Phyllis C. Zee, MD, PhD

Chicago, Illinois

Phyllis C. Zee, MD, PhD

Neurologist and Sleep Medicine Specialist

About

At Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Dr. Phyllis C. Zee is professor of Neurobiology, Benjamin and Virginia T. Boshes Professor in Neurology, and chief of the Division of Sleep Medicine. She also serves as director of the Center for Circadian and Sleep Medicine, where she oversees an interdisciplinary program in basic and translational sleep and circadian rhythm research; findings from her team have paved the way for innovative approaches to improve sleep and circadian health. A central theme of Dr. Zee’s research program is understanding the role of circadian-sleep interactions on the expression and development of cardiometabolic and neurologic disorders. Dr. Zee’s research has focused on the effects of age and neurodegeneration on sleep and circadian rhythms and pathophysiology of circadian sleep-wake disorders. Dr. Zee also has authored more than 300 peer-reviewed original articles, literature reviews, and book chapters on the topics of sleep, circadian rhythms, and sleep-wake disorders. She has trained over 50 pre- and post-doctoral students and has mentored numerous faculty members.

Education and Training

  • Sleep Medicine Fellowship, University of Chicago, 1990
  • Neurobiology and Physiology Fellowship, McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University and Northwestern Memorial Hospital, 1989
  • Chief Neurology Resident, McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University and Northwestern Memorial Hospital, 1987
  • Medical Degree, Chicago Medical School, 1983
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Chicago Medical School, 1980
  • Bachelor of Science, Mills College, 1980

Professional Highlights

  • President, World Sleep Society, 2022-present
  • Editorial Board Member, The Lancet Neurology, 2021-present
  • National Sleep Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, National Sleep Foundation, 2021
  • Member, World Sleep Program Committee, 2020-present
  • Distinguished Scientist Award, Sleep Research Society, 2020
  • Member, World Sleep Society Program Committee, 2019-present
  • Member, American Academy of Neurology Transcends Mentor-Scholars Program, 2018-present
  • Member, American Brain Foundation Research Advisory Committee, 2018-present
  • Member, World Sleep Society, 2016-present
  • William C. Dement Academic Achievement Award, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2014
  • Member, American Academy Neurology Translational Neuroscience Committee, 2012-present
  • President, World Sleep Society, 2019-2022
  • President, Sleep Research Society, 2011-2012
  • President, Sleep Research Society, 2010-2011
  • Sleep Science Award, American Academy of Neurology, 2011
  • Member, Board of Directors, Sleep Research Society, 2007-2010
  • Chair, National Institutes of Health Sleep Disorders Research Advisory Board, 2006-2009
  • Member, Board of Directors, National Sleep Foundation, 2003-2009
  • Member, Society for Research in Biological Rhythms, 2008-present
  • Fellow, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 1999-present
  • Member, American Neurological Association, 1996-present
  • Member, Sleep Research Society, 1990-present
  • Member, American Academy of Neurology, 1986-present

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