Gena L. Glickman, PhD

Scientist, Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
Associate Professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience
Uniformed Services University

Dr. Gena L. Glickman is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Maryland. She received bachelor’s degrees in psychology and occupational therapy from Villanova University and Thomas Jefferson University, and a master’s and doctoral degree in experimental psychology/behavioral neuroscience from University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Prior to starting at USU, Dr. Glickman continued at UCSD as a faculty member in the Center for Circadian Biology and in parallel, began conducting military research at the Naval Health Research Center in San Diego, California. The primary focus of her research program has been to further understand sleep, circadian rhythms, and the biological effects of light to maximize human health and well-being. To that end, she has studied the influence of different lighting characteristics (e.g. exposure parameters, prior light history) on circadian resetting, melatonin suppression, and the efficacy of therapeutic applications. By employing a variety of research techniques in humans and rodent models, her work has further elucidated the neural mechanisms that mediate the biological effects of light. Dr. Glickman's lab is now examining how the basic science of this primitive sensory system can be used to guide the rational development of clinical therapies and architectural lighting strategies. Recent applications under investigation include the spectral engineering and testing of novel, multi-component lighting interventions that aim to optimize health and performance in hospital shift workers and military service members. Additionally, the lab has prioritized the development of complementary, evidence-based educational programs and research tools for field studies of the physiological effects of light in humans.