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Get to Know Our Team
Meet the medical advisors, product experts, and writers behind the internet’s most trusted sleep resource.
Medical Advisory Board
Our medical advisory board oversees the review of all health-related content on SleepFoundation.org. This highly qualified team is made up of physicians and other sleep experts with decades of experience in sleep medicine and related health fields. Their knowledge and insights about sleep science and human health ensure every article on our site reflects the latest research and clinical guidelines.
Audrey Wells, MD
Board-Certified Sleep Medicine Physician
Dr. Audrey Wells holds three board certifications in pediatrics, sleep medicine, and obesity medicine. She is the founder of Super Sleep MD, an online platform for education, support, and group coaching experiences specifically for people with obstructive sleep apnea treatments. She helps people with sleep apnea get fully treated without sacrificing comfort. Dr. Wells also has an individual consultation program for physicians who want to optimize their sleep to improve performance, vitality, and well-being.
Dustin Cotliar, MD, MPH
Board-Certified Emergency Medicine Physician
Dr. Dustin Cotliar holds a medical degree from the State University of NY (SUNY) Downstate College of Medicine, and a master’s in public health from Columbia University, where he focused on healthcare policy and management. He is board-certified in emergency medicine, with over eight years of practice that includes emergency medicine, urgent care, and telemedicine. His interest in the field of sleep health began during his residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai- Beth Israel, where working irregular hours and nightshifts led him to explore methods to enhance sleep quality and well-being.
Brandon R. Peters, MD, FAASM
Board-Certified Sleep Medicine Physician
Dr. Brandon Peters is a double board-certified neurologist and sleep medicine specialist and fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine who currently practices at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health in Seattle. He is a leading voice in sleep medicine who works at the cutting edge of medicine and technology to advance the field.
Anis Rehman, MD
Board-Certified Internal Medicine Physician
Dr. Anis Rehman is an American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) certified physician in Internal Medicine as well as Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism who practices in Illinois. He completed his residency at Cleveland Clinic Akron General, and fellowship training at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. Dr. Rehman has several dozens of research publications in reputable journals and conferences. He also enjoys traveling and landscape photography.
Pranshu Adavadkar, MD
Board-Certified Sleep Medicine Physician
As a board-certified sleep medicine physician with over 20 years of clinical experience, Dr. Pranshu Adavadkar is an expert in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders in both children and adults, as well as addressing sleep issues experienced by veterans.
Alberto Ramos, MD, FAASM, FAAN
Board-Certified Sleep Medicine Physician
Dr. Alberto Ramos is a professor of clinical neurology and the research director of the sleep disorders program at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. He mentors and trains physician scientists. As a McKnight Institute for Brain Research collaborator, he focuses on the intersection between sleep disorders, cerebrovascular disease, and neurocognitive aging in population-based studies. As an investigator, he has also been involved with the Northern Manhattan Study and the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) since 2010.
Joel Gould, DDS
General and Cosmetic Dentist
Dr. Joel Gould has been practicing general and cosmetic dentistry in Southern California since 2001. He has been treating obstructive sleep apnea in Manhattan Beach for several years before he was diagnosed with sleep apnea in 2015 himself. His ultimate goal is to transform the world of insomnia, snoring and sleep apnea with his unique sleep restoration program. Dr. Gould strongly feels that sleep disorders are both reversible and preventable, which opposes what is commonly accepted in medicine.
Nilong Vyas, MD, MPH
Board-Certified Pediatrician
Dr. Nilong Vyas has a medical doctorate from Louisiana State University and completed her Pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. She is board-certified in general pediatrics and also holds a Master’s in Public Health from Tulane University. During her time in private practice, she developed a passion for sleep and nutrition and founded Sleepless in NOLA, a sleep coaching company that takes a holistic, evidence-based approach to optimizing sleep to promote improved growth and development. With over a decade of experience, she optimizes sleep for the entire family.
Alex Dimitriu, MD
Board-Certified Sleep Medicine Physician
Dr. Alex Dimitriu is the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine and is board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine. His practice is a balanced mix of optimizing for peak performance by day and peak restorative sleep by night. His patients are his teachers, and he works with some of the brightest minds to achieve peace, performance, and lasting results.
Jenny Iyo, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Dr. Jennifer Iyo is a doctor of physical therapy who works in an outpatient orthopedic clinic in Seattle. She attended A.T. Still University in Phoenix, Arizona, where she earned her DPT. She specializes in hands-on manual therapy and tailored exercise programs for patients of all ages and ailments.
Carly Snyder, MD
Board-Certified Psychiatrist
Dr. Carly Snyder is a reproductive and perinatal psychiatrist who integrates traditional psychiatry with holistic practices. She operates a private practice on the Upper East Side in NYC and serves as voluntary faculty at NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell and Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Centers. Dr. Snyder started her reproductive psychiatry career as the director of women’s mental health at Mount Sinai Beth Israel in the OB-GYN department. She also worked as the director of the reproductive and perinatal senior elective for fourth-year psychiatry residents at Mount Sinai Beth Israel while volunteering at the Payne Whitney Women’s Clinic at Cornell.
Maya Nambisan, MD, MPH
Board-Certified OB/GYN
Dr. Maya Nambisan is a board-certified OB/GYN with over 14 years’ experience in the field. She also holds a master’s degree in public health from Yale School of Epidemiology and Public Health. Her interest in women’s health began when she managed the Anti-Epileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry at Massachusetts General Hospital. She then attended medical school at the University of Illinois and completed her residency at White Memorial Medical Center in Los Angeles. Currently, she serves as a full scope OB/GYN for the rural communities of California’s northern central valley. She is one of a few robotically-trained, minimally invasive surgeons in the area. She is a strong patient advocate and believes in shared medical decision-making.
David Rosen, MD
Board-Certified Sleep Medicine Physician
Dr. David Rosen’s passion to help improve America’s sleep led him to launch renumasleep.com, a digital health platform focused on providing streamlined and accessible care for obstructive sleep apnea. He is board-certified in internal medicine, sleep medicine, pulmonary medicine, and critical care medicine. His interest in sleep medicine began with an undergraduate psychology class taught by a nationally recognized expert in sleep disorders. Decades later, he continues to marvel at the various advancements and discoveries in the treatment of sleep disorders.
Lulu Guo, MD
Board-Certified Sleep Medicine Physician
Dr. Lulu Guo is a graduate of the prestigious Medical Scholars program at Michigan State University and was admitted into medical school at the age of 17 after completing undergraduate studies in two years. She is double board-certified in family and sleep medicine. She completed her Sleep Medicine Fellowship at the Michael S. Aldrich Sleep Disorders Laboratory and Clinic at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. She is also a graduate of the Andrew Weil Integrative Medicine fellowship from the University of Arizona and is committed to a personalized approach to treating a patient’s sleep concerns.
Alyssa Dweck, MD, FACOG
Board-Certified Gynecologist
Dr. Alyssa Dweck is a practicing gynecologist in Westchester County, New York. She provides care to women of all ages and has delivered thousands of babies. A graduate of Barnard College, she has a Masters Degree in Human Nutrition from Columbia University and her Medical Degree from Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, now named Drexel University. Dr. Dweck trained at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, where she was Chief Resident in 1994.
Sherrie Neustein, MD, FAAP
Board-Certified Pediatrician
Dr. Sherrie Neustein is a board-certified pediatrician and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics who has enjoyed over 15 years in practice. She graduated magna cum laude from Brandeis University and with honors from the Tufts University School of Medicine. Dr. Neustein completed her residency training at the Northwell Health Cohen Children’s Medical Center and an international fellowship in medical ethics.
Gerard J. Meskill, MD, FAASM
Board-Certified Sleep Medicine Physician
Dr. Gerard Meskill is board certified in both neurology and sleep medicine, and he is the founder and CEO of Tricoastal Narcolepsy and Sleep Disorders Center. He is known for expertise in the treatment of narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and insomnia. He is published in peer-reviewed journals and texts, as well as online media. He has served as principal investigator in clinical research trials focused on narcolepsy and OSA. He regularly serves on narcolepsy treatment advisory boards and founded A.W.A.K.E. Greater Houston, a support group for individuals afflicted with narcolepsy and other sleep disorders that works in partnership with the Narcolepsy Network and the American Sleep Apnea Association.
Diane Salazar, RRT, RRT-SDS
Registered Respiratory Therapist
Diane Salazar is a registered respiratory therapist with more than 28 years of clinical experience in respiratory care and sleep medicine. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with physicians, sleep technologists, and durable medical equipment providers to help patients understand sleep-related breathing disorders and successfully adapt to treatments such as CPAP and other positive airway pressure therapies.
Ealena Callender, MD, MPH, FACOG
Board-Certified OB/GYN
Dr. Ealena Callender is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist. In practice for 14 years, Dr. Callender is passionate about helping women reach their full potential in every stage of their lives. Her goal is to empower women and encourage them to be partners in their care. Dr. Callender takes a broad view of women’s health, realizing that there are many factors that can contribute to overall wellness.
Heather Wright, MD
Board-Certified Pathologist
Dr. Heather Wright is a board-certified anatomic and clinical pathologist, with a sub-specialty board certification in hematopathology. She completed her pathology residency at St. Louis University, surgical pathology fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis, and hematopathology fellowship at St. Louis University. She has nearly 10 years of experience in the study and diagnosis of disease, with special interest in leukemia and lymphoma, and has also served as a blood bank medical director.
John DeBanto, MD
Board-Certified Internal Medicine Physician
Dr. John DeBanto has been a medical doctor and gastroenterologist for over 20 years. He is board-certified in both internal medicine and gastroenterology. He is also a fellow with the American College of Gastroenterology, serving on the patient care committee. His professional interests include cancer screening, obesity management, and therapeutic endoscopy. He’s certified to place the Orbera gastric balloon for his patients desiring weight loss.
Joshua Tal, PhD
Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Joshua Tal is a licensed psychologist with a private practice in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York City. He specializes in insomnia treatment, addiction recovery, and life transition stress. Dr. Tal studied sleep, health, and addiction treatments under top clinicians and researchers at Stanford University, VA hospitals, and rehabs across the country.
Kara Bagot, MD
Board-Certified Psychiatrist
Dr. Kara Bagot is an adult and child and adolescent psychiatrist. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychological and brain sciences at Johns Hopkins University. Following completion of her undergraduate degree, Dr. Bagot spent two years engaged in clinical research for treatment of adolescent substance use disorders at the National Institute on Drug Abuse prior to attending medical school at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine. She completed the six-year Albert J. Solnit Integrated Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatry Program at Yale University School of Medicine and Child Study Center — a physician-scientist program that focuses on training the next generation of clinical and research leaders in Psychiatry.
Kent Smith, DDS
Board-Certified Dental Sleep Medicine Dentist
Dr. Kent Smith is board-certified in dental sleep medicine with over 20 years of experience in the treatment of sleep breathing disorders. He is president of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy and is on the advisory committee of the Australasian Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. He earned his doctor of dental surgery and dentistry from Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, and his bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University.
Kimberly Truong, MD, MPH
Board-Certified Sleep Medicine Physician
Dr. Kimberly Truong is a Stanford-trained sleep physician with board certifications in sleep medicine and internal medicine. She is the founder and lead physician of Earlybird Health, a leading digital sleep clinic with hassle-free home sleep apnea testing. She believes that good sleep should be accessible to all and navigating the healthcare system should not cause any more sleepless nights. She has been awarded the Young Achiever Award by the American College of Physician and the Young Investigator Award by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Michael A. Grandner, PhD
Board-Certified Behavioral Sleep Medicine Physician
Dr. Michael Grandner is a licensed clinical psychologist, board-certified in behavioral sleep medicine. He’s the director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona and director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program at the Banner-University Medical Center in Tucson, Ariz. Dr. Grandner is an associate professor of psychiatry, psychology, medicine, nutritional sciences, and clinical translational science at the University of Arizona. He is an internationally recognized expert in sleep health, has over 200 academic publications, and frequently consults with health, technology, athletics, and nutritional companies and organizations regarding sleep, health, and performance.
Product Testing Team
Sit in on one of our spirited roundtable discussions about our favorite sheets, and you’ll see that we mean it when we say we’re sleep nerds. Members of our team have been on the research, design, and manufacturing sides of mattresses, pillows, and other sleep products for many years, so we know what to look for when it comes to value and quality.
Logan Foley
Editorial Director, Mattress Expert
Logan is our executive product director at the Test Lab. Her years of experience researching and testing sleep products — including mattresses, natural sleep aids, and bedding — are critical to her role helping lead the testing team. As a chronic insomniac, she aims to bring her findings to anyone struggling with getting adequate rest. When she’s not testing mattresses or researching CBT-I, she enjoys spending time in the sunshine with her husband and her dog Pepper.
Mary Fenton
Head of Product Content
Mary is a product-content marketer who applies a pedigree in journalism, human-centered design, and cultural trends to inform strategy. Prior to Sleep Doctor, Mary led editorial and creative at ESPN and Rad Power Bikes. She likes to build and grow things, and break and fix things, and only sometimes in that order.
Jeremy Klein
Product Testing Manager
Jeremy is a sleep product tester with a passion for methodology and data collection. He’s spent the last three years at Sleep Foundation testing nearly every mattress, pillow, and sheet on the market, and has gained a holistic understanding of how to get the most accurate and universal results possible. When he’s not working, Jeremy likes to play guitar, climb rocks, and watch old movies.
Brad Nehring
Product Testing Manager
Brad has tested and written about various sleep products for more than 10 years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Western Washington University. After living abroad in Africa and Asia, he has settled in western Washington with his partner and small menagerie of pets. When not working, he enjoys hiking, golfing, traveling, and reading.
Colin Simpson
Product Research Manager
Colin is a product research manager and video producer with a passion for translating complicated topics into fun and digestible content. He’s been testing mattresses for several years, and has played a huge role in developing our mattress testing methodology. Colin also leads our video team, and is responsible for documenting our testing process via photo and video.
Rachel Grice
Product Content Manager
Rachel combines a background in health journalism with hands-on experience testing sleep products. In her time at Sleep Foundation, she’s researched and evaluated mattresses, pillows, bedding, and sleep tech to help readers find the products best suited to their sleep needs. Outside of work, Rachel enjoys hiking and spending time outdoors with her kids.
Contributing Writers
Our team of experienced medical writers and product experts uphold rigorous guidelines. We know that your trust is earned, so we strive to add transparency throughout our process. From how we highlight authoritative sources of information to product testing practices and recommendations, we work hard to inform you of all the work that goes on behind the scenes.
Eric Suni
Contributing Writer
Eric Suni has over a decade of experience in health communications. For over seven years at Fred Hutch, Seattle’s prestigious cancer research center, he worked as a science writer and information specialist for the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service, communicating directly with cancer patients, their family members, and the general public to explain complex topics in an understandable and compassionate way. He is passionate about promoting health and wellness by creating up-to-date, evidence-based resources and believes that improving sleep can have far-reaching benefits for public health.
Danielle Pacheco
Contributing Writer
Danielle is originally from Vancouver, BC, where she has spent many hours staring at her ceiling trying to fall asleep. She studied the science of sleep with a degree in psychology at the University of British Columbia, and she now channels her frustration into researching sleep solutions and sharing insights with fellow insomniacs. Danielle spends her downtime trying out new recipes and working off the calories on the soccer field.
Jay Vera Summer
Contributing Writer
Jay Vera Summer is a writer, editor, and wellness coach. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in psychology and Master’s degrees in both writing and public policy. As a wellness coach, she’s certified by the Mayo Clinic and the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). She’s been writing about sleep and other health topics for six years. Previously, she taught undergraduate writing courses for five years at the University of South Florida.
Garen Glazier
Contributing Writer
Garen is a writer and content creator specializing in sleep. She crafts research-based articles, sleep-product reviews, and other digital media from her home base in the Pacific Northwest.
Tina Smithers Peckham
Contributing Writer
Tina is a freelance writer and editor based in Jacksonville, Florida, and specializes in entertainment, lifestyle, and parenting content. She has written and reported for a variety of publications and websites including MTV News, ET Online, Glamour, Us Weekly, and more.
Cassandra Burns
Contributing Writer
Cassandra is a professional writer who specializes in search engine optimization. Cassandra writes about a wide variety of sleep products, but, as a side sleeper, she particularly enjoys writing about pressure relief. She has lived in many places across the country and recently returned to her native Upstate New York where she enjoys mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and the never-ending challenge of trying to tire out her dog.
Meredith Kreisa
Contributing Writer
Meredith has extensive experience in developing comprehensive but easily digestible content. She loves connecting sleepers with products that enhance their experience and help them get the quality rest they need. In her free time, Meredith enjoys musical theater, learning languages, and trying the latest plant-based foods.
Lucy Bryan
Contributing Writer
Lucy Bryan is a writer and editor with more than a decade of experience in higher education. She holds a B. A. in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an M.F.A. in creative writing from Penn State University. In addition to writing in the domain of public health, she’s also a fiction and nonfiction writer whose first book, In Between Places: A Memoir in Essays, debuted in June 2022. She lives on a homestead on Ohio’s Appalachian Plateau, where she enjoys gardening, hiking with her kids, cooking with her husband, and napping with her cat.