Departments and Centers

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614-293-0178

The IBMR functions as an incubator to create and disseminate cutting edge mind-body research that will enhance individual and community health.

Established in 1996, the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research (IBMR) is the cornerstone of a broad research program at The Ohio State University in the field of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) – the study of how the brain interacts with the body's immune system. This field has evolved from a novel area of curiosity to an important scientific field, one that has meaningful implications for public health and great promise for enhancing medical treatments.

Our researchers represent expertise in the fields of immunology, virology, psychiatry, psychology, endocrinology, molecular biology, behavior, oncology and the neurosciences. Recent work by our researchers has shown that:

Chronic stress can weaken the immune status of caregivers, thereby increasing their risk for certain diseases.
High levels of psychological stress can impede wound healing, impairing recovery from minor procedures to major surgery.
High levels of stress may interfere with the efficacy of bacterial and viral vaccines.
Even among healthy, “happy” individuals, minor psychological stress can negatively impact health.

Our Team

At the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, our multidisciplinary team collaborates to translate discoveries into life-changing treatments.

Learn more

News

Our Research Programs and Labs

Bailey Lab of Host-Microbe Interactions in Health and Disease PI: Dr. Michael Bailey

Cardiopulmonary Behavioral Medicine Laboratory PI: Dr. Charles Emery

Godbout Lab for Neuroimmunology, Neurotrauma, and Behavior PI: Dr. Jonathan P. Godbout

Gur Lab for improving wellness in women and children through mental health research PI: Dr. Tamar Gur

Nelson Lab for Circadian Rhythms and Sleep PI: Dr. Randy Nelson

Pyter Lab for Behavioral Neuroimmunology of Cancer PI: Dr. Leah Pyter

Stress and Health Research Program PI: Dr. Janice Kiecolt-Glaser

Stress and Health in Pregnancy Research Program PI: Dr. Lisa Christian

Education Programs

The Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research offers two training programs – the CTOC Training Program and the Integrative Immunobiology Training Program

CTOC Training Program

The College of Dentistry hosts the CTOC program, where trainees have the opportunity to participate in outstanding research in Inflammation and Immunity, Wound Healing, Cancer Biology, Chemical Senses, Psychoneuroimmunology, Microbial Pathogenesis, Biomaterials, Molecular Genetics, and other exciting areas.

For more information, visit CTOC Program.

Integrative Immunobiology Training Program

The areas of neuroimmunology, neuroendocrinimmunology, neuroimmunomodulation and psychoneuroimmunology were pioneered so that disciplines outside of classical immunology could design novel approaches to address specific hypotheses related to the neuro-endocrine-immune interrelationship. Thirteen scientists at The Ohio State University, trained in the classical disciplines of immunology, virology, endocrinology, psychology, neuroscience and pharmacology, work together to conduct research in all four of these immunology areas. The overall goal of our training program is to encourage and support broad-based, early-stage training in integrative immunobiology, using an institutional training grant mechanism. It is expected that our training program will enhance the knowledge base in basic and disease-related research.

Learn more about the program, the participating faculty and their research.

Affiliated Graduate Programs

College of Dentistry Oral Biology Graduate Program

College of Medicine Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program

Department of Microbiology

Department of Neuroscience

Department of Psychology

Grants

The Institute has garnered more than $140 million in research grants in the last decade, including two major program project grants from the National Institutes of Health, making the IBMR one of the world's foremost centers for the study of mind-body interactions.

Our Location

Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research
460 Medical Center Drive
Columbus, OH 43210

Business Office

Sara Wilson
Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, Rm 120
460 Medical Center Drive
Columbus, OH 43210
614-293-0178
Sara.Wilson@osumc.edu

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IMBR

Michael Irwin, MD from UCLA presented the Simson Lecture at the 2017 IBMR Research Day on April 5, 2017.
IBMR faculty members Dr. Tamar Gur (left) and Dr. Leah Pyter (right) stand with Dan McKim (center) who was the 2017 recipient of the Ronald Glaser Travel Award.
IBMR faculty members Dr. Tamar Gur (left) and Dr. Leah Pyter (right) stand with Anzela Niraula (center) who received an Outstanding Poster Award.

Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research