNE HSU
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hello! My name is Evonne, and I am an undergraduate student majoring in kinesiology with a minor in nutrition. I joined the Sleep and Circadian Physiology Lab in Spring 2024. I am interested in how sleep impacts our health and hope to contribute to the team.
KATELYN BALLARD
Undergraduate Research Assistant
I am an undergraduate student at the University of Utah, majoring in Kinesiology. I joined the research lab at the beginning of the summer to gain hands-on experience and further my understanding of the field as I prepare for medical school. My academic interests are driven by a passion for health, fitness, and understanding the science behind human movement. In my free time, I enjoy spending time outdoors, reading, sewing, and challenging myself with unique sports like aerial silks and American Ninja Warrior.
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Katelyn is funded through UROP programs at the University of Utah to conduct her undergraduate research project.
MEREDY PARK
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hi I’m Meredy Park. I’m a senior at the University of Utah, majoring in Kinesiology. I’m from Washington state where I learned to love hiking. Here at the research lab I’m hoping to expand my hands-on experience and gain an inside perspective to the research world. I love exploring new topics, and diving deeper into old ones. I hope to always be a lifelong learner!
BRYAN DAVIS
Undergraduate Research Assistant
My name is Bryan Davis, and I'm a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Health and Kinesiology and minoring in Chemistry. I'm originally from Gaithersburg, Maryland, but I grew up in Gilbert, Arizona, and have called Utah home since my junior year of high school. Growing up, I was always involved in sports which is where my passion for both living and learning about health began. I joined this lab to gain a better understanding of the role sleep plays in overall health and well-being.
KAYLEE NAUGHTEN
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hi! My name is Kaylee Naughten. I joined the lab in November 2024. I am currently a junior studying health and kinesiology with an honors minor in ecology. I love being able to learn about how sleep affects overall health and the process of conducting research! I hope to attend medical school in the future. In my free time I enjoy skiing, hiking, trail running, and making jewelry.
MADI PALMER
Undergraduate Research Assistant
My name is Madi Palmer and I am a junior at the University of Utah. I am studying biochemistry with plans to apply to medical school. I joined the lab in fall 2024 to gain more knowledge about the impact sleep has on our health and well being.
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TRISHA NGUYEN
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hey! My name is Trisha Nguyen and I’m currently a senior studying health and kinesiology with a minor in pediatrics clinical research. I joined this lab because I’m very interested in the intricate connections between sleep and overall well-being!
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GARRETT PHAM
Undergraduate Research Assistant
I am a Health & Kinesiology major and minoring in Nutrition. I have an emphasis on Pre-PA and hope to become a PA in the future! I joined the sleep lab because I grew in a household of night owls. A lot of important people in my life, as well as I, have an atypical sleeping and eating schedule so this research was very interesting and applicable to my life.