BH Track Lead – Hannah Schreier
Primary mentors – Hannah Schreier, Erika Lunkenheimer, Idan Shalev, Chad Shenk
One of the most important challenges for researchers focusing on the biology and health following CM experiences will be to better understand the complex ways in which multiple key physiological systems act in tandem to shape the lifelong health and well-being trajectories of CM survivors. A substantial literature already links CM to increased risk of many common chronic diseases of aging, behavioral well-being, and all-cause mortality later in life. In addition to research on distinct health problems, the field is also beginning to understand the ways in which CM alters some of the physiological mechanisms that, in the long run, may result in these increased morbidity and mortality rates. The CMT32 will provide trainees with the opportunity to study these very questions, including via the TCCMS prospective cohort study of 900 youth who experienced CM and matched comparison youth without a CM history and other R01/21 projects led by Program Faculty. Many Program Faculty are also interested in how youth’s psychosocial environments and experiences shape associations between CM experiences and health.
Primary and secondary mentors in the BH track have expertise in many areas of research, including, but not limited to:
- Neuroendocrine regulation (Dorn, Engeland, Schreier, Shalev, Wadsworth)
- Inflammation/immunity (Engeland, Schreier)
- Biological aging (Shalev, Shenk)
- Genetics/Epigenetics (Gould, Shalev, Vandenbergh)
- Metabolomics (Patterson)
- EEG collection (Buss, Gatzke-Kopp, Perez-Edgar)
- Autonomic nervous system activation (Buss, Gatzke-Kopp, Lunkenheimer, Wadsworth)
- General biomarkers of stress (Engeland, Schreier, Shalev, Smyth)
- Use of wearables/EMA (Almeida, Buxton, Smyth)
- Morbidity/mortality following CM (Almeida, Buxton, Gatzke-Kopp, Noll, Schreier, Shenk, Smyth)
Trainees may choose to focus on any (but not all!) of the above. Prior experience in these areas of research is not required. If desired, training in human subjects research and/or animal research and/or hands-on bench science will be provided as part of the T32 experience in associated laboratories.
