Conceptual images provided by Corgan
Center for BrainHealth and The University of Texas at Dallas are pioneering a new approach to sleep research with the launch of the Sleep Innovation Laboratories, a visionary research initiative uniting science, technology and human performance to unlock the transformative power of sleep on brain health. Spearheading this initiative is internationally acclaimed neuroscientist and sleep expert Matthew Walker, PhD, who joins January 1, 2026, as the laboratories’ inaugural director and professor of neuroscience and bioengineering at UT Dallas’ School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences and Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science.Dr. Walker is a former professor at Harvard Medical School and at UC Berkeley, where he also led the Center for Human Sleep Science. His research examines the impact of sleep on human health and disease; he has published more than 100 peer-reviewed studies.“”
“We know that sleep is a foundational element of brain health, fueling our ability to engage, perform and thrive,” said Sandra Bond Chapman, PhD, chief director at Center for BrainHealth. “With access to the world’s largest brain health data set – gathered through our landmark longitudinal study, The BrainHealth Project – we look forward to novel discoveries from Dr. Walker related to the role of sleep as well as interventions that will make a real difference in people’s lives.”
Dr. Walker has received numerous funding awards from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. He is a Kavli Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, and his 2018 book, Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams, is an international bestseller. In 2020 he received the Carl Sagan Prize for Science Achievements.In his new roles, he will aggregate innovations across neuroscience, biomedical engineering, technology and data science into a new, integrated approach to sleep research. “”
“Center for BrainHealth is pioneering a radical shift – from treating brain disease to cultivating brain health,” Walker said. “That philosophy resonates deeply with my own vision: that sleep is not a passive state, but a powerful tool for enhancing cognition, emotional resilience, longevity and creativity.“And where better to do this than Dallas – a city that’s unapologetically bold, bursting with innovation and eager to lead the next frontier of human performance?”
Located within Center for BrainHealth, the Sleep Innovation Laboratories are uniquely poised to bridge foundational neuroscience with real-world application. The center has long championed the brain’s ability to change, adapt and thrive. With this bold new venture, sleep research becomes a critical pillar of lifelong cognitive vitality.Fundraising for the Sleep Innovation Laboratories is ongoing, and Walker’s appointment and the launch of this endeavor are made possible thanks to private philanthropy. The partnership between the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences and the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science at UT Dallas creates a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment where neuroscientists, data scientists and engineers will collaborate to develop new tools, technologies and protocols to measure and improve sleep quality and its impact on the brain.With this significant new venture, Center for BrainHealth continues its mission to deliver science-based strategies that strengthen brain health and performance. The Sleep Innovation Laboratories will serve as a vital hub for discovery, innovation and public education – bringing sleep out of the shadows and into the forefront of human potential.“”
“I came to Dallas to build the future of sleep science – one that’s interdisciplinary, tech-forward and focused on enhancing brain health, not just studying brain disease,” Walker said. “At UT Dallas and Center for BrainHealth, I found the perfect ecosystem to make that future real.”
What others at UT Dallas are saying about Dr. Matthew Walker
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“Dr. Walker is an international expert on the importance of sleep for physical and mental health. His arrival at UT Dallas will enable the growth of a multitude of cross-cutting research collaborations spanning engineering and biomedicine.”
– Dr. Joseph Pancrazio, Vice President for Research and Innovation, and Professor of Bioengineering
“Our students will benefit greatly from this important partnership between the Schools of Behavioral and Brain Sciences and Engineering and Computer Science, two intensely dynamic science schools at UT Dallas. Dr. Walker’s cutting-edge research will help to train the sleep scientists of tomorrow while advancing sleep-based brain health now.”
– Dr. Adam J. Woods, Dean of the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Aage and Margareta Møller Distinguished Professor in Behavioral and Brain Sciences
“Dr. Walker is a rare talent that crosses many disciplines and brings a collegiality that is prized at UT Dallas.”
– Dr. Stephanie Adams, Lars Magnus Ericsson Chair and Dean of the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science and Professor of Systems Engineering
“We are thrilled to have Dr. Walker join the Neuroscience and Bioengineering faculty at UT Dallas. His world-class expertise in the neuroscience of sleep and novel device development is a perfect fit for the expanding collaborative programs between these two departments. His enthusiasm for education will inspire our students to be future leaders at the intersection of neuroscience discovery and new products that improve sleep.”
– Dr. Greg Dussor, Professor of Neuroscience and James Bartlett Chair in Behavioral and Brain Sciences
“Dr. Walker is at the forefront of transforming neuroscience with engineering innovation towards developing paradigm-shifting solutions that can have profound impact on the quality of human life,”
– Dr. Shalini Prasad, Department Head, Professor of Bioengineering and Cecil H. and Ida Green Professor in Systems Biology Science
