Delegate: Sahil Kancherla
Delegate Short Bio: I am a high school student in Houston focused on adolescent sleep and public health. My work centers on how school start times affect sleep, mood, and anxiety, especially for students with sleep disorders.
I am currently conducting independent research through a pediatric sleep clinic, using parent-reported data to study how school schedules influence sleep duration and mental health outcomes. Alongside this, I serve as a national advocate with Start School Later, where I have written policy briefs and supported efforts to promote later, evidence-based school start times.
As a World Sleep Day Delegate, I organize community initiatives to raise awareness about adolescent sleep and its impact on wellbeing. My goal is to translate research into actionable policy that improves student health at scale.
Scope of Activity: Individual activity
Activity: My World Sleep Day activities focus on increasing awareness of adolescent sleep and advocating for healthier school start times in my community. I am organizing a community sleep health initiative that includes a parent-focused wellness session, where I share research on how school start times affect sleep, mood, and anxiety, especially for students with sleep disorders.
In addition, I am connecting this effort to my independent research conducted through a pediatric sleep clinic, using real data to inform discussions and make the issue more tangible for families. I am also creating and distributing educational materials that explain sleep needs, common misconceptions, and practical ways to improve sleep habits.
Through these activities, my goal is to bridge research and real-world impact by helping parents, students, and community members better understand adolescent sleep and supporting evidence-based changes in school policy.
Location: Houston, TX
Date of Activity: 03/12/2026
