Meet the Team

by Alice Braga, Ph.D. | Sleep Research Network

Introducing Rachel Manber, Ph.D., Professor at Stanford Medicine

A pioneer in behavioral sleep medicine, Dr. Rachel Manber has dedicated her career to advancing non-drug treatments for sleep disorders across the lifespan.

Highlights of her work:

  • Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford School of Medicine
  • Co-director of the Stanford Center for Sleep and Circadian Sciences Clinical Research (CSCS), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford Medicine
  • Director of the Stanford Seep Health and Insomnia Program (SHIP)
  • Principal investigator on numerous clinical and translational studies, funded by NIMH, NIA, NINR, NLHBI, and AHRQ
  • Chair of Insomnia Section Workgroup for ICSD-3TR

Research Focus:

  • Over 30 years of experience of research on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for insomnia in a variety of populations
  • Development and evaluation of national program for dissemination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for insomnia to licensed clinicians
  • Stepped-care strategies for increasing access to evidence-based care for chronic insomnia utilizing therapist and digital delivery interventions
  • Special interest in complex cases involving comorbid conditions, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and hypnotic dependence

Clinical Contributions:

  • Specializes in diagnosing and treating sleep difficulties in children, adolescents, and adults using non-pharmacological interventions
  • Insomnia
  • Circadian rhythm sleep wake disorders
  • Nightmare disorder and other parasomnias
  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Behavioral strategies for CPAP adherence
  • Support taper / discontinuation of sleep medications

Educational Contributions:

  • Principle investigator of an NIH funded T32 training grant – focused on clinical research
  • Primary mentor of junior sleep researcher and their career development
  • Training clinician in behavioral sleep medicine
  • Committed to mentoring future leaders in sleep psychology

To learn more about the Sleep Research Network (SRN), contact Melissa McKinzie at coordinator@srsnet.org.