Rebecca Spencer

Director of Sleep Monitoring

Research in our lab broadly explores a range of questions pertaining to cognition and action and the intersection between them. We use a variety of techniques to explore how the brain learns cognitive and motor tasks and how this brain function changes over sleep.

Current Research
Sleep and memory are both processes that change over the lifespan.  In older adults, sleep quality decreases and memory impairments increase.  In one series of studies (funded by the National Institutes of Aging (NIA)), we are interested in whether these processes are related. On the other hand, preschool age children are highly plastic and nocturnal sleep is supplemented with a mid-day nap.  Whether this mid-day nap serves a memory function is important to early education policies.  This line of work is funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

In this work, we consider the neural underpinnings of learning and memory, for example, the role of the cerebellum in motor learning.  We use an array of tools to explore these questions.

Learn more at Somneurolab

Academic Background

• BS Hope College 1997
• PhD Purdue University 2002
• Postdoctoral Training: UC Berkeley, 2002-2007