Thomas G. O'Connor, Ph.D.

Contact Information

Phone Numbers

Office: (585) 273-1221

Fax: (585) 273-1066

Research Labs

Wynne Center for Family Research

Visit Wynne Center for Family Research Lab Website

Locations

University of Rochester Medical Center
School of Medicine and Dentistry
601 Elmwood Ave, Box PSYCH
Rochester, NY 14642

Faculty Appointments

Professor - Department of Psychiatry , Research (SMD)
Wynne Distinguished Professor - Department of Psychiatry , Research (SMD)
Professor - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (SMD) - Joint
Professor - Department of Neuroscience (SMD) - Joint

Biography

Professional Background

Thomas G. O'Connor is Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and is Director of the Wynne Center for Family Research at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Dr. O'Connor received his PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Virginia in 1995. His research focuses the mechanisms by which early stress exposures, including prenatal maternal anxiety and caregiving stress, may persistently shape children's behavioral and biological health. His work encompasses epidemiological, observational and experimental designs and incorporates behavioral, physiological, genetic, and immunological methods.

Credentials

Education

1989
BA | University of Rochester
Psychology

1991
MA | University of Virginia
Psychology

1994-1995
Predoctoral Clinical Internship | George Washington University
Clinical

1995
PhD | University of Virginia
Clinical Psychology

Awards

2004
Association Distinguished Scientific Award for Early Career Contribution to Psychology
Sponsor: American Psychological Association

2001
Boyd McCandless Award
Sponsor: American Psychological Association, Division 7

Publications

Journal Articles

1/18/2021
Amiel Castro R, Glover V, Ehlert U, O'Connor TG. "Breastfeeding, prenatal depression and children's IQ and behaviour: a test of a moderation model." BMC pregnancy and childbirth.. 2021 Jan 18; 21(1):62. Epub 2021 Jan 18.

2021
Dunlop AL, Essalmi AG, Alvalos L, Breton C, Camargo CA, Cowell WJ, Dabelea D, Dager SR, Duarte C, Elliott A, Fichorova R, Gern J, Hedderson MM, Thepaksorn EH, Huddleston K, Karagas MR, Kleinman K, Leve L, Li X, Li Y, Litonjua A, Ludena-Rodriguez Y, Madan JC, Nino JM, McEvoy C, O'Connor TG, Padula AM, Paneth N, Perera F, Sathyanarayana S, Schmidt RJ, Schultz RT, Snowden J, Stanford JB, Trasande L, Volk HE, Wheaton W, Wright RJ, McGrath M, . "Racial and geographic variation in effects of maternal education and neighborhood-level measures of socioeconomic status on gestational age at birth: Findings from the ECHO cohorts." PloS one.. 2021 16(1):e0245064. Epub 2021 Jan 08.

11/19/2020
Spencer D, Pasterski V, Neufeld SAS, Glover V, O'Connor TG, Hindmarsh PC, Hughes IA, Acerini CL, Hines M. "Prenatal androgen exposure and children's gender-typed behavior and toy and playmate preferences." Hormones and behavior.. 2020 Nov 19; 127:104889. Epub 2020 Nov 19.

Books & Chapters

2013
Book Title: Stress and Immune Function in Humans: A Life-Course Perspective
Author List: Moynihan, J.A., Heffner, K.L., Caserta, M.T., and O'Connor, T.G.
Edited By: A. Kusnecov and H. Anisman
Published By: John Wiley and Sons 2013 in Oxford

2012
Chapter Title: Evidence-Based Treatments for Reactive Attachment Disorder and Severe Attachment Disturbances.
Book Title: Handbook of evidence-based practice in clinical psychology
Author List: O'Connor, T.G., Spagnola, M., & Byrne, J.G.
Edited By: P Sturmey & M Hersen
Published By: J Wiley & Sons 2012 in Hoboken

2011
Chapter Title: Prenatal anxiety and child development.
Book Title: Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development
Author List: O'Connor, T.G.
Edited By: Tremblay RE, Barr RG, Peters RDeV, Boivin M.
Published By: Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development 2011 in Montreal

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