Rebecca M. C. Spencer

Professor of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts, USA

About the author:

I am interested in why we sleep, particularly how the brain processes memories during sleep and how this changes with development and aging.

What I want to achieve:

I hope to have an impact by doing brave (hard!) studies that provide objective evidence of sleep’s role in cognition and the role of brain development in aging in sleep changes. This is essential for developing scientifically-based policies around sleep (e.g., nap times, school start times).

Awards & accomplishments:

  • Outstanding Contribution Award, Center for Research on Families, University of Massachusetts, Amherst (2021)
  • Elected Member, Memory Disorders Research Society (2021)
  • Meritorious Abstract Award, Society for Behavioral Medicine (2021)
  • Citation Abstract Award, Society for Behavioral Medicine (2020)
  • Spotlight Scholar, University of Massachusetts, Amherst (2019)
  • Distinguished Service Award, Health & Kinesiology, Purdue University (2016)
  • Faculty Athletic Representative Award, Fidelity and National Football Foundation (2016)
  • Public Engagement Faculty Fellow, University of Massachusetts, Amherst (2015)
  • Outstanding Faculty-Student Collaboration, New England Psychological Association (2011)
  • Mellon Mutual Mentoring Award, Office of Faculty Development, University of Massachusetts, Amherst (2011)
  • Chancellor’s Junior Fellow, University of Massachusetts, Amherst (2010-2012)

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