Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
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Lighting and Health

Light-based Circadian Rhythm Control

My interest in lighting and health involves using light to regulate circadian rhythm, and in turn sleep and alertness.  We use simplified empirical models to characterize circadian rhythm, including nonlinear oscillators and phase reduced models, apply optimal control to analyze the best way to shift circadian phases or maximize alertness.

Research Theme: 
Light

Current Lighting and Health Projects

A Quantitative Approach to the Biochronicity of Circadian Rhythm, Sleep, and Neurobehavioral Performance
circadian rhythm
The goal of the project is to determine personalized optimal strategies for circadian rhythm regulation and scheduling of tasks and sleep to optimize mental performance of mission performers. Towards this goal, this project will focus on four directions of research: 1. Analyzing mathematical models that include both circadian and sleep processes. 2. Developing optimal algorithms for entrainment. 3. Developing optimal strategies for maximizing mental alertness during critical missions. 4. Developing state estimation algorithms that will allow for the implementation of the optimal strategies in the closed-loop.