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Wenzel Mini Lab: Hormonal Markers for Perinatal Risk
Investigating the role of neuroactive steroids in potential threat and reward during the perinatal period.
Discover MoreInvestigating the role of neuroactive steroids in potential threat and reward during the perinatal period.
Affective disorders are extremely heterogenous in both symptom presentation and pathophysiology. To address the unique experiences of perinatal affective disorders, the goal of our lab is to investigate the neurobiology of specific affective symptoms during the perinatal period. Specifically, we are interested in how hormonal changes during this time might influence potential threat and reward functioning in affective disorders.
Elizabeth began her doctoral studies in the Behavioral Neuroscience Program in the Department of Psychology in the fall of 2018. She is a member of Dr. Pauline Maki's laboratory within the Women's Mental Health Research Program at UIC and thus collaborates with the CLEAR Lab and Dr. Eisenlohr-Moul. She is interested in studying phenotypes of mood and anxiety disorders in women in the context of behavior and biomarkers such as neuroactive steroids, inflammatory markers, etc. Her interests particularly include periods of hormonal fluctuation (i.e. pregnancy). Elizabeth received her B.A. in Psychology and Neuroscience from Carthage College in 2018.
Abigail is a second-year biology student on the pre-medicine track at UIC. She is a member of the Honors College and the current Honors College Ball Committee Chair on the Honors College Advisory Board. She is also the Public Affairs Director for the Undergraduate Student Government, an outreach coordinator for UIC’s Dance Marathon, Sparkathon, a member of the Community Outreach Committee for the Society of Future Physicians, a member of the Dean’s LAS Student Advisory Board, and the Secretary of Rotaract, a service club in her town. Abigail also enjoys dancing in her local studio’s company as well as playing the cello. Abigail’s goal is to attend medical school with a passion for women’s health and pediatrics.
Sarah is currently a sophomore at UIC with a major in general psychology. Her academic aspirations include the UIC Nursing Program this upcoming fall. She is a CNA at Bickford Assisted Living and has been for a year, earning her license in July 2021. She has strong interests in women's health, especially pertaining to mental health. In her free time she enjoys reading, going on walks with her family and making homemade coffee!
Interested in joining our mini lab? Contact Elizabeth Wenzel at ewenze4
uic [dot] edu.
