Required Seminars and Lectures

The primary goal of this seminar series is to provide overall exposure to the protocols, preceptors, and methodology presently available in the units represented in this Training Program. Each month one of the preceptors or associate preceptors presents a research seminars intended to give an overview of their current research focus. Each seminar lasts 1.5 hours and is aimed at trainee level. Typically a classic paper is presented, techniques specific to the preceptor’s laboratory are introduced, a synopsis of recent results from the preceptor’s laboratory are presented, and a critique and discussion of the implications of the research with involvement of the trainees. Thus, this seminar series covers the whole range of research encompassed by the Training Program, and aids the trainees in selecting laboratories for their research rotations and/or a laboratory for their primary research focus/thesis work. 

A didactic series of lectures for established investigators and clinicians that covers research in both basic and clinical aspects of sleep and sleep disorders, and in patient-oriented research evaluations of clinical treatment options for sleep disorders. Occasionally, trainees are invited to present their research to this forum if it represents a substantive body of work (all trainees do present their work in an additional seminar series). Sleep Grand Rounds facilitates interaction between researchers and practitioners within the field, fostering collaborative and cooperative efforts. Presentations are scheduled once per month on Mondays from noon to 1:15 p.m., with a balance of research (patient-oriented and basic science) presentations. Sleep Grand Rounds is currently approved for one hour of Category 1 Continuing Medical Education credit, and it is broadcast from Brigham & Women’s Hospital via video-conferencing to numerous remote sites across North America (e.g., Massachusetts General Hospital; Brown University [Mary Carskadon]; University of Arizona [Dr. Janis Anderson], and University of Colorado, Boulder [Kenneth Wright]) and internationally.

This research seminar forms the basis for interchange of progress among the trainees. During these seminars, trainees present research in progress and also have the opportunity to interact with individuals from other disciplines. These seminars serve to maintain a high level of awareness of work being pursued in the various laboratories of the participants in this training program and permit constructive criticism of data being presented. They also provide a forum for the trainees to receive instruction in the presentation of their research findings at seminars and national meetings. Each trainee makes a presentation at this seminar series each year. The program coordinator develops a schedule for these seminars annually, with the trainees' input.