Christine M. Walsh, PhD, is an associate professor in the Department of Neurology at UCSF and a leading researcher in sleep and circadian rhythms, with a focus on aging and neurodegenerative diseases. She investigates the effects of changes in sleep and circadian rhythms on cognitive health, neurological function, and overall well-being in older adults.
Dr. Walsh earned her bachelor’s degree in human physiology from Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin in Ireland, and her PhD in neuroscience from the University of Michigan. During her doctoral studies, she examined the effects of REM sleep modulation on learning and memory, as well as the neural correlates of cognitive aging. In 2011, she joined the UCSF Edward and Pearl Fein Memory and Aging Center, where she established a sleep research program to study sleep disturbances in healthy aging and individuals with neurodegenerative diseases.
An expert in using advanced techniques such as EEG, polysomnography, actigraphy, and wearable devices, Dr. Walsh has extensive experience in designing and conducting clinical trials. She currently oversees multiple trials stemming from observational research, aiming to improve sleep quality and overall health in aging populations.
Dr. Walsh is passionate about mentoring the next generation of scientists and clinicians. She has taught neuroscience courses at the University of Michigan and San Francisco State University, and her outreach efforts include community programs to educate the public about sleep health in aging populations. She is also the co-founder and COO of the Advanced Science Exploratory Program, a nonprofit organization that works with individuals and schools to mentor, educate, and support future researchers, therapists, and doctors.