Dr. Matthew Walker is a distinguished neuroscientist and internationally recognized authority on sleep science whose work has transformed our understanding of sleep's critical role in human health. He currently serves as Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, where he founded and directs the Center for Human Sleep Science. After earning his neuroscience degree from the University of Nottingham in 1996 and completing his Ph.D. in neurophysiology from Newcastle University in 1999, Dr. Walker established himself as a leading researcher through his appointment as Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School before transitioning to his current position at UC Berkeley. His career trajectory reflects a dedicated commitment to advancing sleep research from laboratory science to public health impact, bridging academic rigor with practical applications that influence millions worldwide.
Dr. Walker's groundbreaking research examining the impact of sleep on human health and disease has yielded over 100 scientific publications that have fundamentally reshaped the field's understanding of sleep's critical functions. His seminal work culminated in the publication of the New York Times bestseller 'Why We Sleep' in 2017, which has been acclaimed for making complex sleep science accessible to the general public while establishing clear connections between sleep patterns and serious health conditions including Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and mental health disorders. His discoveries regarding the relationship between sleep deprivation and cognitive performance, emotional regulation, and disease risk have been featured in major media outlets including CBS 60 Minutes, National Geographic, and NPR, reaching audiences far beyond academic circles. Dr. Walker holds multiple U.S. patents related to sleep recording, tracking, and stimulation technologies, demonstrating his commitment to translating scientific findings into practical tools that can improve sleep quality for individuals.
Beyond his academic contributions, Dr. Matthew Walker has emerged as a pivotal figure in public health discourse, having served as the lead sleep scientist at Google in an advisory capacity, a role that concluded in February 2020, to advance the scientific exploration of sleep in health and disease while previously advising technology companies including Fitbit and Hello. His work with media platforms such as BBC and NPR's Fresh Air has made him a trusted voice on sleep science, helping to elevate public awareness about the global sleep crisis and its profound consequences for individual and societal health. Currently leading ongoing research initiatives at UC Berkeley's Center for Human Sleep Science, Dr. Walker continues to investigate the intricate connections between sleep patterns and neurological conditions while expanding his efforts to develop evidence-based interventions for improving sleep quality across diverse populations. His vision of reuniting humanity with sleep remains a driving force in his work as he collaborates with researchers, healthcare providers, and technology innovators to translate scientific insights into tangible solutions that address one of modern society's most pressing yet overlooked health challenges.
