Helen Baghdoyan

Dr. Helen Baghdoyan, Ph.D., is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Michigan, holding distinguished appointments in Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, and Psychiatry. Since her recruitment in 1999, she has established a robust research program funded by the National Institute of Mental Health since 1989, focusing on the neurochemical mechanisms that regulate states of arousal, including sleep and anesthesia. Her work has identified critical neuronal circuits involved in these processes, particularly the role of brain spindles—patterns of electrical activity associated with sleep—that may also be implicated in psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia.Dr. Baghdoyan co-directs the pioneering course "Sleep: Neurobiology, Medicine, and Society," which provides comprehensive insights into sleep science. Her commitment to education and mentorship has been recognized with various awards, reflecting her dedication to fostering the next generation of researchers and clinicians in the field. Through her contributions to both research and teaching, Dr. Baghdoyan continues to advance our understanding of sleep's complex neurobiology and its implications for mental health.