Nina Alexander

Short info

My research focuses on molecular and systemic mechanisms in the development and treatment of stress-related psychiatric disorders. I am particularly interested in how environmental adversity across the lifespan (prenatal, childhood, adulthood) relates to (mal) adaptive epigenetic modifications and respective changes of neuroendocrine stress response systems that are directly implicated in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. In my research program, I combine DNA methylation analyses (EPIC array, epigenetic risk scores), gene expression studies, and genetic analyses (polygenic scores) with the assessment of prenatal stressors and critical life events. For a multimodal characterization of individual stress sensitivity, I use experimental stress paradigms (Trier Social Stress Test), stress hormone analyses in hair and saliva (e.g. cortisol) as well as (f)MRI.