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Dr. Diering is a neurobiologist and biochemist focused on understanding the different mechanisms that neurons use to sleep. In one process, neurons change their synapses to accommodate the formation of memories. In another simultaneous process, synaptic plasticity supports the conservation of neuronal metabolism and “recharging”—which is critically important for cognition and behavior. Graham uses sophisticated biochemistry and genetic animal model behavior studies to map the neuronal circuits and molecular pathways that underlie these different types of sleep. His work has very important implications for sleep disorders, and particularly those related to neurodevelopmental disorders with aberrant sleep, such as Rhett syndrome and Autism spectrum disorders.

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