Researcher discusses circadian rhythms and time change with Akron Beacon Journal

Oct. 27, 2025

On Nov. 2, we leave daylight savings time and return to standard time. In preparation for the change, Jessica Ferrell, Ph.D., assistant professor of biomedical sciences, discussed research on the effect of time changes on sleep, circadian rhythms and overall health with the Akron Beacon Journal.

The interview was published online in the article Is the time change bad for your health? A NEOMED researcher shares her findings.

Dr. Ferrell’s research with shift-work models has shown that shift work and sleep deprivation can disrupt circadian rhythms.

“One of our main interests is how circadian disruption can lead to metabolic disease or metabolic syndrome, so symptoms like obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular problems,” she said in the interview. “We know there are a lot of people who engage in shift work who have chronic circadian disruption throughout their careers, and they’re at a higher risk for some of those diseases.”

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Read Is the time change bad for your health? A NEOMED researcher shares her findings in the Akron Beacon Journal