The Sleep Disorders Research Unit (SDRU) is comprised of dedicated professionals focusing on clinical and translational research of sleep disorders. Our team is committed to advancing the field of sleep research through various clinical trials and investigator-initiated studies aimed at achieving a greater understanding of sleep.
Study Doctors
Diego Mazzotti, Ph.D.
Dr. Diego Mazzotti is an assistant professor in the Division of Medical Informatics, Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He is also the Interim Division Chief of the Division of Medical Informatics. Dr. Mazzotti received his Ph.D. in psychobiology at the Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil and a certificate in biomedical informatics from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. Dr. Mazzotti's current research interests focus on the application of innovative methods to the analysis of high-dimensional physiological, behavioral, genetic and epidemiological data in sleep and sleep disorders to understand how they can be translated into clinical knowledge and into applications that can advance health care. Such methods include supervised and unsupervised machine learning, data integration and harmonization and development of tools that facilitate clinical research with the potential to impact clinical care. Dr. Mazzotti serves as Principal Investigator for the majority of IITs within the SDRU.
Damien Stevens, M.D., M.S.
Dr. Damien Stevens is an associate professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He is also the Sleep Lab medical director and program director for the Sleep Medicine Fellowship Program at KU Medical Center. Dr. Stevens earned his medical degree from and completed his residency at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. His fellowship was completed at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Stevens has been involved with research for 30 years and completed a master of science in clinical research. Currently, Dr. Stevens' interests are in predictors of CPAP compliance and effectiveness of weight loss interventions. Dr. Stevens is currently the Principal Investigator on several clinical trials for sleep disorders at KU Medical Center.
Sub-Investigators
- Sowjanya Duthuluru, M.D.
- Usman Nazir, M.D.
- Saurav Luthra, M.D.
- Nancy Stewart, D.O., MS
- Jennifer Liebenthal, M.D.
Study Staff
- Nick Pfeiff, CCRP, supervising coordinator
- Julianna McKee, M.S., clinical research coordinator
- Whitney Theis, clinical research coordinator
- Jared Heavens, clinical research assistant