Coordinator, Teaching and Training Bureau, Douglas Institute
Director, Academic Affairs, Douglas Institute
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University
Areas of Expertise
Stress, depression, animal models, behavioral pharmacology
Profile
It has been estimated that 75-90% of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related problems. Arguably, North America’s leading health problem, stress has been associated with impaired immune system resistance to viral-linked disorders, ranging from the common cold and herpes to AIDS and depression. Joseph Rochford, PhD arrived at the Douglas Institute Research Centre in 1991 and since has been examining how antidepressants change behavioral and biological mechanisms involved in coping with stress.
Joseph Rochford and his team are investigating various animal models of acute and chronic stress with a view to understanding innate and learned coping strategies, as well as the therapeutic effectiveness of antidepressants in alleviating stress. Dr. Rochford is also actively involved in educational and training initiatives. In addition to being associate professor of psychiatry at McGill University, he holds two positions – Director of Academic Affairs for the Douglas Institute Research Center, which is responsible for the training of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and Coordinator of the Teaching and Training Bureau of the Douglas Institute, which manages the teaching and training of students and professionals in the mental-health care disciplines.
