About the Lab
The Moreno Lab studies the impact of children’s sleep and circadian rhythms on health outcomes and development. We are particularly interested in the influences of the school year and summer environment and the seasonal light/dark cycle on children’s sleep and circadian rhythms and how changes in these behaviors influence the development of obesity in childhood. In addition, we are interested in understanding how children’s screen use behaviors influence children’s sleep and circadian rhythms and whether these effects confer negative impacts on children’s executive functioning and emotion regulation.
Primary Investigator
Dr. Moreno's research interests: children's sleep, circadian rhythms, growth, and weight gain during the year.
USDA/ARSÂ Children's Nutrition Research Center
The Moreno Lab is part of the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center which houses laboratories, state-of-the-art equipment, a greenhouse, observation labs, research volunteer accommodations, a metabolic kitchen, and an elite group of research scientists.
Circadian Rhythms and Sleep Assessment
We have expertise and resources to estimate children’s circadian phase with actigraphy as well as salivary melatonin levels which are assessed in dedicated space within the Metabolic Research Unit under dim light conditions. We also have the capability to assess sleep using actigraphy and polysomnography. View more information: Metabolism Research Unit, Body Composition and Energy Metabolism.
Publications
Our research projects and studies result in publications in PubMed and other scientific journals.
Join the Lab
View information on education and training opportunities offered in the Moreno’s Lab.
Contact Us
Moreno Lab
Children's Nutrition Research Center
1100 Bates Ave.
Houston, TX 77030
Email: palcic@bcm.edu
Phone: (713) 798-7069