S. Justin Thomas, Ph.D., associate professor in the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, has received an NIH K24 Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research to support mentorship, career development, and translational research in sleep and circadian rhythms.
Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Thomas' five-year award, titled "Translational Research in Sleep and Circadian Rhythms," provides protected research time and resources to support mentoring activities, career development, and training opportunities for emerging clinician scientists. The award totals approximately $350,000 over five years.
The K24 mechanism is a unique NIH funding opportunity designed to support established clinician scientists who have demonstrated success in patient-oriented research and mentorship.
The award will allow Thomas to build on his existing sleep and circadian research program while developing expertise in nutrition science, particularly the role of meal timing in human circadian rhythm research. As part of the award, he assembled a team of senior mentors, including Orlando Gutierrez, M.D., Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Michael Mugavero, M.D., Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Courtney Peterson, Ph.D., Department of Nutrition Sciences, and Kathy Reid, Ph.D., of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
“My existing research seeks to examine sleep and circadian mechanisms underlying blood pressure levels and blood pressure rhythms across 24 hours,” Thomas said. “Many of these mechanisms may serve as targets for the development of novel behavioral interventions.”
In addition to cardiovascular research, Thomas and his collaborators are studying the effects of Brief Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia on sleep and cognition among older adults living with HIV.
“Overall, my research seeks to improve sleep and circadian health and, in turn, impact overall health,” he said.
While the K24 award supports Thomas' continued scientific development, its central purpose is to strengthen mentorship and training opportunities for the next generation of researchers.
“I am hopeful that this mechanism advances the careers of as many mentees, present and future, as possible and helps continue to grow sleep and circadian research here at UAB,” he said.
Thomas credits much of his success to the mentors and collaborators who have supported his career development.
“I have benefited tremendously from past and current mentors in learning a rather unique research skill set and wanted to pursue a K24 to enhance my ability to pay it forward,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude to his mentoring team, department leadership, and the trainees with whom he collaborates.
“I would like to acknowledge the support I have received from my senior mentors, as well as leadership in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology,” Thomas said. “I would also like to acknowledge all the mentees with whom I am privileged to collaborate.”