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My PhD Title: Early-life psychosocial adversity, HPA-axis function, and stress-related mental disorders: Exploring the interplay between environmental and genetic influences across the life course.
Supervisor: Prof Andrew Steptoe (Primary), Dr Rebecca Lacey, Dr Karoline Kuchenbaecker, Prof Tarani Chandola
Lay summary: The aim of my PhD project is to provide a comprehensive examination of the biopsychosocial pathways through which exposure to early-life adversity may affect the development of the stress response system (i.e., HPA-axis) and vulnerability to stress-related psychopathology such as depression and anxiety disorders. Furthermore, it will consider the complex interplay between genetic and environmental influences on HPA-axis and mental health function across the life course. To this end, my project will integrate environmental, biological, and genetic data from a cohort of young adults (i.e., Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children) and a cohort of older people (i.e., English Longitudinal Study of Ageing) focusing on four main objectives:
1) To examine the longitudinal associations between early-life adversity (i.e., cumulative risk, dimensions, timing), HPA-axis activity, and depression and anxiety.
2) To investigate the possible mediational role of HPA-axis function in the pathways linking early-life adversity with depression and anxiety.
3) To explore the genetic aetiology of cortisol, depression, and anxiety disorders using polygenic approaches.
4) To test the role of the aforementioned genetic liabilities in the associations between early-life adversity, cortisol, and stress-related psychopathology, examining both their main effects and potential polygenic gene-environment interactions.
My Background My interest in mental health developed during my BSc in Psychology at the University of Manchester where I conducted a comprehensive study of trauma and psychotic experiences. Whilst studying as an undergraduate I worked as a research assistant on a number of mental health projects within the university's department 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 population mental health utilising large epidemiological datasets. As part of my MSc thesis, I conducted a longitudinal analysis examining the association between socioeconomic position, stress, and physical health in the UK population. My research interests ultimately led me to undertake a 4-year PhD within the Soc-B CDT in the IEHC. During the first year of my PhD I completed two rotation projects where I investigated the link between social support and HPA-axis activity, 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 early-life experiences and genetic factors in HPA-axis function and stress-related mental disorders.
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
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., Kirschbaum, C., Steptoe, A., 2018. Positive and Negative Social Support and HPA-axis Hyperactivity: Evidence from Glucocorticoids in Human Hair. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 96, 100-108.
Appointments
Postgraduate Teaching Assistant in Epidemiological Research Methods, IEHC, UCL (2017-Present)
Postgraduate Teaching Assistant in Quantitative Research Methods, Q-Step Centre, UCL (2018-Present)
Contact details Email: eleonora.iob.17@ucl.ac.uk
Twitter handle: @Eleonora_Iob
