Dr Maria Gardani (PhD)

Lecturer in Clinical Psychology

Background

I have joined  the School of Health in Social Sciences at the University of Edinburgh as a Lecturer in Clinical Psychology in October 2021. 

Prior to that I  was a Lecturer in Psychology at the School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Glasgow (2015-2021) and a Lecturer in the DClinPsy programme at the University of Glasgow (2014-2015).  During my first post-doctoral fellowship I have worked at the University of Glasgow Sleep Center under the mentorship of Prof Jason G. Ellis investigating the transition from acute to chronic insomnia. Following that, I investigated the sleep and circadian difficulties in people after traumatic brain injury and stroke. 

I was a sleep and research consultant for the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust unit in Glasgow (2015-2017) and worked closely with the multidisciplinary team to develop education resources regarding sleep following Acquired Brain Injury.  

 

Qualifications

MA (Hons) Psychology, University of Glasgow

Ph.D. Psychology, University of Glasgow 

 

Responsibilities & affiliations

Research Committee Leader for British Sleep Society (https://www.sleepsociety.org.uk/

Board of Trustee for Sleep Scotland. (https://sleepscotland.org/about-us/our-board/)

Member of the U21 University Mental Health Group (https://u21health.org › u21-university-mental-health-group)

 

Postgraduate teaching

  •  DClinPsy Viva Coordinator

 

  • Research 2 Course Coordinator

Open to PhD supervision enquiries?

Yes

Areas of interest for supervision

- Sleep and mental health in young adults.

-Insomnia and functional recovery after stroke.

Current PhD students supervised

Mr Alexandros Kapatais, School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh

Mr Declan Mclaren  (https://www.gla.ac.uk/pgrs/declanmclaren/#)

Ms Jelena Milicev (https://www.gla.ac.uk/pgrs/jelenamilicev/#)

 

Research summary

The primary focus of my research is the application of psychological theory and methodology to explore the onset and maintenance of sleep and circadian difficulties across the lifespan and their association with mental health and well being in addition to physiological and environmental factors.  Ultimately, the aim of my research is to design sleep intervention programs to improve sleep and mental health outcomes.  

 

Current research interests

My current research interests include:  - Sleep and mental health in young adults including students. - Insomnia following Acquired Brain Injuries. - Sleep and Neurodiversity (ASD and ADHD).

Affiliated research centres