Fabian-Xosé Fernandez

Associate Professor, Cognition & Neural Systems
Director, Circadian Trends Laboratory
Fernandez Headshot

Psychology 507

520-626-2489
fabianf@arizona.edu
Pronouns:
He, Him, His

Research Interests: 

  • Understanding the psychology associated with nighttime wakefulness and its role in suicide risk
  • Identifying and understanding the significance of circadian fluctuations in real-world data
  • Analysis of important topics in sleep and circadian science

Updated: 07/18/25

Selected Publications: 

  • Tubbs A.S.*, Fernandez F-X.*, Klerman E.B., Karp J.F., Basner M., Chakravorty S., Watkins E., Perlis M.L., and Grandner M.A. (2024). Risk for suicide and homicide peaks at night: Findings from the National Violent Death Reporting System, 35 States, 2003–2017. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 85, 23m15207.  PMID: 38814111
  • Lee R., McGee A., and Fernandez F-X. (2022). Systematic review of drugs that modify the circadian system’s phase-shifting responses to light exposure. Neuropsychopharmacology, 47, 866-879.  PMID: 34961774
  • Fernandez F-X. (2022). Current insights into optimal lighting for promoting sleep and circadian health: Brighter days and the importance of sunlight in the built environment. Nature and Science of Sleep, 14, 25-39.  PMID: 35023979
  • Grandner M.A. and Fernandez F-X. (2021). The translational neuroscience of sleep: A contextual framework. Science, 374, 568-573.  PMID: 34709899
  • Negelspach D.C., Kaladchibachi S., and Fernandez F. (2018). The circadian activity rhythm is reset by nanowatt pulses of ultraviolet light. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences, 285, 1884.  PMID: 30068685
  • Fernandez F., Lu D., Ha P., Costacurta P., Heller H.C., and Ruby N.F. (2014). Dysrhythmia in the suprachiasmatic nucleus inhibits memory processing. Science, 346, 854-857.  PMID: 25395537
  • Fernandez F., Morishita W., Zuniga E., Nguyen J., Blank M., Malenka R.C., and Garner C.C. (2007). Pharmacotherapy for cognitive impairment in a mouse model of Down syndrome. Nature Neuroscience, 10, 411-413.  PMID: 17322876

Courses Taught:

  • PSY 302 - Introduction to Biopsychology (2016)
  • PSY 350 - Sleep/Wake, Time Cycles, & Life (2023)
  • PSY 478 - Sleep & Sleep Disorders (2025)
  • PSY 578 - Sleep & Sleep Disorders (2024)
  • PSY 596F - Sleep, Circadian Rhythms, & Neurodegeneration (2019)

*Year listed indicates when this individual last taught the specified course.

Updated: 07/18/25

Degrees

  • B.Sc. Interdisciplinary Studies in Neurobiological Sciences, University of Florida (Graduated Summa cum laude)
  • Ph.D. Neurosciences, Stanford University