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Wright, Kenneth P

Professor

Positions

Research Areas research areas

Research

research overview

  • Prof. Wright's research has contributed to our understanding of the physiology of sleep and circadian rhythms in humans, explaining the health and safety consequences of sleep loss and circadian misalignment—such as metabolic dysregulation and impaired cognition—and applying that knowledge to improve public health and safety. His research also aims to test countermeasure and treatment strategies to promote optimal sleep, wakefulness, and health in a variety of circumstances in which sleep deprivation and circadian misalignment occur (e.g., insufficient sleep, shift work, jet lag, aging, insomnia, sustained and continuous work operations, space missions, and circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders).

keywords

  • Sleep Physiology, Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders, Energy Metabolism, Cognition, Human Performance, Health and Safety

Publications

selected publications

Teaching

courses taught

  • IPHY 4010 - Seminar in Integrative Physiology
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2022
    Introduces a small group of students to current research topics in integrative physiology, evaluation of current research and discussion of critical issues. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours when topics vary. Recommended prerequisite: Statistics course (IPHY 3280 or EBIO 1010 or MATH 2510 or PSYC 2111 or SOCY 2061).
  • IPHY 4580 - Sleep Physiology
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
    Describes the physiology, neurobiology, and functions of sleep and circadian rhythms; explains the impact of sleep and circadian rhythms, as well as sleep and circadian disruptions and disorders on immune, endocrine, thermoregulatory, cardiovascular, respiratory, and neural systems; examines changes in sleep and circadian rhythms across the life span. The integrative nature of sleep and circadian rhythms in normal physiological and cognitive functions and their importance in health and disease processes will be emphasized. All registration restrictions will be strictly enforced by the department. Recommended prerequisites: Statistics course (IPHY 3280 or EBIO 1010 or MATH 2510 or PSYC 2111 or SOCY 2061). Same as IPHY 5580.
  • IPHY 4870 - Honors Thesis
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2024
    An opportunity for students enrolled in the IPHY Honors program to earn academic credit for working on their thesis. Twenty-five hours of work is required for each hour of academic credit given. Consult for faculty mentor for approval. Recommended prerequisites: IPHY 3700; and IPHY 4850 (taken concurrently).
  • IPHY 4930 - Internship
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2019 / Fall 2019 / Spring 2020
    Offers upper-division students practical experience in laboratory, clinical, and field settings with direct supervision Students can earn 1 credit for every 45 hours of intern work. Consult with departmental internship coordinator for approval. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Department enforced prerequisite: Cumulative GPA of 2.0 and completion of two upper-division IPHY courses.
  • IPHY 5580 - Sleep Physiology
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
    Describes the physiology, neurobiology, physiology and functions neurobiology of sleep and circadian rhythms; explains the impact of sleep, sleep deprivation, and circadian rhythms, as well as sleep and circadian disruptions and disorders on immune, endocrine, thermoregulatory, cardiovascular, respiratory, and and neural systems; systems, as well as examines changes in sleep and circadian rhythms across the the life span. The integrative nature of sleep and circadian rhythms in normal physiological and cognitive functions and their importance in health and disease processes will be emphasized. Department enforced prerequisite: statistics equivalent. Same as IPHY 4580.
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