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Gerald Giesbrecht, PhD
PhD in Psychology University of Victoria
Areas of Research
Developmental Psychobiology
In North America, approximately one quarter to one third of all pregnant people experience some form of psychological stress during pregnancy. Although some forms of mild stress may actually be beneficial, exposure to high levels or persistent stress during gestation significantly increases the risk for the emergence of emotional, behavioural, and cognitive disorders in children. The Developmental Psychobiology Laboratory seeks to discover how stress during gestation and in the early years becomes biologically embedded in children’s development. Our objectives are to understand the risk and resilience factors that exacerbate or mitigate the effects of stress on children’s development. Thus, research in the Developmental Psychobiology Lab clusters around two major themes: Understanding the biological mechanisms that project the effects of early experience onto future development Understanding the biological, psychological and social factors that interrupt or transform the negative effects of stress. By understanding how stress 'gets under the skin' of children and what modifiable factors may prevent or ameliorate these effects, the overall aim of Developmental Psychobiology Lab is to improve the health and developmental outcomes of children exposed to early life adversity.
In North America, approximately one quarter to one third of all pregnant people experience some form of psychological stress during pregnancy. Although some forms of mild stress may actually be beneficial, exposure to high levels or persistent stress during gestation significantly increases the risk for the emergence of emotional, behavioural, and cognitive disorders in children. The Developmental Psychobiology Laboratory seeks to discover how stress during gestation and in the early years becomes biologically embedded in children’s development. Our objectives are to understand the risk and resilience factors that exacerbate or mitigate the effects of stress on children’s development. Thus, research in the Developmental Psychobiology Lab clusters around two major themes: Understanding the biological mechanisms that project the effects of early experience onto future development Understanding the biological, psychological and social factors that interrupt or transform the negative effects of stress. By understanding how stress 'gets under the skin' of children and what modifiable factors may prevent or ameliorate these effects, the overall aim of Developmental Psychobiology Lab is to improve the health and developmental outcomes of children exposed to early life adversity.
Supervising degrees
Clinical Psychology - Masters: Seeking Students
Clinical Psychology - Doctoral: Seeking Students
Medical Science - Masters: Accepting Inquiries
Medical Science - Doctoral: Seeking Students
More information
Working with this supervisor
Potential students will be at the MSc or PhD level and will have an interest in any of the following: the effects of stress on sleep, mental health or neurocognitive development; resilience factors such as social relationships, the role of gut microbiome in child development; the role of the gut microbiome in mental health and socioemotional development
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