Lei Gao, MBBS, MMSC
Dr. Lei Gao, MBBS, MMSC, is an Anesthesiologist and Associate Professor of Anesthesia at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Harvard Medical School. He leads the Perioperative Sleep and Brain Health Lab (PSBL), studying sleep/circadian health and postoperative delirium in surgical patients. His lab leverages multiple approaches, including wearable technology, to pave the way for new risk stratification and interventions.
Dr. Gao’s group currently conducts prospective cohort studies to probe underlying mechanisms and leads randomized clinical trials optimizing preoperative sleep using behavioral (CBT-I) and pharmacological interventions for reducing delirium, cognitive disorders, and pain. This work receives support from the NIH, PCORI, and various foundations, including the Alzheimer’s Association, American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), and Foundation for Anesthesia, Education and Research (FAER).
Dr. Gao’s lab is part of the Medical Biodynamics Center (MBC) at the MGH, where he serves as Clinical Director, applying innovative approaches from modern physics, engineering, artificial intelligence, and data science to clinical medicine and research. He also co-directs the MGH Anesthesia Residency Research (PRIME- Pathway to Research Independence with Mentorship and Education) Track, fostering the next generation of perioperative physician-scientists. He is otherwise busy with three toddlers, four rescue dogs/cats, making good food, hikes, racquet sports, and all things rugby when time allows!