Phyllis Zee facts for kids

Phyllis C. Zee is a top expert in the field of neurology, which is the study of the brain and nervous system. She is a professor and leads important centers at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University in Chicago. Dr. Zee helps people understand how sleep and our body's internal clock affect our health. She also works as the medical director at the Sleep Disorders Center at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Understanding Sleep and Our Body Clock

As the director of the Center for Circadian and Sleep Medicine (CCSM), Dr. Zee guides a team of scientists. They study how sleep and our body's natural daily rhythms, called circadian rhythms, work. Their discoveries have led to new ways to improve how we sleep and how our body clocks function.

Leading Research and Care

Dr. Zee started the very first clinic in the United States focused on circadian medicine. In this special clinic, patients with problems related to their body clocks can find new and helpful treatments.

How Sleep Affects Health

A main goal of Dr. Zee's research is to understand how sleep and body rhythms affect our health. She looks at how they influence heart and metabolism issues, and brain disorders. Her team also studies how aging and brain diseases like neurodegeneration change sleep patterns.

Her laboratory also explores how things like exercise, bright light, and eating schedules can help. They want to see if these actions can improve thinking, heart health, and metabolism. They also study if these actions can slow down aging and brain decline. Recently, her team has been looking at using sounds and electrical signals to improve deep sleep and memory in older adults.

Helping Patients with Sleep Problems

Dr. Zee has written over 300 articles, reviews, and book chapters. These writings cover topics like sleep, circadian rhythms, and sleep disorders. She has also taught and guided more than 50 students and many other faculty members.

Sharing Knowledge and Guiding Others

Dr. Zee is a respected member of several important groups. These include the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Neurology. She has also served on many national and international committees. She was the past president of the Sleep Research Society. She also led the Sleep Research Society Foundation.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Zee has received special honors for her work. In 2011, she won the American Academy of Neurology Sleep Science Award. In 2014, she received the William C. Dement Academic Achievement Award. This is a top academic honor from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.