Jonna L. Morris

The objective of Dr. Morris’ program of research is to gain insight into sex and gender differences in symptom presentations of impaired sleep including obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia. She is an active participant in the School of Nursing’s research hub for Sleep and Circadian Rhythms.

Dr. Morris has particular interest in how the influence of social roles and gender affect the subjective perceptions of the symptomology of OSA. Her current research aim is to clarify differences in symptom reports of OSA between men and women, thus making women’s symptoms more recognizable to health care providers. To accomplish this, she is examining sex differences in symptoms within the different categories of OSA severity, as well as starting a study in which she will investigate the symptoms and experiences of women and men recently diagnosed with OSA.

Dr. Morris received a BA in English and Philosophy before earning her BSN from Penn State University. She gained extensive clinical and management experience in telemetry and medical/surgical nursing before continuing her education and earning her PhD at the University of Pittsburgh, where she focused on chronic disease, sleep, and women’s health. She also earned a PhD certificate in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. She recently finished a postdoctoral fellowship Translational Research Training in Sleep Medicine (T32) during which she completed an intensive clinical rotation in Behavioral Sleep Medicine (Brief Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia and chronotherapeutic approaches).