Leigh Signal | |
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 Signal in 2005 | |
| Academic background | |
| Alma mater | Massey University , Massey University , University of Otago |
| Theses | |
| Doctoral advisor | Philippa Gander |
| Academic work | |
| Institutions | Massey University |
Tracey Leigh Signal is a New Zealand academic,and is a full professor at Massey University,specialising in fatigue and sleep,especially in relation to the aviation industry,and in women and children.
Signal trained as a commercial pilot before completing a Master's degree on shiftwork in air traffic services at Massey University, [1] and a PhD in public health at the University of Otago. Her doctoral thesis was titled Scheduled napping on the night shift:consequences for the performance and neurophysiological alertness of air traffic controllers,and was supervised by Philippa Gander. [2] Signal then joined the faculty at Massey,rising to full professor in 2021. [3]
Signal works in the Fatigue Management and Sleep Health group of the Sleep/Wake Centre at Massey University. [3] [4] Her research interests cover two areas,She studies sleep and fatigue avoidance,identification and management in the workplace,particularly in the aviation industry,and in relation to workplace deaths and accidents. [5] [6] She also researches healthy sleep in women and children,changes in sleep that occur at different life stages,and the relationship between sleep and sporting performance. She published a book Sleeping better in pregnancy after experiencing problems sleeping during her own second pregnancy. [7]
Signal has been an invited member of two International Civil Aviation Organisation Fatigue Risk Management Task Forces,and has contributed to national and global standards on civil aviation. [8] She has provided expert advice to the Coroner's Office,WorkSafe New Zealand and to the Transport Accident Investigation Commission. [3]
Polyphasic sleep is the practice of sleeping during multiple periods over the course of 24 hours, in contrast to monophasic sleep, which is one period of sleep within 24 hours. Biphasicsleep refers to two periods, while polyphasic usually means more than two. Segmented sleep and divided sleep may refer to polyphasic or biphasic sleep, but may also refer to interrupted sleep, where the sleep has one or several shorter periods of wakefulness, as was the norm for night sleep in pre-industrial societies.
Shift work is an employment practice designed to keep a service or production line operational at all times. The practice typically sees the day divided into shifts, set periods of time during which different groups of workers perform their duties. The term "shift work" includes both long-term night shifts and work schedules in which employees change or rotate shifts.
In chronobiology, a circasemidian rhythm is a physiological arousal cycle that peaks twice in a 24-hour day. It may also be called the semicircadian rhythm. Numerous studies have demonstrated that human circadian rhythms in many measures of performance and physiological activity have a 2-peak daily (circasemidian) pattern. The word, circasemidian, is based upon the Latin words circa ("about"), semi ("half") and dia ("day"). Thus, this is a rhythm that has two cycles per day, and some investigators have referred to it as the semicircadian rhythm. It usually serves to (1) deepen the pre-dawn nadir in body temperature and cognitive performance, (2) create a flat spot during the early afternoon in the daytime increase in body temperature and cognitive performance, and (3) heighten the early-evening peak in body temperature and cognitive performance. Broughton was the first to bring this characteristic of human performance to the attention of researchers.
Atanu Kumar Pati is an Indian zoologist, served as the Vice-Chancellor Gangadhar Meher University (GMU), Sambalpur, Odisha from 2017 till 2020.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) defines fatigue as "A physiological state of reduced mental or physical performance capability resulting from sleep loss or extended wakefulness, circadian phase, or workload." The phenomenon places great risk on the crew and passengers of an airplane because it significantly increases the chance of pilot error. Fatigue is particularly prevalent among pilots because of "unpredictable work hours, long duty periods, circadian disruption, and insufficient sleep". These factors can occur together to produce a combination of sleep deprivation, circadian rhythm effects, and 'time-on task' fatigue. Regulators attempt to mitigate fatigue by limiting the number of hours pilots are allowed to fly over varying periods of time.
Philippa Helen Gander is a New Zealand sleep researcher. In 2021, she was conferred with the title of emeritus professor by Massey University, where she had been inaugural director of the Sleep/Wake Research Centre until stepping down from that role in 2019.
Jodie Margaret Roberta Hunter is a New Zealand academic, of Cook Island Māori descent, and is a full professor at Massey University. Hunter researches mathematics pedagogy, with a particular interest in culturally responsive teaching of mathematics to Pasifika students. She is a Rutherford Discovery Fellow and has been a Fulbright Scholar.
Jackie Benschop is a New Zealand Professor of Veterinary Public Health at Massey University, specialising in the animal–human–environment interface, particularly for Leptospira, Campylobacter and Salmonella. She is a member of the World Health Organisation's Steering Committee for the Global Leptospirosis Environmental Action Network, and a co-founder of the African Leptospirosis Network.
Ngaio Jessica Beausoleil is a New Zealand academic, and is a full professor at Massey University, specialising in animal welfare and the cross-disciplinary field of conservation welfare.
Pamela Ruth von Hurst is a New Zealand academic and is a full professor at Massey University, specialising in human nutrition.
Lisa Anne Te Morenga is a New Zealand Maori academic, and she is a full professor at the Research Centre for Hauora and Health at Massey University. Her research focuses on nutrition and Māori health, especially in relation to dietary interventions to prevent metabolic disease.
Jennifer Faith Weston is a New Zealand veterinary scientist, and as of 2023 is a full professor at Massey University, specialising in dairy animals and their diseases.
Keren Elizabeth Dittmer is a New Zealand academic, and is professor of veterinary pathology at Massey University, specialising in animal skeletal pathology, vitamin D, and genetic diseases.
Kathryn Louise Beck is a New Zealand academic, a registered dietitian, and is a full professor at Massey University, specialising in dietary assessment, sustainable nutrition, and iron deficiency in young women and sportspeople.
Louise Nadine Signal is a New Zealand academic, and is a full professor at the University of Otago, specialising in researching public health policy and promotion, inequities in healthcare, and environmental determinants of health.
Philippa Seaton is a New Zealand academic, and is a full professor at the University of Otago, specialising in nursing education.
Alison Kearney is a New Zealand education academic and teacher, and is a full professor at Massey University, specialising in educational equity and inclusion.
Rebecca Edith Hickson is a New Zealand academic scientist, and is a full professor at Massey University, specialising in improving the production of beef from cast-off dairy calves.
Jennifer Mary Poskitt is a New Zealand academic who is a full professor at Massey University with experience in educational assessment.
Shirley Jean Jülich is a New Zealand social work academic, and is an associate professor at Massey University, specialising in restorative justice for sexual abuse. In 2023 Jülich was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to restorative justice and survivors of sexual abuse.
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