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.
- Diets high in saturated fats can lead to exaggerated neuroinflammation and memory deficits in older individuals.
- Postoperative opiates, such as morphine, can lead to exaggerated neuroinflammation and long-lasting memory impairments in older individuals.
- Implementing comprehensive opiate-sparing pain management protocols for surgical patients decreases hospital opiate use and also lessens use 30-days after discharge.
- Doing brain exercise before major surgery may lower risk of postoperative delirium.
- Virus-induced chronic inflammation from persistent infections plays a role in the immune and cognitive dysfunction that occurs in Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, Gulf War illness and Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 syndrome. Biomarkers are being developed that can be used for the differential diagnoses of these syndromes.
Research Programs/Labs
Education Programs
The Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research offers two training programs – the CTOC Training Program and the Integrative Immunobiology Training Program
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CTOC Training Program
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Integrative Immunobiology Training Program
More about the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research
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Grants
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Affiliated Graduate Programs
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Ways to Give
News
IBMR Events
IBMR Faculty enjoying the annual faculty dinner at Z Cucina.
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.
Our Location
Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research
460 Medical Center Drive
Columbus, OH 43210
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
Our Team
At the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, our multidisciplinary team collaborates to translate discoveries into life-changing treatments.
The IBMR team comprises faculty researchers, making this interdisciplinary group perhaps the largest contingent of psychoneuroimmunology researchers in the world.
Our researchers have appointments in basic and clinical science departments and centers, including:
- The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
- College of Medicine
- Center for Microbial Pathogenesis
- College of Nursing
- College of Public Health Division of Biostatistics
- Department of Human Sciences
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity
- Department of Neuroscience
- Department of Neurological Surgery
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Department of Pediatrics
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
- Department of Psychology
Our Leaders
Our Researchers
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Maria Eugenia Ariza, PhD Assistant Professor, Cancer Biology and Genetics
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Michael Bailey, PhD College of Medicine Principal Investigator, Center for Microbial Pathogenesis
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Ruth Barrientos, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
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Martha Belury, PhD, RDN Carol S. Kenney Professor of Nutrition
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Lisa Christian, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
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Charles Emery, PhD Professor and Department Chair, Clinical Faculty, Department of Psychology
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Erica Glasper, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Neuroscience
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Johnathan Godbout, PhD Assistant Director for Basic Science, Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research
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Stephanie Gorka, PhD Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
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Mireia Guerau-de-Arellano, PharmD, PhD Associate Professor, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Medical Laboratory Science Division
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Tamar Gur, MD, PhD Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Department of Neuroscience, and Department Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Michelle Humeidan, MD, PhD Assistant Professor, Anesthesiology, Division of Neuroanesthesiology
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Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, PhD Director, Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research
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Anthony King, PhD Associate Professor - Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health, Director - Center for Resilience
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Olga N. Kokiko-Cochran, PhD Assistant Professor, Department of Neuroscience
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Kathryn Lenz, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Psychology and Department of Neuroscience
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William B. Malarkey, MD Director, Clinical Research Center, Associate Director, Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research
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Phillip Popovich, PhD Director, Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair; Professor and Chair, Department of Neuroscience; Director, Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair
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Leah Pyter, PhD Associate Professor, Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research
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John Sheridan, PhD, MS Associate Director, Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research
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Baldwin Way, PhD Associate Professor of Psychology
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Marshall Williams, PhD Professor, Cancer Biology and Genetics, and Microbiology