Laura K. Barger
Papers
1
Total Citations
61
H-Index
1
About
Dr. Laura K. Barger is a leading expert in sleep, circadian rhythms, and occupational fatigue, with a particular focus on high-stakes, shift-work environments. Her research investigates how non-standard work schedules disrupt human physiology and performance, and she develops evidence-based countermeasures to mitigate these risks. In her landmark study, "Learning to Live on a Mars Day," Dr. Barger examined the unique challenge of synchronizing Earth-bound circadian rhythms to a 24.65-hour Martian day during the Phoenix Mars Lander mission. This work, cited over 60 times, demonstrated how carefully timed light exposure and strategic sleep scheduling could help mission personnel maintain alertness and safety despite operating on an alien schedule for 78 consecutive days. Dr. Barger’s contributions extend beyond space exploration; she has authored seminal papers on fatigue among medical interns, commercial truck drivers, and other shift workers, collectively garnering thousands of citations. Her research directly informs safety protocols and workplace policies, making her a pivotal figure in translating circadian science into real-world fatigue management.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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