Strategic Leadership: Moving Beyond the Lab
2026-01-21 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Online
This webinar, presented by the AASM Foundation Research Career Development Committee, will examine how academic researchers can intentionally prepare for and transition into leadership roles within academic medicine. Through candid personal experiences and practical guidance, panelists will address timing, readiness, and the challenges of moving beyond the lab into leadership. Attendees will leave with actionable insights into leadership development, mentorship, and institutional pathways that support long-term professional growth.
Moderators:
Yi Cai, MD
Kathleen Sarmiento, MD
Vaishnavi Kundel, MD
Panelists:
Dr. Jennifer Martin
Florida International University
Jennifer L. Martin holds a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of California, San Diego/San Diego State University Joint Doctoral Program. After her internship at Brown University, she completed post-doctoral training at the University of California, Los Angeles. She now serves as Professor and Director of the Benjamin Leon Jr. Family Center for Aging Research and Education at Florida International University, and as Director of the Miami VA’s Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center. Dr. Martin’s scientific research program focuses on improving sleep as a key component of maintaining and improving physical and mental health in older adults, women, and Veterans. Her work has been supported by NIH, VA, industry and non-profit foundations. Core areas of her work include developing and testing novel approaches to treating insomnia disorder, and in understanding how improved sleep leads to health benefits. Dr. Martin is a national leader in sleep medicine and research with a strong record of service and leadership. She served as the 2022-23 President of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and received the VA’s Health System Impact Award for 2024, recognizing the impact of her research on healthcare for Veterans.
Dr. Safwan Badr
Wayne State University
Dr. Badr is a Professor and Chair of Internal Medicine at Wayne State University School of Medicine and a Staff Physician at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center. Dr. Badr is an internationally recognized sleep disorders researcher and research mentor with an extensive record of securing funding, publishing research, and mentoring. Dr. Badr is committed to delivering outstanding medical education. He has mentored numerous trainees and junior faculty members who have gone on to launch successful academic careers. Dr. Badr has served on multiple national and international medical societies. He has served on the Board of Directors of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). He served as the President of the AASM from 2013 to 2014. Dr. Badr is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine and also serves on the Board of Directors for the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).
Dr. Sairam Parthasarathy
University of Arizona
Dr. Sairam Parthasarathy is the Murray and Clara Walker Endowed Chair, Professor and Chief of the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Founding Director of the Center for Sleep, Circadian and Neurosciences Research Center at the University of Arizona, and Deputy Director for the SW-CACTI (CTSA Award to University of Arizona and University of New Mexico). He has a broad background in translational and clinical research with emphasis on intervention-based approaches in sleep, COVID, and health disparities. He has published over 220 manuscripts in JAMA, Annals of Internal Medicine, JAMA Neurology, American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, etc. He is board-certified in Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine and practices at Banner University Medical Center Tucson, Arizona. He is passionate about training the next generation of researchers and is Contact PI on an NIH-R25 (R25HL126140-12) training grant for transitioning post-docs and junior faculty at the University of Arizona.
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Improving Recognition, Diagnosis, and Management of Pediatric Narcolepsy
2026-03-18 13:00 - 13:45 | Online
This grand round lecture will feature Kiran Maski, MD, MPH, in developing and implementing interventions to improve awareness, screening, and outcomes of children with narcolepsy type 1 and 2, in collaboration with patient advocacy organization, Wake Up Narcolepsy. Attendees of this seminar series will walk away with a better understanding of the sleep medicine practice and sleep health gaps. In addition, learn how the AASM Foundation and Wake Up Narcolepsy-funded work addressed these items through project findings.
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AASM Foundation Special Celebration
2026-04-20 18:00 - 21:00 | University Club of Chicago, 76 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL, 60603, United States
The AASM Foundation is pleased to invite you to a Special Celebration on Monday, April 20th, from 6:00–9:00 p.m. at the University Club of Chicago, held during this year’s AAN Meeting. Proudly sponsored by Mediqus Asset Advisors, the evening will honor the AASM’s milestone 50th anniversary and celebrate the collective achievements that continue to shape the future of sleep medicine.
This celebration will bring together colleagues, partners, and supporters to commemorate the people and programs that have driven extraordinary progress, and to look ahead to the next chapter of innovation and impact.
Attendance is complimentary. We are encouraging attendees to make a personal pledge to donate this year so the AASM Foundation can continue investing in Championing a Bright Future in Sleep Health.
If you have any questions about our celebration, please email giving@aasm.org or call us at 630-737-9793.

Webinar: Community and Patient Advocacy Program Opportunities
2026-05-06 13:00 - 13:45 | Online
Discover how the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) Foundation is advancing healthy sleep and expanding access to sleep disorder evaluation and treatment through impactful community and patient advocacy programs. In this webinar, you’ll explore the purpose of each program, the types of organizations best suited to apply, and how these initiatives support sleep health where people live, learn, work, and play. Walk away with a clear understanding of the application lifecycle and how to determine whether a program is the right fit for your organization.

SLEEP 2026 Monday Mentoring Hour Session
2026-06-15 14:00 - 15:00 | SLEEP 2026 Foundation Oasis Room (308) – Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W Pratt St,, Baltimore, MD, 21201, United States
Join the AASM Foundation for a Mentoring Hour session, where you’ll have the exclusive opportunity to meet one-on-one with a seasoned sleep professional. Whether you’re just starting out in the field, eager to expand your network, or seeking valuable career insights, this is your chance to get personalized guidance from an expert. This activity is open to undergraduates, medical and graduate students, non-physician sleep team members, residents, fellows, and junior faculty members. Participants can select their preferred mentor and provide a list of questions and/or topics in advance of the session. Light snacks/refreshments will be available. Advance registration is required – reserve your spot today!

SLEEP 2026 Women’s Sleep Health Session
2026-06-15 15:30 - 17:30 | SLEEP 2026, One West Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, United States
Join the AASM Foundation at SLEEP 2026 for a special session on women’s sleep health titled:
S-07 Women’s Sleep Health From Preconception to Postpartum: Insights from AASM Foundation Projects on Monday, June 15 at 3:30 pm-5:30 pm EDT in Room 314.
Overview
In 2025, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) launched an initiative to understand and advance sleep health in women, recognizing the unique physiological, hormonal, psychosocial, and environmental factors that shape sleep in women. This symposium builds on that initiative by showcasing four AASM Foundation-funded projects that explore sleep health during critical reproductive transitions from preconception through postpartum. The research supported by the AASM Foundation has examined how sleep influences fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and maternal mental health. These studies have led to the development of novel preconception and pregnancy intervention strategies that can be further explored for integration into health care settings, with the potential to improve outcomes for women and their newborns.
The symposium will also highlight translational research linking prenatal sleep disturbances to fetal stress physiology and how maternal sleep plays a foundational role in shaping early-life trajectories. In the postpartum period, circadian-based interventions (wearable light therapy) are being evaluated for their potential to reduce depressive symptoms and support maternal recovery. Collectively, these studies demonstrate the value of sleep-focused research in reproductive health and underscore the importance of continued support and exploration in this area.
Featuring

Slow-wave Activity as a Candidate Biomarker and Interventional Target in Infertility presented by Jennifer Goldschmied, PhD
Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Pregnancy; Challenges and Recommendations for Screening presented by Louise M. O’Brien, PhD, MS
Intricate Relation Between Prenatal Maternal Sleep and Depression and Associations with Offspring Stress Physiology presented by Melissa Nevarez-Brewster
Wearable Morning Light Therapy for Depression: Mood, Sleep and Circadian Impacts by Leslie M. Swanson, PhD

SLEEP 2026 Tuesday Mentoring Hour Session
2026-06-16 07:00 - 08:00 | SLEEP 2026 Foundation Oasis Room (308) – Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W Pratt St,, Baltimore, MD, 21201, United States

Collaborative Partnerships to Advance Sleep Medicine Research
2026-06-16 09:00 - 10:00 | SLEEP 2026 Foundation Oasis Room (308) – Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W Pratt St,, Baltimore, MD, 21201, United States
Join the Research Career Development Committee for an engaging session focused on practical strategies to build and sustain effective multi-institution collaborations. Whether you are forming new partnerships or strengthening existing ones, this session will provide insights to help position your team for competitive, large-scale funding opportunities. Attendees will learn about different partnership models, approaches to aligning goals and expectations across institutions, and key considerations for coordinating complex, multi-site efforts. The session will also highlight actionable tips for developing a strong, unified, and compelling proposal that stands out in today’s competitive funding landscape.
Panelists:

Ankit Parekh, PhD Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Sairam Parthasarathy, MD University of Arizona, Tucson College of Medicine
Susan Redline, MD, MPH Harvard Medical School
Kimberly Sterling, PharmD ResMed Foundation

No registration is required—simply add this session to your schedule in the SLEEP app so you don’t miss it!

AASM Foundation Impact Mixer
2026-06-16 15:30 - 17:00 | SLEEP 2026 Foundation Oasis Room (308) – Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W Pratt St,, Baltimore, MD, 21201, United States
Join us for a special invite-only event hosted by the AASM Foundation! The Impact Mixer will bring together current and past grant recipients, dedicated volunteers, generous donors, and friends of the Foundation to celebrate the collective efforts that are Championing a Bright Future in Sleep Health.
This special event will include:

Opening remarks from AASM Foundation leadership and 2025-2026 highlights
A special moment honoring donors and mentors
A Research Mentor Award panel with inspiring reflections from award recipient
Recognition of Trainee Investigator Award recipients
Presentation of the Sleep Champion Award
Time to mix and mingle with recipients, volunteers, donors, and Foundation friends over light refreshments and hors d’oeuvres

Whether you’re reconnecting or meeting someone new, this is an excellent opportunity to strengthen our community and share in the collective impact of our work.
This event is made possible through the generous support from Takeda.

SLEEP 2026 Wednesday Mentoring Hour Session
2026-06-17 07:00 - 08:00 | SLEEP 2026 Foundation Oasis Room (308) – Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W Pratt St,, Baltimore, MD, 21201, United States

Healthy from the Start: Co-Designing Sleep Health Resources for Young Shiftworkers
2026-06-24 17:00 - 17:45 | MD
This grand round lecture will feature Grace Vincent, PhD, in exploring sleep health challenges and risks among young shift workers and the development of practical, evidence-based resources through a participatory co-design process with industry partners. Attendees of this seminar series will walk away with a better understanding of the gaps in delivering accessible, age-appropriate sleep health education for this population. In addition, learn how AASM Foundation-funded work translated research findings into real-world tools now available through the Healthy Shiftwork website.
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Mid/Senior Career Researcher Program Opportunities
2026-07-15 13:00 - 13:45 | Online
Discover how the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) Foundation supports mid/senior career sleep researchers through grant programs designed to advance sleep and circadian research. In this webinar, you’ll explore the purpose of each program, key differences in funding and eligible topics, and what to expect throughout the application, review, and post-award process. Whether you’re considering applying now or planning ahead, this session will help you make informed decisions and strengthen your path to funding.
Register Now
