Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research (IBMR)

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

MalarkeySheridanImageRTFEstablished 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 and labs

Bailey Lab of Host-Microbe Interactions in Health and Disease PI: Dr. Michael Bailey
Barrientos Laboratory for Behavioral Neuroimmunology with a Focus on Aging PI: Dr. Ruth Barrientos
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
Pyter Lab for Behavioral Neuroimmunology of Cancer PI: Dr. Leah Pyter
Stress and Health Research Program PI: Dr. Janice Kiecolt-Glaser
Stress, Behavioral Immunology, and Health Disparities Research Program PI: Dr. Lisa Christian

Educational programs

Integrative Immunobiology Training Program 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.
Multidisciplinary Academic Research Training in Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Sciences The College of Dentistry hosts the CTOC program (a T32 Training Grant Program). 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.

More about the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research

Publications View the past 5 years of publications from the IBMR.

Our Location

Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research
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

About our multidisciplinary 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

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Leah Pyter, PhD

Director of Institute of Behavioral Medicine

Associate Professor, Psychiatry and Neuroscience

Clinical profile

Publications

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William Malarkey, MD

Associate Director, Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research

William Malarkey is the associate director of the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research and director of The Ohio State Clinical Research Center. He is faculty emeritus-retiree in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine. His research interests include stress and health outcomes.

Clinical profile

Publications

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John Sheridan, PhD

Interim Director, Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research

John Sheridan is the interim director of the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research and holds the George C. Paffenbarger Alumni Endowed Chair in Research. He is a professor of Oral Biology and of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics at Ohio State.

Clinical profile

Publications

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Jonathan Godbout, PhD

Assistant Director for Basic Science, Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research; Professor, Neuroscience

Dr. Godbout is a Professor of Neuroscience at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He is also appointed in the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research and Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair.

Clinical profile

Publications

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