About Mariana
Dr. Mariana Figueiro is a Brazilian-Cuban architect and scientist who is a global leader in light and health research. Her work focuses on how light—its presence, absence, and quality—affects human health, especially alertness, performance, and the body’s internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm. She currently serves as the Director of the Light and Health Research Center and a Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, where she and her team continue to pioneer breakthroughs. She previously directed the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Mariana has authored over 150 scientific articles, and her research has a wide range of real-world applications. She has designed special 24-hour lighting plans to improve sleep and stability for older adults, including those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Her solutions provide bright, bluish light during the day to promote wakefulness and dim, warm light at night for rest, acting as a drug-free treatment. Her expertise is used in high-stakes environments, too. She has worked with the U.S. Navy to implement new lighting systems on submarines to help crew members maintain healthy sleep schedules while working in constant darkness. Her research is continually proving that well-designed lighting is critical for overall health and well-being.
