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My PhD Title: The psychobiology of adverse childhood experiences and depression: Exploring the interplay between genetic and early-life environmental influences across the life course”.
Supervisors: Prof Andrew Steptoe (Primary), Dr Rebecca Lacey, Dr Karoline Kuchenbaecker
The aim of my PhD project is to provide a comprehensive examination of the psychobiological pathways through which exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) might affect the development of the inflammatory and neuroendocrine systems and increase the risk of depression. Furthermore, it addresses the complex interplay between genetic and early-life environmental influences in the psychobiological pathways leading to depression across the life course. To this end, my project integrates social, biological, and genetic data from two large cohort studies (i.e., Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children; English Longitudinal Study of Ageing) focusing on four main objectives:
1) To examine the longitudinal associations between ACEs (i.e., cumulative risk, dimensions, timing), inflammatory and neuroendocrine processes, and depressive symptoms.
2) To investigate the possible mediational role of inflammatory and neuroendocrine mechanisms in the pathways linking ACEs with depression.
3) To explore the genetic aetiology of depression and inflammatory and neuroendocrine responses using polygenic approaches.
4) To study the role of the aforementioned genetic liabilities in the associations of ACEs with depression and inflammatory and neuroendocrine responses, testing potential gene-environment interactions.
My Background
My interest in early-life experiences and mental health research developed during my BSc in Psychology at the University of Manchester where I conducted a comprehensive study of trauma and psychotic-like phenomena in young people. Whilst studying as an undergraduate I worked as a research assistant on a number of mental health projects within the School of Psychology. Additionally, I completed an internship in a mental health charity where I provided support to people suffering from depression and anxiety. My MSc in Social Statistics equipped me with invaluable research skills and advanced statistical techniques to study mental and physical health in the general population utilising large epidemiological datasets. As part of my MSc thesis, I conducted a longitudinal study examining the association between socioeconomic position, stress, and physical health in the UK Household Longitudinal Study. My research interests ultimately led me to undertake a 4-year PhD within the Department of Behavioural Science and Health funded by the Soc-B Centre for Doctoral Training (ESRC-BBSRC). During the first year of the PhD programme, I completed two rotation projects where I investigated the link between social support and neuroendocrine processes, and genetic influences on substance use applying polygenic approaches. Such work contributed to the development of my own PhD project which focuses on the interplay between ACEs and genetic factors in inflammatory and neuroendocrine processes linked to depression.
Qualifications
MSc Social Research Methods and Statistics, The University of Manchester, Distinction (2016-2017)
BSc Psychology (Hons), The University of Manchester, First Class (2013-2016)
Awards
Scholar Award, American Psychosomatic Association (2019)
Soc-B PhD studentship in biosocial research, jointly funded by the ESRC and BBSRC (2017-2021)
MSc Social Statistics full-tuition scholarship, School of Social Sciences, The University of Manchester (2016-2017)
Publications
- Iob, E., Steptoe, A., 2019. Cardiovascular Disease and Hair Cortisol: A novel biomarker of chronic stress. Current Cardiology Reports. doi.org/10.1007/s11886-019-1208-7.
- Iob, E., Kirschbaum, C., Steptoe, A., 2019. Persistent Depressive Symptoms, HPA-axis Hyperactivity, and Inflammation: The Role of Cognitive-Affective and Somatic Symptoms. Molecular Psychiatry. doi: 10.1038/s41380-019-0501-6.
- Iob, E., Kirschbaum, C., Steptoe, A., 2018. Positive and Negative Social Support and HPA-axis Hyperactivity: Evidence from Glucocorticoids in Human Hair. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 96, 100-108. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.06.008.
Appointments
Teaching Fellow in Quantitative Research Methods, MSc Political Science (2019-Present).
Postgraduate Teaching Assistant in Quantitative Research Methods, Q-Step Centre, University College London (2018-Present).
Postgraduate Teaching Assistant, MSc Health Psychology, University College London (2017-Present).
Contact details Email: eleonora.iob.17@ucl.ac.uk
Twitter handle: @Eleonora_Iob
