Dr. James focuses on the relationship between sleep, health, and performance in elite populations such as police officers, combat medics, military personnel, nurses, and top tier athletes. She is particularly interested in how sleep disruption due to shift work, and disruption of the circadian clock due to jet lag, lead to negative health outcomes and performance deficits. Through understanding the prevalence and impact of sleep deprivation and circadian disruption within these populations Dr. James creates fatigue management strategies to help build resilience and reduce the risk of performance deficits and chronic health issues. Examples of these strategies are shift-work related fatigue management plans for police officers and nurses, and jet lag management plans for athletes competing overseas.