Dr Alexander Wolkow is an early career researcher based at the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.

Dr Wolkow’s research focuses on understanding the interactions between sleep, stress, health and performance in shift workers and other high-risk populations. Dr Wolkow received his PhD from Deakin University in 2016. After completing his PhD, he was recruited as a Project Officer with the CRC for Alertness, Safety and Productivity. In August 2016, he was awarded an NHMRC CRE NeuroSleep Fellowship and began his postdoctoral training at Monash University. Since arriving at Monash University, he has been awarded nationally competitive fellowships, including an NHMRC Peter Doherty Early Career Fellowship in 2018, and an ARC DECRA in 2022.

Dr Wolkow’s program of research focuses on two main areas: (1) the impact of sleep disturbances on mental health and wellbeing in shift workers, and (2) the impact of shift work and related sleep problems on stress, emergency performance, fatigue and decision-making in emergency personnel. Dr Wolkow’s research is underpinned by his strong and ongoing engagement with industry, and he currently works with a range of industry groups including paramedics, police, firefighters, and truck drivers. Ultimately, Dr Wolkow’s research aims to optimise health, safety and performance in these and other high-risk populations.

• Impact of sleep on mental and physical health in shift workers and other high-risk populations
• Interactions between sleep, shift work and occupational burnout
• Influence of shift work on truck drivers’ sleep, health and indicators of alertness and driving impairment
• Impact of shift work and related sleep problems on emergency performance, decision making and stress responses
• Longitudinal research tracking sleep and mental health health in emergency personnel
• Interventions to improve sleep and mental health in shift workers

Dr Wolkow supervises Honours and PhD students. He is currently recruiting PhD candidates who are interested in researching the impact of sleep and shift work on stress, performance and health in emergency personnel and other high-risk populations.

2022-present Engagement Committee Member, Sleep Health Foundation

2020-present Board Member, Sleep Health Foundation

2017-present Marketing and Communication Committee Member, Sleep Health Foundation

2021-present Network of Early Career Sleep Researchers in Training Council, Presentations Team Member, Australasian Sleep Association

2020-present Conference Committee Member, Australasian Sleep Association