Helen J Burgess, PhD
Richard Tam Bipolar and Circadian Research Professor
Professor of Psychiatry
Medical School
University of Michigan
Rachel Upjohn Building
Sleep and Circadian Research Laboratory, 4250 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2700
[email protected]
Rachel Upjohn Building
Sleep and Circadian Research Laboratory, 4250 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2700
Available to mentor
Helen J Burgess, PhD
Professor
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About
I am a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Co-Director of the Sleep and Circadian Research Laboratory at the University of Michigan. My scientific research examines basic sleep and circadian rhythm mechanisms and also sleep and circadian rhythms in the context of various clinical disorders including alcohol use disorders, autism, bipolar disorder, chronic pain, depression, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, HIV, jet lag, migraine, shift work, sleep disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. I also study how light and melatonin can be used to improve sleep and circadian adaptation to help optimize health and relieve symptom burden. I have developed a method to facilitate accurate measurement of circadian timing in the home environment with appropriate measures of compliance. My research is supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health.
Qualifications
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Postdoctoral Research FellowshipRush University Medical Center, Chicago, United States
2000 - 2022
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Postdoctoral Research FellowshipUniversity of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
1998 - 2000
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PhD, Department of Psychology, Thesis: "Sleep and Circadian Influences on Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System Activity", supervised by Dr. John TrinderUniversity of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
1995 - 1998
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BSc, Honours (First Class), Department of Psychology, Thesis: "Autonomic Nervous System Activity during NREM Sleep and Wakefulness", supervised by Dr. John TrinderUniversity of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
1991 - 1994
Center Memberships
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Center MemberEisenberg Family Depression Center
Research Overview
- Sleep and circadian rhythms
- Chronic pain
- Alcohol use disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- HIV
Recent Publications
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Wislocki K, Naderi G, Borelli JL, Pollack M, Granger DA, Cenkner DP, Canady M, Burgess HJ, Zalta AK. JMIR Form Res, 2026 May 19; 10: e86025Journal ArticleDetection of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder With Rest-Activity Data: Machine Learning Approach Using Wearable and Self-Report Data.
DOI:10.2196/86025 PMID: PMC13186518 -
Carlson S, Burgess H, Appelhans B, Quinn L, Allen C, Reid K, Baron K. Sleep, 2026 May 10; 49 (Supplement_1): a7 - a7.Journal Article0015 Associations Between Bedtime Procrastination and Circadian Rest-Activity Rhythms Across One Year
DOI:10.1093/sleep/zsag091.0015 -
Su D, Jansen EC, Goldstein C, Cohen-Mekelburg S, Peterson K, Hudson E, Song P, Burgess H. Sleep, 2026 May 10; 49 (Supplement_1): a48 - a48.Journal Article0111 Later Circadian Timing of the Onset of Eating is Linked to Worse Inflammatory Bowel Disease Outcomes
DOI:10.1093/sleep/zsag091.0111 -
Medina-Poeliniz C, Burgess H, Carlson S, Appelhans B, Quinn L, Baron K. Sleep, 2026 May 10; 49 (Supplement_1): a433 - a434.Journal Article0973 Circadian Phase Drift and Sleep–Circadian Misalignment Predict Adiposity Changes Over One Year in Adults
DOI:10.1093/sleep/zsag091.0972 -
Su D, Goodrich JM, Lee JT, Dolinoy DC, Peterson KE, Chervin RD, Burgess HJ, Téllez-Rojo MM, Cantoral A, Torres-Olascoaga L, Tolentino M, Song PXK, O'Brien LM, Jansen EC. Sleep Medicine, 2026 May 1; 141:Journal ArticleCircadian gene expression in adolescents: Associations with concurrent circadian disruption and subsequent changes in cardiometabolic risk measures
DOI:10.1016/j.sleep.2026.108819 -
Gabbay V, Hills C, Cardozo F, Chance AB, Sharma A, Mowrey W, Baker Z, Qi Q, Burgess HJ, Berman JW, Gange SJ, Gustafson DR, Weber KM, French AL. Brain Behavior & Immunity - Health, 2026 Feb 17; 101199Journal ArticleThe kynurenine pathway in relation to depression and anhedonia symptom severity among women with HIV
DOI:10.1016/j.bbih.2026.101199 -
Micic G, Reynolds AC, Phillips AJK, Zee P, Richardson C, Burgess HJ, Lack L, Catcheside P, Goldstein CA, Scott H, Cain S, Adams R, Lovato N. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 2026 Feb 1; 102240Journal ArticleUnderstanding delayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSWPD): mechanisms, comorbidities, and evolving approaches to diagnosis and treatment
DOI:10.1016/j.smrv.2026.102240 -
Ricketts EJ, Rissman AJ, Swisher VS, Joyce DS, Colwell CS, Burgess HJ. Behav Sleep Med, 2025 Oct 9; 1 - 17.Journal ArticleA Case Series of Group Videoconference-Delivered Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy with Morning Light Therapy in Adolescents with Delayed Sleep Timing.
DOI:10.1080/15402002.2025.2569376 PMID: 41065206
Featured News & Stories
Department News
The 1 Small Change That Can Reset Your Sleep
Helen Burgess, Ph.D., was interviewed for this article published in Time
Department News
Want to Avoid Jet Lag? This Is the Best Time to Fly, Says a Sleep Scientist
Helen Burgess, Ph.D., was interviewed for this article published in Reader's Digest
Department News
The Science of Sleep
Learn from our sleep and circadian rhythm experts
Department News
What’s the Best Way to Wake Up?
Morning sunlight and consistent wake times support circadian health, says Dr. Helen Burgess—15 to 60 minutes of light exposure is beneficial.
Department News
2 new professorships in the Department of Psychiatry, made possible by the Richard Tam Foundation
Drs. Helen Burgess and Sarah Sperry named inaugural Tam Professors to advance bipolar research, thanks to support from the Richard Tam Foundation.
Research News
Exploring Lunar Cycling in Bipolar Disorder
Dr. Helen Burgess discusses the Prechter "Sleep Across the Seasons Study”.
