Using maths to improve sleep: �� graduate reaches 3MT final

press release

Published: 01 October 2026

Using maths to improve sleep: �� PhD graduate reaches national Three Minute Thesis final

Research exploring how mathematical models could pave the way for more personalised approaches to improving sleep has taken a �� PhD graduate to the national final of the Vitae Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition.

Credit: Getty Images

woman sleeping peacefully in bed with a smartwatch on her wrist

Dr Rachel Bernasconi, now a postdoctoral research assistant at ��, is one of six finalists in this year’s competition, which challenges doctoral candidates to present their research and its significance in just three minutes.

Dr Bernasconi’s work investigates whether mathematical models can account for the fact that we all sleep differently – from why some of us are night owls when others are early risers, to how patterns of rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep change throughout the night.

While mathematical models have long been used to understand the general patterns of sleep, her thesis found that they can also reproduce some of the subtle or not-so-subtle differences between individuals, including a wide variation in sleep timing and duration, and how REM and non-REM sleep cycles change throughout the night.

The research lays important groundwork towards tailored mathematical models that could simulate lifestyle changes and predict which ones may be most effective at improving people’s sleep, with potential future applications in wearable sleep-tracking technologies such as smartwatches.

Each of us sleeps differently, so one-size-fits-all advice for improving sleep doesn’t always work. My research looked at whether mathematical models can capture those individual differences, with the longer-term goal of predicting which changes might work best for each person.

“Reaching the Three Minute Thesis final has been a fantastic opportunity to show how maths could ultimately make a real difference to people’s sleep and health. Dr Rachel Bernasconi, Postdoctoral Research Assistant

The Vitae 3MT® final will be broadcast on YouTube at 12pm on Thursday 1 October. Voting for the People’s Choice Award will open at 1pm following the broadcast and remain open until 10am on Monday 5 October. Both the Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice winners will be announced in a live broadcast shortly after.

Rachel has done a great job of communicating highly complex mathematics in a way that anyone can understand. Her research shows the potential of mathematical modelling to provide more personalised approaches to improving sleep.

“Reaching the national final is a wonderful achievement, and we hope those in the �� community and beyond will get behind Rachel in the People’s Choice vote. Professor Anne Skeldon, Head of School of Mathematics & Physics, Professor of Mathematics

Good sleep needs maths! Our sleep is shaped by lots of different processes, and maths gives us a way to make sense of how they work together. Professor Derk-Jan Dijk, Professor of Sleep and Physiology, Director �� Sleep Research Centre

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Notes to editors

Dr Rachel Bernasconi is available for interview; please contact mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk to arrange
Her paper can be found at:
Find out more about the Vitae Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition