University of Pittsburgh Awards Tenure to Brant Hasler, PhD

We are delighted to announce that Brant Hasler, PhD, has been appointed Tenured Associate Professor of Psychiatry by the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Hasler’s research focuses on the role of sleep and circadian rhythms in regulating affect and motivation, particularly as they pertain to affective disorders and substance abuse in adolescents. He uses a combination of experimental and observational methods—including ecological momentary assessment, behavioral tasks, neuroimaging, and objective sleep and circadian rhythm assessments—to investigate mechanisms both in the laboratory and the real world.

Dr. Hasler currently leads a Center for Adolescent Reward, Rhythms, and Sleep project on circadian rhythms, sleep, and substance use during adolescence, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). He is also principal investigator (PI) of two R01 grants, one funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and another by NIDA, both focused on circadian misalignment, sleep problems, and substance use in adolescents. In addition, Dr. Hasler is multiple PI on an NIAAA R01 investigating positive and negative reinforcement pathways underlying sleep and alcohol use associations. Additionally, he serves as an external consultant on a NIDA grant investigating sleep among racial groups for nicotine use and dependence. 

Dr. Hasler has published multiple important papers in leading journals and has been invited to present his work at multiple institutions and international meetings. He also serves as a member of the Board of Reviewing Editors for SLEEP Advances. 

“Dr. Hasler has developed an innovative and very influential research program in adolescent sleep and circadian rhythms and substance use, a topic of urgent national importance. His research has strong potential to change how we approach substance use prevention and treatment in youth.  He is also a fantastic colleague and mentor, and a highly valued member of our Department,” said David Lewis, MD (Chair, Department of Psychiatry). 

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Hasler!