Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
Sleep is increasingly recognised as the third pillar of good health, along side diet and exercise. Poor sleep quality and sleep deficiency are linked to a number of serious health problems, including depression and cardiovascular disease, as well as impaired alertness and neurocognitive functioning, reduced productivity and increased accident risk.
Our research program aims to investigate the role of the internal biological clock in the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle, and how disruption of the clock leads to sleep disorders and other physiological consequences (for example, in shift workers). We are developing novel treatment approaches for sleep disorders that are caused by biological clock disruption. These include light and melatonin treatments. We are also investigating the contribution of sleep disturbances and fatigue to mood disorders and impaired cognition in clinical populations.
Sleep loss and impaired alertness adversely affect occupational safety, health and productivity, and also road safety. About 20 percent of serious car crash injuries are associated with driver sleepiness. Our research is examining innovative technologies to monitor alertness in occupational and transportations settings, and is developing and testing intervention strategies aimed at reducing the burden associated with impaired alertness in these contexts.
Community service
2011-present President, Australasian Sleep Association
http://www.sleep.org.au/
Research interests
- Circadian regulation of sleep and wakefulness
- Effects of melatonin and melatonin agonists on sleep and circadian rhythms
- Effects of light on the human circadian system
- Consequences of sleep loss and sleep disruption in neuropsychiatric disorders
- Development of interventions for sleep loss and sleepiness in transport and occupational settings
- Legal issues relating to sleep loss and sleepiness
Monash teaching commitment
2011-present Director of Undergraduate Programs, School of Psychology and Psychiatry
Research area keywords
- Circadian rhythms
- Insomnia
- Light
- Melatonin
- Shift work
- Sleep
- Sleep Loss
- Sleep disorders
- Sleepiness-related crashes
Network
Recent external collaboration on country level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots.
Projects
Assessment of circadian and light interactions in adolescent sleepiness
Wilson Rajaratnam, S., Bei, B., Wiley, J., Lockley, S., Klerman, E. & Carskadon, M. A.
28/06/19 → 27/06/23
Project: Research
Impact of Operational Sleep Disruption on PTSD-relevant Fear Learning Processes
Risbrough, V. B., Drummond, S., Wilson Rajaratnam, S. & Norman, S.
30/09/18 → 29/09/21
Project: Research
Optimise Sleep in Brain Ageing and Neurodegeneration
Naismith, S. L., Grunstein, R. R., Lewis, S. J. G., Phillips, C. L., D'Rozario, A., Hoyos, D. C., Wilson Rajaratnam, S., Halliday, G. M., Martins, R. N. & Lagopoulos, J.
1/01/18 → 31/12/22
Project: Research
Transport and Logistics Industry Health and Wellbeing Research Study
Collie, A., Wilson Rajaratnam, S., Lubman, D. & Newnam, S.
1/05/17 → 30/03/21
Project: Research
Tools for characterising sleep and circadian disturbances
Wilson Rajaratnam, S. & Klerman, E.
Project: Other
Research Output
A pre-drive ocular assessment predicts alertness and driving impairment: A naturalistic driving study in shift workers
Mulhall, M. D., Cori, J., Sletten, T. L., Kuo, J., Lenné, M. G., Magee, M., Spina, M-A., Collins, A., Anderson, C., Rajaratnam, S. M. W. & Howard, M. E., Feb 2020, In : Accident Analysis and Prevention. 135, 10 p., 105386.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Health consequences of circadian disruption
Sletten, T. L., Cappuccio, F. P., Davidson, A. J., Van Cauter, E., Rajaratnam, S. M. W. & Scheer, F. A. J. L., Jan 2020, In : Sleep. 43, 1, p. 1-3 3 p., zsz194.Research output: Contribution to journal › Letter › Other › peer-review
The role of sleep hygiene in the risk of Shift Work Disorder in nurses
Booker, L. A., Barnes, M., Alvaro, P., Collins, A., Chai-Coetzer, C. L., McMahon, M., Lockley, S. W., Rajaratnam, S. M. W., Howard, M. E. & Sletten, T. L., 13 Feb 2020, In : Sleep. 43, 2, 8 p., zsz228.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
A consensus opinion amongst stakeholders as to benefits of obstructive sleep apnoea treatment for cardiovascular health
Landry, S. A., Banks, S., Cistulli, P. A., Hamilton, G. S., Héraud, L., Kairaitis, K., Lubke, S., Mukherjee, S., Roebuck, T., Soda, J., Umbers, D., Rajaratnam, S. M. W. & Mansfield, D., Apr 2019, In : Respirology. 24, 4, p. 376-381 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
3
Citations
(Scopus)
Advances of Melatonin-Based Therapies in the Treatment of Disturbed Sleep and Mood
Alston, M., Cain, S. W. & Rajaratnam, S. M. W., 2019, Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology. Landolt, H-P. & Dijk, D-J. (eds.). Cham, Switzerland: Springer, p. 305-319 15 p. (Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology; vol. 253).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (Book) › Other
2
Citations
(Scopus)
Press / Media
Paramedic Health and Wellbeing Research Unit (PHAWRU)
Kelly Bowles, Benjamin Meadley, Joanne Caldwell Odgers, Luke Perraton, Maxine Bonham, Brett Williams, Karen Smith, Shanthakumar Wilson Rajaratnam & Alexander Wolkow
21/02/19
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Article/Feature
CREATORS: 'Immersive Installation Explores Sleep Culture and Insomnia'
Matthew Bird, Marcus McMahon, Shanthakumar Rajaratnam, Sean Drummond, Caitlyn Parry, J David Franke & Phillip Adams
7/07/17
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Review
ART ALMANAC: 'Matthew Bird: Dormitorium'
Matthew Bird, Marcus McMahon, Shanthakumar Rajaratnam, Sean Drummond, Caitlyn Parry, J David Franke & Phillip Adams
10/06/17
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Review
SMH: 'Trouble sleeping? Designers might have the answer (here's a clue: lose the blue)'
Matthew Bird, Marcus McMahon, Shanthakumar Rajaratnam, Sean Drummond, Caitlyn Parry, J David Franke & Phillip Adams
28/03/17
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Article/Feature
ABC RADIO NATIONAL: 'An invitation to sleep'
Matthew Bird, Marcus McMahon, Shanthakumar Rajaratnam, Sean Drummond, Caitlyn Parry, J David Franke & Phillip Adams
20/03/17
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Article/Feature