ProfessorPeter Cistulli

His research has focussed on sleep-disordered breathing. He has developed an interdsiciplinary clinical research programme, spanning the study of the causes, consequences, diagnosis and management of sleep-disordered breathing. A focus has been on the interface between upper airway anatomy and physiology, and orofacial biology. This research programme has been evaluating the relationships between craniofacial and upper airway morphology and their interaction with obesity to promote breathing impairment during sleep, the genetic underpinnings of these relationships, and their diagnostic and therapeutic implications. Another theme is the impact of sleep disturbances (including abnormal sleep bahviours and sleep disorders) on chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabtetes, chronic respiratory diseases, and cancer. Consistent with the research strategy of the Charles Perkins Centre, there is an evolving focus on the interaction of sleep with other lifestyle factors, viz. nutrition and physical activity in the development of cardiometabolic dysfunction. The research program spans from the clinic to public health. Other research interests include the role of new technologies as enablers of simplfied models of care for diagnosis and long-term monitoring of sleep health issues.