Ian Hellstrom is a McGill University PhD Candidate. His research at the Douglas Institute, under the direction of Michael Meaney, PhD, focuses on mechanisms by which maternal care can affect genes and program development. This research provides a unique insight into how early life environment can influence mental health, particularly symptoms of anxiety and depression.
My mother, like I imagine most mothers do, has pictures of me and my brother on her desk at work. When interested parties (inevitably other mothers) ask what we do for our livings, she tells them she has one son that’s a “computer geek,” and another that’s “Dr. Frankenstein.” Clearly I’m the one who has [...]