Science AMA Series: I’m Dr Karen Mifsud, Senior Research Associate at
the University of Bristol, I am investigating the processes that occur
in the brain after exposure to stress and how these facilitate
behavioural responses, AMA!
- Karen_Mifsud ,
- r/Science AMAs
Abstract
Hi reddit! My name is Karen Mifsud. I’m Senior Research Associate at the
University of Bristol in the Neuro-Epigenetic Research Group. Our
current research is investigating how the brain copes with stress. I am
specifically interested in the molecular changes that occur in the brain
to facilitate adaptive behavioural responses, as a mechanism for coping
with stressful situations. This area of research is really important so
we can identify impairments in these processes that may mediate the
development of stress-related diseases such as Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder, Depression and Anxiety. For more information about our
research please look here. Given that April is Stress Awareness month I
thought it would be a perfect time to take part in an AMA session. I am
happy to answer questions on my research, how animals are used in
science, careers in science etc. so ‘Ask me Anything!’ I’ll be back to
asnwer your questions at 10am ET/3pm GMT. AMA! This AMA has been
organised by Understanding Animal Research and The Physiological
Society. Edit 2: Thank you for all the questions and I’m sorry I did not
get round to answering you all. Many of you have asked how you can cope
better with stressful situations, well, after this hour long increase in
my stress levels I will be attacking my easter egg stash to facilitate
an appropriate recovery