The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) ’s Young Investigators Conference is “designed to allow early-career scientists to share emerging research in sleep and sleep-related fields,” reads the NSF’s website.

Out of 106 abstracts submitted, 16 young finalists, who received their doctoral degrees within the last 5 years, were chosen to attend the conference in Washington, DC. Eight finalists were chosen for each of two categories, clinical research and basic research.

At the conference, all 16 participants made oral presentations to a panel of experts and an audience. A winner and runner-up for each division was chosen.

The first place award for basic research went to Tracy Rupp, MD, for her research titled, "Sleep Extension Improves Performance and Facilitates Task Acquisition During and Following 7 Nights of Subsequent Sleep Restriction.” Her research showed that the recuperative value of extended sleep is stored until it is needed during subsequent sleep restriction.

Frank Scheer, MD, won the award in the clinical research division for his work, “Circadian and Sleep/Wake Cycle Effects on Metabolic, Autonomic, and Endocrine Predictors of Cardiovascular Risk; Health Implications for Shift Workers.” Sheer won an award of the same title from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine in 2007 for a different abstract.

Both winners will receive a week-long visit to the CDC in Atlanta, in addition to a small monetary award.