STANFORD, CA, April 16, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- H. Craig Heller, PhD, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Dr. Heller, a distinguished figure in the field of biology, has dedicated over five decades to advancing biology education at Stanford University. As the Lorry Lokey Businesswire Professor of Biology and Human Biology, he is renowned for his expertise in the neurobiology of sleep, circadian rhythms and thermoregulation. His early research focused on interactions of body temperature regulation and sleep. He showed that the brain's thermostat has a circadian rhythm and is also turned down during NREM sleep but turns off during REM sleep. His work has focused a lot on the possible functions of sleep. Those studies led him to investigate how the brain lowers body temperature in hibernators. His work on sleep and circadian rhythms led him to investigate their roles in learning and memory and the possible causes of the learning disability leading to extensive work on the learning and memory disability associated with Down syndrome. His groundbreaking work includes demonstrating that mammalian hibernation is an extended form of sleep and identifying the role of adenosine in regulating sleep. His studies on human temperature regulation has led to a technology that is highly effective in improving athletic conditioning/performance and preventing heat-related injuries.

Dr. Heller's illustrious career at Stanford University began as an assistant professor of biological sciences from 1972 to 1977. He was then promoted to associate professor, a position he held until 1983. Since 1983, he has been a professor of biological sciences at Stanford where he continues to handle departmental duties, teach, conduct research and participate in committee work. He also served as Chairman of Biology, Director of Human Biology, Associate Dean for Research, Chair of the Academic Senate, and many other university roles. His contributions to the academic community are recognized by his appointment as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Dr. Heller's academic journey laid a strong foundation for his successful career. He earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from Ursinus College in 1965, followed by a Master of Philosophy in biology from Yale University in 1968. He completed his PhD in biology at Yale University in 1970 and subsequently undertook a postdoctoral fellowship at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography from 1970 to 1971. Influenced by the advice of scientist Per Scholander, Dr. Heller embraced a forward-thinking approach to his research, allowing him to explore diverse scientific problems and achieve remarkable success.

In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Heller is actively involved with civic-minded organizations such as Down syndrome communities and the Open Medicine Foundation. His dedication to improving lives is reflected in his numerous awards, including the Kenneth M. Cuthbertson Award for Exceptional Contributions to Stanford University in 2010 and the Walter J. Gores Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1977. He has also co-authored influential publications such as the textbooks "Life: The Science of Biology" and "Principles of Life," along with over 250 peer reviewed papers. Outside of academia Dr. Heller has served as a member and a chair of DARPA's Defense Science Research Council, and also as a Director and Chair of the Sleep Research Society.

Dr. Heller is committed to using science to enhance people's lives beyond academia. He aims to improve therapies as well as educational and employment opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome. In his thermoregulatory research he seeks to advance heat exchange technology for medical uses such as managing patient temperature during and recovering from surgery. His heat extraction technology can also alleviate the heat caused by exacerbation of symptoms in individuals with multiple sclerosis.

Dr. Heller's passion for science remains unwavering as he strives to expand his legacy from biology research to making tangible improvements in people's lives through innovative solutions and educational opportunities for underserved communities.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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