Members

Jessica joined the lab interested in how intergenerational transmission of experience influences the developmental trajectory of future children. In her current role, she provides broad research support while growing engagement opportunities that bring science out of the lab and into the community. As a mom of two young children, Jessica is passionate about supporting child brain development and maternal wellbeing as a means for promoting health equity. Favorite out-of-work activities include outdoor concerts, exploring new places, and tending to her self-sufficient fig trees.

Aly earned her B.S. in Biological Sciences and Psychology from the University of Denver in the spring of 2022. She joined the Laboratory of Translational Psychiatry in September 2022 as a research technician/lab manager. Her research interests include trans-/inter-generational transmission of parental experiences and translational work investigating the mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric disorders. In her free time, Aly enjoys reading, crafting, and trying out new eateries in Denver. She hopes to earn her MD/PhD in the near future.

Isabelle Sibley is a research technician who joined the lab in January of 2023. Her research interests include mechanistic studies following trauma at different timepoints during development. Outside of the lab she enjoys beekeeping, reading, and botanical studies. She plans to pursue a graduate degree in neuroscience in the near future.

Caio is an exchange PhD student in Neuroscience from the Federal University of ABC (UFABC), Brazil. He specializes in bioinformatic, statistical modeling and data analysis. His focus is to create models integrating diverse data types to evaluate how exposure to stress modulates developing phenotypes.

Nickole's research focuses on cellular mechanisms of allostasis following stress. As extracellular vesicles secreted by epididymal epithelial cells (EECs) are essential to sperm maturation, her thesis focuses on the role of epigenetics and mitochondria in establishing a new allostatic set point at the EEC, and the downstream impact on sperm mediated by stress-dependent changes in secreted EEC extracellular vesicle cargo. Outside of the lab, she enjoys coffee, figure skating, marathon running, climbing and hiking, yoga, and supporting families living with serious mental illness.

Austin (he/him) received a BA in Psychology (Biology minor) from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and an MSc and PhD in Psychology and Neuroscience from Dalhousie University. His predoctoral work focused on the impact of paternal stress and diet on maternal investment and sex-specific brain development. As a postdoctoral fellow, Austin uses transgenic mouse models and behavioral, biochemical, and electrophysiological techniques to explore the impact stress on somatosensation. Outside of the lab he enjoys hiking, climbing, and hanging with the dogs.

His research interests focus on the comprehensive understanding of how maternal environmental stressors impact neural developmental pathways in humans utilizing a non-human primate preclinical model. His work has examined the influence of maternal environmental factors such as nutrition, metabolic, and inflammatory state on offspring brain development with an emphasis on neuroinflammatory mechanism underlying neurotypical brain development. He aims to further understand the role additional environmental factors, such as maternal stress and adversity, play in offspring brain development.

Kathryn’s research explores the connections between the immune, endocrine, and neurological systems. Her previous work examined the impact of maternal immune activation on neuropsychiatric disease risk, and the role of cytokines in brain development. Her current work investigates the biological markers of trauma exposure, focusing on its long-term health effects and the influence of socio-economic factors, with an emphasis on communities affected by interpersonal violence. Her research aims to identify predictive factors of resilience and susceptibility and develop effective interventions.

Kerstin received her MSc in Neuroscience from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and her PhD in Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences from the University of Milan, Italy. Her research focuses on the transmission of preconception parental stress to subsequent generations and the neurobiological mechanisms that contribute to the development of neuropsychiatric disorders in offspring. Besides being a scientist, Kerstin is an advanced diver and loves outdoor activities.

Rodrigo received his PhD in Pediatrics and Child Health from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. His prior research concentrated on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of stress-induced mood disorders utilizing preclinical models. Currently, as a member of Dr. Bale’s laboratory, he is investigating the role of extracellular vesicles as potential biomarkers of the stress response. Outside of the lab, Rodrigo enjoys watching soccer and playing videogames.