Genes, Environment, Nervous System and Behaviour

The Genes, Environment, Nervous System and Behaviour (GENAB) cluster is a strongly interdisciplinary group that includes UTM psychologists (Fleming, Gerlai, Holmes, Kramer, Monks, Smith), as well as several UTM biologists. These researchers use leading edge genetic, molecular, and behavioural neuroscience technologies to understand how gene-environment interactions result in individual variations in development and behaviour in humans and diverse model organisms. Another line of research concerns human genetic disorders and a third line examines the behavioural and neuropsychological consequences of a variety of disorders of the central nervous system in children. The formation of the GENAB group has enabled the support of new interdisciplinary training programs including the undergraduate Specialist program in Behaviour, Genetics and Neurobiology.

Faculty Members

Fleming, Alison
neurobiology of maternal behavior in rat and human mothers. We study the role of hormones, sensory factors, experience, brain, neurotransmitters, and genetics in parenting

Gerlai, Robert
behaviour genetics, behavioural neuroscience, zebrafish, mouse, animal learning and memory, animal models of alcoholism, animal models of fear and anxiety, social behaviour, behavioural phenotyping

Holmes, Melissa
behavioural neuroscience; neuroendorinology; neuroplasticity; social behaviour; social status

Kraemer, Gary
developmental psychopathology; central nervous system; postnatal environment; sensoric-motor mechanisms; recognition and memory; cognition and emotion

Monks, Ashley
sex differences, sexual development, hormones, testosterone, neuroanatomy, sexual behaviour, neuromuscular dystems, kennedy disease/SBMA

Smith, Mary Lou
disorders of central nervous system in children; epilepsy; behavior and neuropsychology; long-term effects of epilepsy surgery; neurodevelopment and human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV); spatial memory.