29 July 2026

The Geneva Foundation Names Dr. Lillian Skeiky as 2025 Researcher of the Year

Bethesda, MD — The Geneva Foundation (Geneva) has named Lillian Skeiky, PhD, its 2025 Researcher of the Year, recognizing her as an early career investigator advancing research in sleep deprivation, cognitive performance, and operational readiness in military populations.

Dr. Skeiky serves as a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Sleep and Wearables Operational Research for Readiness and Defense (SWORD) Lab, where her research examines the biological and behavioral effects of sleep deprivation and their impact on cognitive performance, recovery, and neurological resilience.

Established by Geneva’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) in 2014, the Researcher of the Year Award recognizes an investigator who demonstrates exceptional scientific innovation, military relevance, and leadership potential in advancing military medical research. This year, the award places particular emphasis on emerging and early career principal investigators whose work shows strong potential to influence future research and operational capability.

Dr. Skeiky was selected for rapidly establishing a research portfolio focused on sleep neuroscience, biomarkers, and performance science in military-relevant environments. Her work seeks to better understand why some individuals are more vulnerable to sleep loss while others maintain performance under operational stress.

“Dr. Skeiky’s research moves beyond simply identifying the effects of sleep deprivation and instead examines the underlying biology that may explain why some individuals are more resilient to sleep loss than others,” said COL (Ret) Stuart Tyner, PhD, Chair of Geneva’s SAB. “Her work applies innovative science to a challenge that directly affects cognitive performance, operational readiness, and long-term warfighter health.”

Her current research includes studies exploring proteomic and inflammatory responses to total sleep deprivation, as well as biomarkers associated with mild traumatic brain injury and neurological resilience.

“As an early career investigator, Dr. Skeiky represents the type of scientific leadership Geneva is proud to recognize,” said Elise W. Huszar, MBA, President and CEO of Geneva. “Her research combines scientific innovation with strong military relevance, helping advance understanding of challenges that directly impact Service member readiness and performance.”

“This recognition is both humbling and deeply meaningful,” said Dr. Skeiky. “I am grateful to The Geneva Foundation, the Scientific Advisory Board, and the mentors and colleagues who have supported my transition into military research. I look forward to continuing work that advances the health, readiness, and resilience of the Warfighter.”

Dr. Skeiky earned her PhD in Experimental Psychology from Washington State University in 2024, with a concentration in sleep neuroscience and behavioral genetics.

She will be formally recognized and presented with the 2025 Researcher of the Year Award during the Scientific Advisory Board Meeting in October.

About The Geneva Foundation

The Geneva Foundation advances military medical research that addresses the evolving health challenges of modern warfare. By aligning expertise, partnerships, and research infrastructure across the military medical research enterprise, Geneva transforms mission requirements into solutions that strengthen readiness, improve health outcomes, save lives, and extend the impact of military medicine beyond the battlefield. This work strengthens readiness, improves health outcomes for Service members, and extends the impact of military medical research to healthcare across the nation.