The School of Kinesiology is excited to highlight the work of Dr. Gabriel Zieff, a postdoctoral fellow funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Killam Trusts. Dr. Zieff has been conducting interdisciplinary research that bridges kinesiology and clinical psychology, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of movement sciences in understanding mental health and well-being.
Currently, Dr. Zieff is based in the Fitness, Aging, and Stress (FAST) Lab within the School of Kinesiology and is co-supervised in the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Lab in the Department of Psychology. This dual affiliation allows him to explore research questions that go beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries, particularly in the realm of stress, self-compassion, and early life adversity.
This month, Dr. Zieff will be presenting his latest research at the Society of Behavioral Medicine’s Annual Meeting in Seattle, WA. His work focuses on how self-compassion influences biological and psychological responses to acute stress in adolescents. Additionally, he is investigating how exposure to early life adversity—such as neglect and abuse—may shape this relationship.
Dr. Zieff’s research has the potential to inform interventions that enhance resilience and stress management strategies among young individuals. His work contributes to a growing body of literature that underscores the importance of mental health as a protective factor against stress-related health outcomes.
We look forward to Dr. Zieff’s upcoming presentation and the continued impact of his work in both the kinesiology and psychology communities. To learn more about his presentation at the Society of Behavioural Medicine’s Annual Meeting, visit the conference website.
Click the links below to read Dr. Zieff’s ‘Research Recaps’: