Susan Malone

Faculty

Susan Malone headshot

Susan Kohl Malone

PhD RN

Assistant Professor

1 212 992 7047

433 First Ave
New York, NY 10010
United States

Accepting PhD students

Susan Kohl Malone, PhD, RN, is an Assistant Professor at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing. Her research focuses on understanding how sleep patterns and circadian rhythms impact metabolic health, with particular emphasis on preventing type 2 diabetes through personalized sleep interventions. She investigates how improving sleep health can reverse metabolic syndrome in diverse populations and addresses critical health disparities in sleep and cardiometabolic outcomes. Prof. Malone also teaches courses on lifestyle approaches to wellness and mentors doctoral students in sleep health research.

Malone has led multiple NIH-funded research projects, and is currently investigating metabolically-relevant hormonal rhythms in adults with prediabetes and short sleep duration, as well as multimodal dynamic biosensing for quantifying long COVID symptom progression. Her work combines nursing science, behavioral science, and circadian biology to develop evidence-based interventions that improve health outcomes across the lifespan.

Prior to joining the faculty at NYU Meyers, Malone served as a Senior Research Scientist at the college and completed postdoctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology. She brings extensive clinical experience as a certified school nurse and diabetes educator, having worked in various healthcare settings including diabetes treatment centers and school health programs. This clinical background informs her translational research approach to making sleep science accessible and applicable to real-world health challenges.

Among her many honors, Malone had the unique honor of having the annual Susan Kohl Award established in her name at Georgetown University.

She completed postdoctoral training as a Senior Research Scientist at New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing and as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine's Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology, where she developed expertise in sleep and circadian health research. Her doctoral dissertation examined whether chronotype modifies the relationship between sleep duration and body mass index in adolescents, establishing her foundation in sleep health across the lifespan.

PhD in Nursing, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
MSN in Nursing, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
BSN in Nursing, Georgetown University School of Nursing
Cardiometabolic Health
Circadian Rhythms
Diabetes Prevention
Health Disparities
School Health
Sleep Research
American Academy of Nursing
Eastern Nursing Research Society
International Association of Circadian Health Clinics
Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society
Sleep Research Society
Society for Research in Biological Rhythms
Society of Behavioral Medicine
Marion R. Gregory Award for distinguished completed doctoral dissertation, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing (2015)
Heilbrunn Nurse Scholar Award, Rockefeller University (2014)
Research Poster Winner, National Association of School Nurses Annual Conference (2013)
Leadership Identification Scholarship, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing (1985)
Susan Kohl Award, Georgetown University (1985)
Sigma Theta Tau, Nursing Honor Society (1984)

Social Isolation, Sleep Disturbance, and Cognitive Functioning (HRS) : A Longitudinal Mediation Study

Qi, X., Pei, Y., Malone, S. K., & Wu, B. (2023). In The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences (Vols. 78, Issues 10, pp. 1826-1833). 10.1093/gerona/glad004
Abstract
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Social isolation is prevalent and associated with dementia, yet the directionality and mechanisms are less understood. This study examined the association between social isolation and cognitive functioning and explored the mediating role of sleep disturbance on the social isolation-cognition relationship. METHODS: Data from 5 753 dementia-free Americans aged ≥50 of 2006 (T1), 2010 (T2), and 2014 (T3) waves of the Health and Retirement Study. Social isolation was measured by the Steptoe Social Isolation Index. Cognitive functioning was measured by the Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status. Sleep disturbance was measured with the modified Jenkins Sleep Scale. We used cross-lagged panel models to determine the associations between social isolation, sleep disturbance, and cognitive functioning. RESULTS: Social isolation is significantly associated with subsequent cognitive functioning (T1 to T2: β = -0.055, standard error [SE] = 0.014, p < .001; T2 to T3: β = -0.044, SE = 0.016, p < .001). Lower cognitive functioning is significantly associated with greater subsequent social isolation (T1 to T2: β = -0.101, SE = 0.020, p < .001; T2 to T3: β = -0.058, SE = .011, p < .001). Sleep disturbance at T2 partially mediated the effect of social isolation (T1) on cognitive functioning (T3), accounting for 6.2% of the total effect (β = -0.003, SE = 0.001, p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Social isolation may deteriorate cognitive functioning and vice versa. The association between social isolation and cognition is partially explained by sleep disturbance.

Temporal associations between nightly sleep with daytime eating and activity levels in free-living young adults

Hoopes, E. K., Brewer, B., Robson, S. M., Witman, M. A., D’Agata, M. N., Malone, S. K., Edwards, D. G., & Patterson, F. (2023). In Sleep (Vols. 46, Issues 11). 10.1093/sleep/zsad123
Abstract
Abstract
Study Objectives: This study aimed to quantify the temporal associations between nightly sleep quantity and timing with daytime eating behavior and activity levels in free-living (i.e. non-experimental) settings. Methods: Generally healthy young adults (N = 63; 28.9 ± 7.1 years) completed concurrent sleep (wrist actigraphy), eating (photo-assisted diet records), and activity (waist actigraphy) assessments over 14 days. Multilevel models quantified the associations between nightly sleep (total sleep time, timing of sleep and wake onset) with next-day eating behavior (diet quality, caloric intake, timing of eating onset/offset, eating window duration) and activity levels (total physical activity, sedentary time). Associations in the reverse direction (i.e. eating and activity predicting sleep) were explored. Models adjusted for demographic and behavioral confounders and accounted for multiple testing. Results: At within- and between-subject levels, nights with greater-than-average total sleep time predicted a shorter eating window the next day (all p ≤ 0.002). Later-than-average sleep and wake timing predicted within- and between-subject delays in next-day eating onset and offset, and between-subject reductions in diet quality and caloric intake (all p ≤ 0.008). At within- and between-subject levels, total sleep time was bidirectionally, inversely associated with sedentary time (all p < 0.001), while later-than-average sleep and wake timing predicted lower next-day physical activity (all p ≤ 0.008). Conclusions: These data underscore the complex interrelatedness between sleep, eating behavior, and activity levels in free-living settings. Findings also suggest that sleep exerts a greater influence on next-day behavior, rather than vice versa. While testing in more diverse samples is needed, these data have potential to enhance health behavior interventions and maximize health outcomes.

Addressing Challenges in Recruiting Diverse Populations for Research : Practical Experience from a P20 Center

Wright, F., Malone, S. K., Wong, A., Melkus, G. D., & Dickson, V. V. (2022). In Nursing research (Vols. 71, Issues 3, pp. 218-226). 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000577
Abstract
Abstract
Background Improving the recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups in all research areas is essential for health equity. However, achieving and retaining diverse samples is challenging. Barriers to recruitment and retention of diverse participants include socioeconomic and cultural factors and practical challenges (e.g., time and travel commitments). Objectives The purpose of this article is to describe the successful recruitment and retention strategies used by two related studies within a P20 center funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research focused on precision health research in diverse populations with multiple chronic conditions, including metabolic syndrome. Methods To address the complexity, biodiversity, and effect of metabolic syndrome and multiple chronic conditions, we developed culturally appropriate, multipronged recruitment and retention strategies for a pilot intervention study and a longitudinal observational pilot study within our P20 center. The following are the underlying principles that guided the recruitment and retention strategies: (a) flexibility, (b) active listening and bidirectional conversations, and (c) innovative problem solving. Results The intervention study (Pilot 1) enrolled 49 participants. The longitudinal observational study (Pilot 2) enrolled 45 participants. Women and racial/ethnic minorities were significantly represented in both. In Pilot 1, most of the participants completed the intervention and all phases of data collection. In Pilot 2, most participants completed all phases of data collection and chose to provide biorepository specimens. Discussion We developed a recruitment and retention plan building on standard strategies for a general medical population. Our real-world experiences informed the adaption of these strategies to facilitate the participation of individuals who often do not participate in research - specifically, women and racial/ethnic populations. Our experience across two pilot studies suggests that recruiting diverse populations should build flexibility in the research plan at the outset.

Best Interest Standard in School Health : A Concept Analysis

Grunin, L., & Malone, S. K. (2022). In Journal of School Nursing (Vols. 38, Issue 1, pp. 110-120). 10.1177/10598405211001459
Abstract
Abstract
The bioethical concept of best interest standard is cited in courts across America and considered to be an effective method of managing pediatric health care decision-making. Although the best interest standard is referred to in an abundance of nursing, medical, legal, and bioethical literature, refinement and a clear definition of the concept are lacking in the context of school health. An exhaustive and methodical search was conducted across six databases revealing 41 articles from the past decade. The Wilsonian methodology was used to analyze, refine, and clarify the concept of best interest standard by presenting original case vignettes (model, contrary, related, and borderline) and an innovative conceptual model as it applies to school nursing. This concept analysis provides school nurses with a deeper understanding of the best interest standard to navigate the complex nature of making school health care decisions.

Research gaps and opportunities in precision nutrition : an NIH workshop report

Lee, B. Y., Ordovás, J. M., Parks, E. J., Anderson, C. A., Barabási, A. L., Clinton, S. K., de la Haye, K., Duffy, V. B., Franks, P. W., Ginexi, E. M., Hammond, K. J., Hanlon, E. C., Hittle, M., Ho, E., Horn, A. L., Isaacson, R. S., Mabry, P. L., Malone, S. K., Martin, C. K., … Martinez, M. F. (2022). In American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Vols. 116, Issues 6, pp. 1877-1900). 10.1093/ajcn/nqac237
Abstract
Abstract
Precision nutrition is an emerging concept that aims to develop nutrition recommendations tailored to different people's circumstances and biological characteristics. Responses to dietary change and the resulting health outcomes from consuming different diets may vary significantly between people based on interactions between their genetic backgrounds, physiology, microbiome, underlying health status, behaviors, social influences, and environmental exposures. On 11-12 January 2021, the National Institutes of Health convened a workshop entitled "Precision Nutrition: Research Gaps and Opportunities" to bring together experts to discuss the issues involved in better understanding and addressing precision nutrition. The workshop proceeded in 3 parts: part I covered many aspects of genetics and physiology that mediate the links between nutrient intake and health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer disease, and cancer; part II reviewed potential contributors to interindividual variability in dietary exposures and responses such as baseline nutritional status, circadian rhythm/sleep, environmental exposures, sensory properties of food, stress, inflammation, and the social determinants of health; part III presented the need for systems approaches, with new methods and technologies that can facilitate the study and implementation of precision nutrition, and workforce development needed to create a new generation of researchers. The workshop concluded that much research will be needed before more precise nutrition recommendations can be achieved. This includes better understanding and accounting for variables such as age, sex, ethnicity, medical history, genetics, and social and environmental factors. The advent of new methods and technologies and the availability of considerably more data bring tremendous opportunity. However, the field must proceed with appropriate levels of caution and make sure the factors listed above are all considered, and systems approaches and methods are incorporated. It will be important to develop and train an expanded workforce with the goal of reducing health disparities and improving precision nutritional advice for all Americans.

Research gaps and opportunities in precision nutrition: An NIH workshop report

Lee, B., Ordovás, J., Parks, E., Anderson, C., Barabási, A.-L., Cinton, S., de la Haye, K., Duffy, V., Franks, P., Ginexi, E., Hammond, K., Hanlon, E., Hittle, M., Ho, E., Horn, A., Isaacson, R., Marby, P., Malone, S. K., Martin, C., … Martinez, M. (2022). In Amer J Clinical Nutrition (Vols. 116, pp. 1877-1900).
Abstract
Abstract
~

Actigraphy-derived rest--activity rhythms are associated with nocturnal blood pressure in young women

Hoopes, E. K., Patterson, F., Berube, F. R., D'Agata, M. N., Brewer, B., Malone, S. K., Farquhar, W. B., & Witman, M. A. (2021). In Journal of Hypertension (Vols. 39, Issues 12, pp. 2413-2421). 10.1097/HJH.0000000000002966
Abstract
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Misalignment between lifestyle behaviors and endogenous circadian rhythms is associated with elevated nocturnal blood pressure (BP) in experimental studies; however, less is known about free-living (i.e. nonlaboratory) circadian disruption and nocturnal BP. Additionally, sex-specific cardiovascular implications of circadian disruption are unclear. OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations between rest--activity rhythms (RAR), a field-based estimate of circadian disruption, and nocturnal BP characteristics in young men and women. METHODS: Fifty participants (20 ± 1 years; 20 men/30 women) underwent 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring following 14 days of wrist actigraphy. RAR variables of interdaily stability (day-to-day consistency in RAR), intradaily variability (within-day fragmentation of RAR), and relative amplitude (difference between peak vs. trough activity) were derived from actigraphy. Multivariable regression models of mean nocturnal SBP, DBP, and SBP dipping were generated to test main associations with RAR variables, and sex × RAR interactions. Daytime BP, race, BMI, physical activity, sleep duration, alcohol, caffeine, and sodium intake were considered as covariates. RESULTS: In the full sample, no main associations between RAR and nocturnal BP characteristics were found. Sex interacted with RAR such that in women, higher interdaily stability (β = -5.39, 95% CI = -10.04 to -0.73, P = 0.024) and relative amplitude (β = -4.78, 95% CI = -9.22 to -0.34, P = 0.036) were both associated with lower nocturnal SBP. Sex-stratified multivariable models of nocturnal BP also revealed associations between interdaily stability and relative amplitude with SBP dipping in women (all P ≤ 0.01). No associations were apparent in men. CONCLUSION: Consistent and high-amplitude RAR are favorably associated with nocturnal BP characteristics in young women.

Bedtime habits in adults with and without type 2 diabetes

Malone, S. K., Di, J., Leroux, A., Riegel, B., Melkus, G., Rickels, M., Punjabi, N., Pack, A., Crainiceanu, C., & Urbaneck, J. (2021). In Journal of Articles in Support of the Null Hypotheses (Issues 18, pp. 33-40).
Abstract
Abstract
~

Characterizing Glycemic Control and Sleep in Adults with Long-Standing Type 1 Diabetes and Hypoglycemia Unawareness Initiating Hybrid Closed Loop Insulin Delivery

Malone, S. K., Peleckis, A. J., Grunin, L., Yu, G., Jang, S., Weimer, J., Lee, I., Rickels, M. R., & Goel, N. (2021). In Journal of Diabetes Research (Vols. 2021). 10.1155/2021/6611064
Abstract
Abstract
Nocturnal hypoglycemia is life threatening for individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) due to loss of hypoglycemia symptom recognition (hypoglycemia unawareness) and impaired glucose counter regulation. These individuals also show disturbed sleep, which may result from glycemic dysregulation. Whether use of a hybrid closed loop (HCL) insulin delivery system with integrated continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) designed for improving glycemic control, relates to better sleep across time in this population remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to describe long-term changes in glycemic control and objective sleep after initiating hybrid closed loop (HCL) insulin delivery in adults with type 1 diabetes and hypoglycemia unawareness. To accomplish this, six adults (median age=58 y) participated in an 18-month ongoing trial assessing HCL effectiveness. Glycemic control and sleep were measured using continuous glucose monitoring and wrist accelerometers every 3 months. Paired sample t-tests and Cohen's d effect sizes modeled glycemic and sleep changes and the magnitude of these changes from baseline to 9 months. Reduced hypoglycemia (d=0.47-0.79), reduced basal insulin requirements (d=0.48), and a smaller glucose coefficient of variation (d=0.47) occurred with medium-large effect sizes from baseline to 9 months. Hypoglycemia awareness improved from baseline to 6 months with medium-large effect sizes (Clarke score (d=0.60), lability index (d=0.50), HYPO score (d=1.06)). Shorter sleep onset latency (d=1.53; p

Habitual physical activity patterns in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults

Malone, S. K., Patterson, F., Grunin, L., Melkus, G. D., Riegel, B., Punjabi, N., Yu, G., Urbanek, J., Crainiceanu, C., & Pack, A. (2021). In Translational Behavioral Medicine (Vols. 11, Issues 2, pp. 332-341). 10.1093/tbm/ibaa002
Abstract
Abstract
Physical inactivity is a leading determinant of noncommunicable diseases. Yet, many adults remain physically inactive. Physical activity guidelines do not account for the multidimensionality of physical activity, such as the type or variety of physical activity behaviors. This study identified patterns of physical activity across multiple dimensions (e.g., frequency, duration, and variety) using a nationally representative sample of adults. Sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, and clinical characteristics associated with each physical activity pattern were defined. Multivariate finite mixture modeling was used to identify patterns of physical activity among 2003-2004 and 2005-2006 adult National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey participants. Chi-square tests were used to identify sociodemographic differences within each physical activity cluster and test associations between the physical activity clusters with health behaviors and clinical characteristics. Five clusters of physical activity patterns were identified: (a) low frequency, short duration (n = 730, 13%); (b) low frequency, long duration (n = 392, 7%); (c) daily frequency, short duration (n = 3,011, 55%); (d) daily frequency, long duration (n = 373, 7%); and (e) high frequency, average duration (n = 964, 18%). Walking was the most common form of activity; highly active adults engaged in more varied types of activity. High-activity clusters were comprised of a greater proportion of younger, White, nonsmoking adult men reporting moderate alcohol use without mobility problems or chronic health conditions. Active females engaged in frequent short bouts of activity. Data-driven approaches are useful for identifying clusters of physical activity that encompass multiple dimensions of activity. These activity clusters vary across sociodemographic and clinical subgroups.