For those interested in the research, academic journey and experiences that have shaped my approach over the past three decades, I've shared a more detailed overview below.

Research & Scientific Background

Some earlier academic records and publications appear under my former name, Sabine Harrer.

My scientific journey has crossed several areas of biomedical and sleep research. Rather than following one narrow academic pathway, I worked across laboratories and disciplines that deepened my understanding of human biology, disease, prevention, sleep and behaviour.

These experiences later became part of the scientific foundation for the 9 Pillars Sleep Method™, Micro-Neuro Habits™ and Your Sleep Advantage™.

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science (Honours), Biochemistry and Immunology — Flinders University

• Graduate Certificate in Research — CQUniversity, completed following my PhD candidature at the Appleton Institute

• PhD research focus: The Effects of Breathing Patterns on Sleep Onset Insomnia

• PhD supervisors: Associate Professor Charli Sargent and Professor Drew Dawson

Biomedical Research Experience

Honours Research — Flinders University

Supervisor: Professor Kerry Owen Cox

My Honours research investigated the potential use of urocanic acid in sunscreen development, using a mouse model to examine ultraviolet-related skin and immune responses.

Professor Kerry Cox was an immunologist at Flinders University and held senior roles in cellular and clinical immunology. Historical Flinders records identify him as Director of Cellular Immunology and as an academic in immunology.

Research areas

• Immunology

• Biochemistry

• Photobiology

• Ultraviolet radiation

• Skin protection

• Mouse-model research

Molecular Microbiology and Pneumococcal Vaccine Research

Molecular Microbiology Unit, Women’s and Children’s Hospital

Laboratory head: Professor James C. Paton

I worked in Professor James Paton’s laboratory on pneumococcal vaccine and molecular-microbiology research.

Professor Paton led the hospital’s Molecular Microbiology Unit from 1980 to 2000. His research career focused on the pathogenesis and prevention of pneumococcal disease and the development of improved pneumococcal vaccines.

I contributed to research involving a genetically modified, detoxified form of pneumolysin expressed through an attenuated bacterial vaccine vector.

People associated with the laboratory and publication

• Professor James C. Paton

• Dr Judy K. Morona

• Professor Renato Morona

• Dr Robert A. Lock

• Dr Anne M. Berry

• Dr David Hansman

Laboratory experience

• Recombinant DNA and bacterial genetic-modification work

• Bacterial culture and transformation

• Gel electrophoresis

• High-pressure bacterial-cell disruption using a French press

• Preparation of bacterial proteins and laboratory materials

• Mouse-model research

Peer-reviewed publication under Sabine Harrer

Paton, J. C., Morona, J. K., Harrer, S., Hansman, D., & Morona, R. (1993). Immunization of mice with Salmonella typhimurium C5 aroA expressing a genetically toxoided derivative of the pneumococcal toxin pneumolysin. Microbial Pathogenesis.

Paediatric Renal Research

Renal Unit, Adelaide Children’s Hospital / Women’s and Children’s Hospital

I worked as a Research Assistant in paediatric renal research with:

• Dr Anne Martin

• Dr Fred Jureidini

• Dr Margie van Renen

Research area

• Kidney disease and renal failure

• Paediatric renal research

• Biochemical and protein-related laboratory investigations

Laboratory experience

• High-performance liquid chromatography

• Gel electrophoresis

• Protein and biochemical analysis

I would keep the description at this level until we confirm the exact project title and publication record.

Nuchal Ligament and Connective-Tissue Research

Department of Pathology, University of Adelaide

Researcher: Dr Mark Gibson

I worked as a Research Assistant with Dr Mark Gibson on research involving the nuchal ligament and connective-tissue biology.

Published work from Dr Gibson’s group confirms his affiliation with the University of Adelaide’s Department of Pathology and the group’s extracellular-matrix research involving nuchal-ligament-derived cells and tissues.

Research areas

• Nuchal ligament

• Connective tissue

• Extracellular matrix

• Collagen and microfibril biology

• Pathology research

Prostate Cancer Research Scholarship

Flinders University

Supervisor: Professor Wayne Tilley

I received a research scholarship to undertake work in Professor Wayne Tilley’s prostate-cancer research environment.

Research area

• Prostate cancer biology

• Androgen-related cancer research

• Molecular and cellular cancer research

I chose not to continue along that pathway because my primary cancer-research interest at the time was breast cancer, and the available breast-cancer PhD places had already been filled.

Sleep Science Research and PhD Candidature

Appleton Institute, CQUniversity
School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences

My PhD candidature investigated:

The Effects of Breathing Patterns on Sleep Onset Insomnia

The proposed research examined whether precisely controlled slow-breathing patterns could reduce hyperarousal and shorten sleep-onset latency. The programme included planned laboratory and field studies using objective and subjective measures of sleep, including polysomnography, validated sleep questionnaires, respiratory rate and heart rate.

Supervisors

• Associate Professor Charli Sargent

• Professor Drew Dawson

Research areas

• Sleep-onset latency

• Sleep-onset insomnia

• Breathing patterns

• Hyperarousal

• Autonomic nervous-system regulation

• Parasympathetic activation

• Polysomnography

• Subjective and objective sleep measurement

• Circadian rhythms

• Behavioural sleep interventions

The research proposal involved three sequential studies: a laboratory pilot, a multi-night sleep-laboratory experiment and a field study in participants’ homes.

Research Assistant Work at the Appleton Institute

While undertaking an unfunded PhD, I also worked as a Research Assistant on other Appleton Institute projects.

Work with Associate Professor Grace Vincent

Grace Vincent’s research programme centres on:

• Improving sleep and health in workplaces

• Understanding how physical activity and diet influence sleep

• Developing behavioural interventions that support better sleep health

Work with Dr Charlotte Gupta

Charlotte Gupta’s research focuses on:

• Sleep and nutrition

• Shift-worker health

• Meal timing

• Laboratory and field studies with shift workers

• Translation of research into industry practice and policy

Work with Dr Dean Miller

I supported studies led by Dr Dean Miller, including research using WHOOP wearable devices to collect physiological and sleep-related data.

My contribution included research-assistant support for wearable-based studies and participant-related research activities.

Other Appleton research environment

The Appleton Institute’s Adelaide research programme includes sleep and biological rhythms, workplace health, physical activity, nutrition, fatigue, shift work and operational performance. Its Adelaide facility includes a six-bed sleep laboratory.

Your role can therefore be described accurately as:

Research Assistant and PhD Candidate within the Appleton Institute’s sleep-research environment, contributing to laboratory and applied studies involving sleep, physical activity, wearable monitoring, nutrition, human performance and workplace health.

University Teaching Experience

University of Adelaide — Medical Education

• Problem-Based Learning Tutor in Medicine Adelaide University

• Worked with Carole Gannon

• Facilitated small-group discussion, critical thinking and self-directed learning for medical students

University of Adelaide — Dental Education

• First-year biology tutor for dental students

• Worked with Dr Elisabeth Farmer

How This Shaped My Work

My research appointments were varied, but the underlying curiosity remained consistent: understanding the biological and behavioural processes that shape health and human functioning.

The laboratory work developed scientific rigour and systems thinking. University teaching strengthened my ability to facilitate learning rather than merely deliver information. Sleep research brought biology, behaviour, breathing, environment and daily choices together.

That integration now underpins:

• 9 Pillars Sleep Method™ — the educational framework, with nine core pillars and two advanced bonus pillars

• Micro-Neuro Habits™ — the personalised behaviour-change process each participant develops through guided reflection and self-awareness

• Your Sleep Advantage™ — the organisational application for leadership, brain health, workplace culture and sustainable performance