Mirabel Bok, FCLC 2026

Major: Integrative Neuroscience

Bio: Mirabel Bok is a senior majoring in Integrative Neuroscience with a minor in Philosophy. She conducted her research at the University of Sydney's Hofer Lab where she examined the significance of the mother-fetus relationship on development, bridging the gap between biological and humanistic inquiry. This research has inspired her to work with children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology.

Title of Research: Microglia and Astrocytes during Maternal Immune Activation

Mentor: Dr. Alma Rodenas-Ruano, Integrative Neuroscience

Abstract: The maternal-fetal relationship is characterized by complex biological, immunological, and psychological interactions that critically influence offspring neurodevelopment. Given the plasticity of the developing brain and immune system, stressors encountered from pre-conception through early postnatal life may have lasting impacts. The leading model for understanding the mechanisms behind prenatal stressors on neurodevelopment is the ‘maternal immune activation’ (MIA) hypothesis, which proposes that activation of the maternal immune system may result in changes in neurodevelopment of the offspring. This study investigated the cumulative and individual effects of social instability stress (SIS), maternal high-fat diet (mHFD) and postnatal Polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) exposure on GFAP-positive astrocyte and Iba1-positive microglial reactivity in the dentate gyrus (DG) of both mothers and male offspring. Using cell density and morphology as proxies for immunoreactivity, we implemented and optimized an automated workflow for brain section registration and glial quantification using ABBA and QuPath software. Findings reveal distinct stressor- and age-dependent effects: offspring exhibited increased glial density and diverse reactive morphologies, while mothers showed reduced or unchanged glial responses. Poly I:C exposure, in particular, elicited greater immunoreactivity than SIS. Observed variability in glial phenotypes suggests the presence of resilience and sensitivity traits, potentially influenced by genetics and early-life environment. While limited by sample size and sex-specific analyses, these preliminary results highlight the importance of developmental timing, stressor type, and individual differences in shaping neuroimmune outcomes. Future work will further refine quantification methods and explore links between glial reactivity, neurogenesis, and cognitive function.