Dr. Stepan investigates the role of sleep in cognitive and emotional processes underlying anxiety and mood symptoms in young adults. Her research program focuses on 1) experimental manipulations of sleep and effects on cognitive-emotional processes 2) slow-wave sleep enhancement to mitigate anxiety and depression symptoms and 3) interventions to mitigate negative effects of sleep loss on cognition.
- BS, Psychology and English Literature, University of Pittsburgh, 2013
- PhD, Psychology, Michigan State University, 2019
- Postdoctoral Fellowship, Translational Research Training in Sleep Medicine T32, University of Pittsburgh, 2020-2022
Education & Training
Stepan, M. E., Altmann, E. M., & Fenn, K. M. (2021). Slow wave sleep during a brief nap is related to reduced cognitive deficits during sleep deprivation. Sleep.
Stepan, M. E., Altmann, E. M., & Fenn, K. M. (2021). Caffeine selectively mitigates cognitive deficits caused by sleep deprivation. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition.
Stepan, M. E., Altmann, E. M., & Fenn, K. M. (2020). Sleep deprivation effects on procedural placekeeping: More than just lapses of attention. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General.
Stepan, M. E., Fenn, K. M., & Altmann, E. M. (2019). Effects of sleep deprivation on procedural errors. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General.
Stepan, M. E., Franzen, P. L., Teresi, G. I., Rode, N., & Goldstein, T. R. (2024). Sleep quality predicts future mood symptoms in adolescents with bipolar disorder. Journal of Affective Disorders.