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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
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.
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.
More about the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research
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.
Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research Fund
This fund supports the teaching and research mission of the Ohio State Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research. The fund will also support faculty development and professional growth.
The Ronald Glaser PhD Memorial Lectureship Fund
Supports a lectureship in the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research
Diversity in Neuroscience Scholarship Fund
The Diversity in Neuroscience Scholarship Fund promotes equity and inclusion within the NGP and the neuroscience field by providing an entry point for students whose backgrounds are fraught with steep barriers, absent from other students’ experiences, that severely limit their ability to access, compete for or manage graduate-level opportunities. Scholarship recipients will benefit from interdisciplinary training and mentorship with distinguished Ohio State faculty as part of the doctoral program that aims to produce tomorrow’s pioneers in brain research.
News
IBMR Events
Our Location
Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research
460 Medical Center Drive
Columbus, OH 43210
460 Medical Center Drive
Columbus, OH 43210
Administrator
Dena Bell, MBA
Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, Rm 130B
460 Medical Center Drive
Columbus, OH 43210
614-257-3847
Dena.Bell@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
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, College of Medicine Principal Investigator, Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital Adjunct Associate Professor of Biosciences, The Ohio State University, College of Dentistry
Michael.Bailey2@nationwidechildrens.org
614-722-2764
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Michael.Bailey2@nationwidechildrens.org
614-722-2764
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Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research
614-293-6591
Ruth.Barrientos@osumc.edu
Carol S. Kenney Professor of Nutrition
Belury.1@osu.edu
614-292-1680
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Belury.1@osu.edu
614-292-1680
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Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
Lisa.Christian@osumc.edu
614-293-0936
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Lisa.Christian@osumc.edu
614-293-0936
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Professor and Department Chair
Clinical Faculty, Department of Psychology
Emery.33@osu.edu
614-688-3061
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Clinical Faculty, Department of Psychology
Emery.33@osu.edu
614-688-3061
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Assistant Director for Basic Science, Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research; Professor, Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair
Jonathan.Godbout@osumc.edu
614-293-3456
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
Stephanie.Gorka@osumc.edu
614-366-1027
Stephanie.Gorka@osumc.edu
614-366-1027
Associate Professor, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Medical Laboratory Science Division; Courtesy Joint Faculty Appointment, Department of Neuroscience; Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity
Mireia.Guerau@osumc.edu
614-293-4176
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Mireia.Guerau@osumc.edu
614-293-4176
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Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Department of Neuroscience, and Department Obstetrics and Gynecology
Associate Director, Medial Scientist Training Program
Gur.2@osu.edu
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Associate Director, Medial Scientist Training Program
Gur.2@osu.edu
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Assistant Professor, Anesthesiology, Division of Neuroanesthesiology
Michelle.Humeidan@osumc.edu
614-293-7308
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Michelle.Humeidan@osumc.edu
614-293-7308
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Distinguished University Professor; Brumbaugh Chair in Brain Research and Teaching; Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
Kiecolt-Glaser.1@osu.edu
614-293-3499
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Kiecolt-Glaser.1@osu.edu
614-293-3499
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Associate Professor - Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health
Director - Center for Resilience
Director - Center for Resilience
Assistant Professor
College of Medicine
Department of Neuroscience
Faculty, Chronic Brain Injury
614-366-3642
Olga.Kokiko-cochran@osumc.edu
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology and Department of Neuroscience
Lenz.56@osu.edu
614-292-8565
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Lenz.56@osu.edu
614-292-8565
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Professor Emeritus, Department of Internal Medicine, Director, Clinical Research Center, Associate Director, Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research
William.Malarkey@osumc.edu
614-293-8775
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William.Malarkey@osumc.edu
614-293-8775
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Professor and Chair, Department of Neuroscience
Co-Director, Neuroscience Research Institute
Director, Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair
Faculty Affiliate, Chronic Brain Injury
Popovich.2@osu.edu
614-688-8576
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Associate Professor, Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research
Associate Professor, Psychiatry and Neuroscience
Co-Director, Neuroscience Graduate Program
Leah.Pyter@osumc.edu
614-293-3496
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Associate Professor, Psychiatry and Neuroscience
Co-Director, Neuroscience Graduate Program
Leah.Pyter@osumc.edu
614-293-3496
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Interim Director, Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research
John.Sheridan@osumc.edu
614-293-3571
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John.Sheridan@osumc.edu
614-293-3571
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Professor, Cancer Biology and Genetics, and Microbiology
Williams.70@osu.edu
614-293-6175
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Williams.70@osu.edu
614-293-6175
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