Rébecca Robillard, PhD

Rébecca Robillard, PhD, C. Psych 

Director, Clinical Sleep Research Unit,  

Affiliations 

Associate Professor, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa  
Co-Chair, Canadian Sleep Research Consortium 

Research Focus 

My scientific work has significantly contributed to the understanding of sleep disturbances in mental health disorders. Currently, my research group, comprising psychiatrists, undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral trainees focuses on the interactions between mental illness, the sleeping brain, and the sleeping heart. Through a translational research framework, I work closely with the Sleep Disorders Clinic, the Operational Stress Injury Clinic, and the Youth Program at The Royal to bridge the gap between research and care. 

A Point of Pride  

I received the Young Investigator Award of the Canadian Sleep Society and the New Investigator Award of the Australasian Sleep Association, the Young Investigator Inspiration Award of the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, and the IMHR’s Emerging Research Innovators in Mental Health (e-RIHM) award. 

How I am Working to Make a Difference for Those Living with Mental Illness 

My work also seeks to optimize sleep and chronobiological interventions targeting mental disorders with particular attention to major depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. By supplementing standard clinical care with extended assessment and treatment options, the team hopes to improve quality of life, and potentially accelerate recovery in people with mental health disorders and sleep problems.