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Don Watenpaugh is a scientist and sleep medicine specialist.  He was born in Dallas, Texas and he was raised in Irving.  Don graduated from the University of North Texas, Denton, with a B.S. in 1982 and a M.S. in 1984, both in biology.  His research there in Dr. Tom Beitinger’s lab demonstrated how low, sub-lethal levels of pollutants adversely affect fish swimming performance and tolerance of stressors like heat and low oxygen.  Don’s interests in space science led him to work with Dr. Gunnar Blomqvist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (1984-1989).  There Don contributed to the first comprehensive studies of how the weightlessness of space flight reduces astronauts’ ability to stand and exercise after returning to Earth.  Don’s work at Southwestern led to a M.A. in physiology. 

From 1989 to 1996, he managed Dr. Alan Hargens’ Space Physiology Laboratory at NASA Ames Research Center, CA.  Their research team developed methods such as lower body negative pressure exercise to counteract debilitating effects of spaceflight.  Exercise in space helps astronauts safely return to Earth.  Dr. Watenpaugh earned his Ph.D. in physiology in 1995 from University of California, Davis.  In 1996, Dr. Watenpaugh worked with Dr. Peter Norsk at the Danish Aerospace Medical Centre for Research in Copenhagen, Denmark.  They collaborated on the first comprehensive comparison of female and male responses to water immersion.  Dr. Watenpaugh then joined Dr. Mike Smith at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth (1996-2000).  Their work demonstrated how sleep breathing problems increase blood pressure.  They also documented adverse effects of sleep restriction on cardiovascular function.  From 2000 to 2004, Dr. Watenpaugh worked at the Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory, Groton, CT, where he studied environmental physiology of submariners and divers.  Specific projects included development of novel preventive measures and treatments for decompression sickness, vitamin D supplementation in submariners, and design of exercise devices for the confined environment of submarines. 

As of 2011, Dr. Watenpaugh has written or co-authored 125 publications and 167 abstracts.  A Medline search of “watenpaugh d” shows much of his peer-reviewed publication record.  Dr. Watenpaugh also has teaching experience in the classroom, research laboratory, and clinical practice.  He is adjunct professor in the Department of Integrative Physiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, and in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas, Arlington. 

Dr. Watenpaugh joined Sleep Consultants first as a sleep study analyst from 1997 to 2000, in then as a caregiver in 2004.  He trained for clinical work with Drs. Mary and Ed O’Malley in Norwalk, CT, and with Drs. John Burk and Ed Lucas at Sleep Consultants.  Dr. Watenpaugh earned board certification in sleep medicine and took over as Director of Sleep Consultants in 2005 when Dr. Lucas retired. 

Donald E. Watenpaugh, Ph.D.

Location: 1521 Cooper Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76104

Office Phone/Fax: (817) 332-7322, Fax (817) 336-2159

Email: doctors@sleepconsultants.com

Present Position: Director, Sleep Consultants, Inc.
 

EDUCATION

1995   Ph.D., physiology; minor: ecology;  University of California, Davis, CA

1989   M.A., physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas

1984   M.S., biology, North Texas State University (now University of North Texas), Denton, Texas

1982   B.S., biology; minor: chemistry; North Texas State University (now University of North Texas), Denton, Texas
 

CERTIFICATION

2005            Clinical Sleep Disorders, American Board of Sleep Medicine, # 3237.
 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

July 2005-present	Director, Sleep Consultants, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas
2006 - 2008	Director, Sleep Center, Cook Children's Medical Center, Fort Worth, TX
July 2004-June 2005	Associate Director, Sleep Consultants, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas
March 2001-July 2004	Research Scientist, Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory, Groton, CT, as employed through an Interagency Personnel Agreement with the Research Foundation, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY
March 1999-Feb. 2001	Research Assistant Professor, Department of Integrative Physiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
Dec. 1997-Dec. 2000	Clinical Sleep Study Data Analyst, Sleep Consultants, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas
Oct. 1996-Feb. 1999	Research Associate, Department of Integrative Physiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
June-Sep. 1996	Guest Scientist, Danish Aerospace Medical Centre of Research A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark
1989-1996	Manager, Space Physiology Laboratory, Life Science Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA [Contracted through the University of California, San Diego (1994-1996), and Bionetics Corporation (1989-1994)]
1987-1989	Research Associate, Space Medicine Laboratory, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
1987	Lecturer, Allied Health Sciences Physiology Course, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
1985-1986	Teaching Assistant (Mammalian Physiology), Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
1982-1984	Teaching Assistant (Human Biology and Zoology), Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
1981-1982	Research Technician, Institute of Applied Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas

ADJUNCT FACULTY APPOINTMENTS

2006-present	Biomedical Engineering Joint Graduate Studies Committee, University of Texas, Arlington, and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
2005-present	Department of Integrative Physiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
2005-present	Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas

BOARD MEMBERSHIPS

Board of Directors, Challenger Learning Center of Southeastern Connecticut, 2003-2004.

SOCIETIES AND COUNCILS

Fellow, American Academy of Sleep Medicine

Member, American Physiological Society

Charter Member, American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology

Member, American College of Sports Medicine, national organization and Texas Chapter

Charter Member, International Society for Gravitational Physiology (Charter Member)

Member, Gerson Lehrman Group Healthcare Council

Member, J.K.G. Silvey Society

Member, Sleep Research Society
 

GRANTS AND CONSULTANTSHIPS (role in project)

The role of reactive oxygen species in intermittent hypoxia induced sympathoexcitation (co-investigator).  National Institutes of Health, PI:  PB Raven, 2011-present. 

Sleep Center, Cook Children’s Medical Center, Fort Worth, Texas, (consultant), Director, Wolfgang Schmidt-Nowara, 2008-present. 

Exercise within a lower body negative pressure chamber to load cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems in microgravity (co-investigator), National Aeronautics and Space Administration, PI:  AR Hargens, UC San Diego, $350,000/yr, 1991-2006

Cardiovascular responses to lower body positive pressure and negative pressure breathing at rest and during dynamic exercise (co-investigator), Office of Naval Research, PI:  D Fothergill, Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory, $150,000/yr, 2002-2004

Testing and evaluation of a low cost retractable needle safety syringe for naval healthcare (principal investigator), Congressionally-mandated project in collaboration with Safety Medical International, Inc., $1,000,000/yr, 2002-2004. 

Submariner bone turnover and vitamin D supplementation (co-investigator), Office of Naval Research, PI:  E Harris, Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory, $150,000/yr, 2002-2003

Determination of supplies and equipment required for successful submarine disaster survival and escape (co-investigator), Naval Sea Systems Command, PI:  W Horn, Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory, $70,000/yr, 2001-2002

Assessment of chest compression efficacy for CPR in weightlessness (co-investigator), National Aeronautics and Space Administration, PI:  G Pantalos, University of Louisville, 2000-2002

Vestibular modulation of autonomic responses to orthostasis (co-investigator), National Aeronautics and Space Administration, PI:  M Smith, UNT Health Science Center, $175,000/yr, 2000-2002

Peripheral cardiovascular reflexes in humans during space flight (co-investigator), European Space Agency, PI:  A Gabrielsen, DAMEC Research, Copenhagen, Denmark, 1997-2000

Sympathetic control during sleep apnea (principal investigator), Research Fellowship, National Institutes of Health, $32,000/yr, 1998-2000

Virtual environments for simulation of altered gravity (co-investigator), National Aeronautics and Space Administration, PI:  R Welch, NASA Ames Research Center, $40,000/yr, 1996-1999

Active warming of patients during general anesthesia (co-investigator), Co-PI’s:  D Grahn and J Brock-Utne, Stanford University, 1994-1997

Intervertebral disc and back pain studies using spinal traction and compression during magnetic resonance imaging (co-investigator), National Aeronautics and Space Administration, PI:  AR Hargens, NASA Ames Research Center, $50,000/yr, 1993-1996

A non-invasive acoustic diagnostic device to measure intracranial pressure (consultant), R Koch, Scientific-Atlanta, Inc., 1994-1995

STELLAR Program for public school teacher research training and curriculum development (consultant/mentor), NASA Ames Research Center, 1994-1995 (summer program)

Biology & Space Exploration Video Series:  The Cardiovascular System in Space (consultant), NASA Ames Research Center, producers:  S Rapa and AR Hargens, 1994-1995

Cranial mechano-acoustical method for measurement of intracranial pressure (co-investigator), National Aeronautics and Space Administration, PI:  AR Hargens, NASA Ames Research Center, $50,000, 1994

Inelastic legging for venous insufficiency (consultant), F Shaw, Shaw Therapeutics, 1993

Comprehensive (whole-body) compact resistance exercise device for Earth and space use (consultant), D Keiser, Keiser Sports Health Equipment, 1992-1994

Cardiovascular adaptation to zero gravity (Experiment 294, Spacelab Life Sciences Shuttle flights 1 and 2) (co-investigator), National Aeronautics and Space Administration, PI:  CG Blomqvist, UT Southwestern, 1989-1994
 

AWARDS

Pickwick Postdoctoral Fellow, National Sleep Foundation, 1997-1999

NASA Tech Brief Award, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Headquarters, 1996

Patent Award, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Ames Commercial Technology Office, 1995

Women’s Mentor Award, NASA Ames Research Center Advisory Committee for Women, and Federally Employed Women, 1995

First Place, Student Awards, Animal Physiology, American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology Annual Meeting, 1994

Procter and Gamble Graduate Student Award, Experimental Biology meeting, 1994

Group Achievement Award, Spacelab Life Sciences-2 Payload Team, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1994

Phi Sigma National Biological Honor Society, University of California, Davis Chapter, 1993

Graduate Student Researchers Program Grant, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1987-1988

Murray Savings Corporation Scholar, Physiology Graduate Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 1984

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Traineeship, Department of Biological Sciences, North Texas State University, 1982-1984

Tri-Beta National Biological Honor Society, North Texas State University Chapter, 1981
 

REVIEW SERVICE

Acta Physiologica Scandinavica

American Journal of Physiology

Annals of Biomedical Engineering

Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine

Journal of Applied Physiology

Journal of Investigative Medicine

Kidney International

Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

SLEEP

Wilderness and Environmental Medicine
 

INVITED PRESENTATIONS AND CONFERENCES

“Is sleep more important than diet and exercise?”, 4^th Annual meeting of the Texas Society of Sleep Professionals, Austin, Texas, 2011. 

“Sleep and sleep disorders:  everything you wanted to ask but were afraid to know”, Pulmonary Patient Support Group, Harris Hospital, Fort Worth, Texas, 2011. 

“The ups and downs of PAP titration:  from CPAP to ASV … and beyond!”, Northeast regional meeting of the Texas Society of Sleep Professionals, Irving, Texas, 2011.

“Sleep apnea, cerebrovascular disease, and stroke”, Stroke Happens:  Managing a Brain Attack, Texas Health Resources Neuroscience Conference, Arlington, Texas, 2010. 

“Pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea:  a disease of vicious cycles”, 3^rd Annual meeting of the Texas Society of Sleep Professionals, Houston, Texas, 2010. 

“Development and validation of lower body negative pressure as a form of artificial gravity”, 31^st Annual Meeting of the International Society for Gravitational Physiology, Trieste, Italy, 2010. 

“Obstructive sleep apnea, congestive heart failure, and atrial fibrillation”, 26^th Annual Frontiers of Cardiology Conference, Winter Park, CO, 2010. 

“Sleep:  As Important as Diet and Exercise (only Easier!)”, Department of Kinesiology, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, 2009. 

“The unrecognized role of obstructive sleep apnea in physical inactivity and depression in minority populations”, tutorial symposium; moderator:  Dr. Robert Carter, III, American College of Sports Medicine, 55^th Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, IN, 2008.

“Psychiatric and sleep disorders:  interactions and opportunities”, Society of Psychiatric Physicians, North Texas Chapter, Fort Worth, Texas, 2006. 

“Environmental physiology and biomedical engineering:  expanding human capability undersea and in space”, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas, 2006. 

“Obstructive sleep apnea:  causes, consequences, and treatment”, Sleep Patient Education Program, Sleep Consultants, Inc. and Baylor All Saints Hospital, Fort Worth, Texas;  and Respiratory Therapy Continuing Education, Arlington Memorial Hospital, Arlington, Texas, 2005. 

“Causes and consequences of sympathoexcitation from sleep apnea”, Pickwick Datablitz, National Sleep Foundation, Washington, DC, 2005. 

“Artificial gravity:  centrifugation vs. LBNP”, Symposium honoring Dr. Gunnar Blomqvist, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, 2004. 

“Restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder”, Sleep Patient Education Program, Sleep Consultants, Inc. and Harris Hospital, Fort Worth, Texas, 2004. 

“Environmental challenges to breathing easy in the Navy’s many workplaces”, National Respiratory Care Week seminar, Baylor All Saints Medical Center, Fort Worth, Texas, 2004. 

“Brief daily post-exercise orthostatic stress protects orthostatic tolerance during bed rest”, Center for Circadian and Sleep Disorders Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 2001, and the annual meeting of the Japanese Physiological Society, Sapporo, Japan, 2004.