This month, we shine a spotlight on Rebecca Dawson, research assistant and PhD student, whose research interests include; sleep science, health and well-being, behavioural interventions for lifestyle-related health outcomes and management of long-term health conditions.
Three words to describe her work: Meaningful. Exciting. Fascinating.
Rebecca Dawson is a research assistant and PhD student whose passion for discovery and curiosity about the human mind and body have shaped her journey into research. For Rebecca, research is more than just a profession; it’s a way to make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
“I was drawn to research because it’s the foundation of everything we know and do,” she explains. “The idea that our work today can shape understanding and improve people’s lives really inspired me.”
Rebecca’s current focus lies within sleep and circadian rhythm research, an area that continues to captivate scientists and the public alike. She is part of the CHiP-D project, which explores the dynamic relationship between circadian biomarkers, sleep, cognition, and mental health. Her PhD work builds on this, examining how circadian misalignment affects emotion and cognition, and how these impacts differ between standard and shift workers.
A career highlight so far has been her involvement in sleep research, where every new finding deepens our understanding of how vital rest is to our overall well-being. One of the most striking insights from her work is that you can’t simply “catch up” on lost sleep; extra rest on days off doesn’t fully reverse the negative effects of disrupted sleep patterns.
Rebecca hopes her research will contribute to healthier workplaces and more sustainable work practices. “While we know sleep is important, there are still misconceptions about what makes good sleep and how much poor sleep can affect our mood and performance,” she says.
“In the future, I hope to use this research to help inform organisations on how they can better support employees.”
Although she has not yet published her own papers, Rebecca has several in the pipeline. One key term to watch for is “Micro goals.”
Her advice to aspiring researchers is simple yet powerful: “Stay curious.”
Outside of the lab, Rebecca enjoys cooking, baking, and running, all activities that, much like her research, keep her balanced and energised.