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The university’s dream of a new research facility for sleep science was outlined at an industry seminar titled Night Vision: The Future of Sleep Science Research at UWA.

The event was hosted by the faculty and the Science Futures Foundation.

Over the past decade, UWA’s Sleep Science Centre has been funded via a range of competitive national and State-based grants, and conducted research in conjunction with the WA Sleep Disorders Research Institute (WASDRI) at the QEII Medical Centre.

Headed by world expert, Professor Peter Eastwood, the Centre has played a key role in researching sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea. It is also a leader in analysing the effects of travel and sleep quality on the performance of elite athletes, neuro-cognitive function and depression.

UWA has recognised the pressing need to extend this research and has allocated funds to create a purpose-built facility to train sleep technologists and educate the next generation of sleep scientists.

The seminar was an opportunity to give Perth’s leading sleep physicians an insight into UWA’s plans for sleep science research and to give valuable input on how to encourage investment in the new centre’s most valuable resource – its people.

The plans include funding a new Academic Chair to provide the leadership to stimulate innovative research. Funding is also required for fellowships to enable PhD graduates to continue their research and for scholarships and prizes to encourage the next generation of scientists.