KU Sleep Disorders Research

06/04/2026

Great article featuring one of our teams’ sub-investigators, Dr. Stewart!

Though still in its infancy, the study of what happens to our brains while we are asleep is critical to promoting good health.

05/30/2026

Yesterday marked the last day for our Research Assistant, Julia! Over the last year, Julia has played a key role in helping our team grow, including helping launch and enroll the very first participants in our NIH-funded ENNVISA study. She has also served as our team’s in-house social media manager during her time.

Luckily for the team, Julia will be attending The University of Kansas School of Medicine this fall to pursue her MD and plans to continue collaborating on research with our team.
We are grateful for all her hard work, dedication, and commitment to advancing sleep medicine. Please join us in wishing Julia the very best with her exciting next chapter!

05/27/2026

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea, but is not currently on treatment, this research study may be of interest. The ENNVISA Study is researching night-to-night variability of this breathing disorder. Help us learn more about your sleep and contact [email protected] or fill out this form https://redcap.kumc.edu/surveys/?s=HRJ7DTE7Y8N3FLCX to determine eligibility!

05/20/2026

Happy International Clinical Trials Day!

Today we celebrate the volunteers, clinicians, and researchers who make medical progress possible.

Thank you to everyone who contributes to research!

05/14/2026

Meet Dr. Liebenthal!

Dr. Jennifer Liebenthal is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Kansas Medical Center, where she specializes in sleep medicine. She joined KU in 2021 and brings advanced training from the University of Chicago and Stanford University.

Dr. Liebenthal cares for patients with a wide range of sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea, parasomnias like REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, insomnia, hypersomnia and narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, and circadian rhythm disorders. She is board‑certified in neurology and sleep medicine through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She has received the designation of Fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (FAASM), which recognizes outstanding contributions to sleep medicine.

We’re grateful to have Dr. Liebenthal on our team, helping patients find healthier, more restorative sleep!

05/12/2026

05/08/2026

Introducing Dr. Nazir!

Dr. Usman Nazir is an Assistant Professor in the Pulmonology, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine Division at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He’s ABIM‑certified across all three specialties and stays active clinically, caring for patients with a wide range of sleep‑related conditions. In the sleep clinic, he provides full diagnostic and therapeutic care for everything from sleep apnea and insomnia to restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, and sleep disorders associated with medical or psychiatric conditions. He has a particular passion for helping patients manage sleep apnea and improve their long‑term sleep health.

Dr. Nazir earned his BA from the University of San Diego and his MD from Jagiellonian University in Poland before completing his residency and fellowships in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary & Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine at KUMC. He is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the American College of Chest Physicians, and the American Thoracic Society.
We’re grateful to have Dr. Nazir on our team, and excited for him to serve as principal investigator in an upcoming study!

05/01/2026

May is Better Sleep Month! 🙌

Poor sleep affects mood, memory, and immunity. Quality rest is necessary for feeling and functioning at our best.

When people volunteer for sleep research, they help accelerate discoveries that can improve sleep health for entire communities. Whether someone struggles with sleep apnea, insomnia, daytime sleepiness, or another sleep concern, research offers a path toward better understanding and better care.

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about our ongoing sleep studies, we’re here to help. Better sleep is possible!

04/28/2026

04/22/2026

Meet Dr. Luthra!

Dr. Saurav Luthra is an Assistant Professor and Sleep Medicine specialist at University of Kansas Medical Center. He completed his Sleep Medicine fellowship at Harvard Medical School’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Boston Children's Hospital, and previously served on faculty at both Harvard and Rochester Regional Health.

Dr. Luthra treats the full range of sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, insomnia, hypersomnia, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, parasomnias, circadian rhythm disorders, and more. He also works closely with patients who struggle with CPAP intolerance, offering advanced alternatives like Inspire and remedē System.

His current work focuses on advancing sleep awareness and education, while highlighting the connection between better sleep and metabolic health, longevity, brain health, memory, and overall performance. His research interests include complex sleep apnea, CPAP intolerance, sleep biomarkers, and the use of AI in healthcare and sleep diagnostics to improve patient care.

We’re grateful to have Dr. Luthra on our team!