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Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care

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Psychobiology

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The Psychobiology research group is concerned with the pathways through which sociodemographic and psychosocial factors influence mental and physical disease processes. A major aim of the group is to understand how socioeconomic factors (e.g. social status), psychological states (e.g. depression, positive psychological wellbeing), and social factors (e.g. isolation, loneliness, and social and cultural engagement) 'get under the skin', and influence biological functions in health and disease. We have a particular interest in health at older ages, including long-term conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cognitive impairment, and dementia. A second theme is an investigation of lifestyle and patterns of health and social behaviour and how behaviours interact with biological processes to affect disease risk. A third theme is understanding the biological, psychological, and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the general population and specific patient groups. Our research includes experimental studies focusing on neuroendocrine and neuro-immune biomarkers, behaviour change interventions, clinical trials, implementation science studies, and secondary data analyses of cohort studies and electronic patient records.


Group members

Academic staff: Professor Andrew Steptoe

Research staff:  Dr Sarah Assaad, Dr Mikaela BloombergDr Laura Brocklebank, Dr Shabina Hayat, Dr Claryn Kung, Dr Jingmin Zhu


Contact 

This group is led by Professor Andrew Steptoe (a.steptoe@ucl.ac.uk)


Research 

Ongoing Projects 

Completed Projects 


Publications - Andrew Steptoe

https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/5619-andrew-steptoe/publications