Broadly described, I am keenly interested in applying the concepts in psychoneuroendocrinology to our understanding of human sexual development and behavior. Specifically, my research lab focuses on the development of paraphilic sexual interests and how to use this knowledge in combined mental health and prevention services.
My lab has several ongoing projects (please see Current Projects for more information). Together with collaborators, we are implementing a clinical mental health support group for interested non-offending minor attracted individuals in New York State. We are also investigating putative etiological mechanisms for the development of minor attraction. To this end, I regularly recruit and accept dedicated and driven undergraduate and graduate students to support this work. If interested working with me or my lab, please use the contact form to get in touch.
Prior to SUNY Oswego, I worked with the German national research consortium, NeMUP (NEurobiological Mechanisms Underlying Pedophilia and Child Sexual Offending: http://www.nemup.de/index_eng.html) as a Research Associate. My area of doctoral research was the neurobiology and neuropsychology of pedophilia, using SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) and CANTAB (Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery) to understand the link between executive function impairments and serotonin and dopamine neurotransmission irregularities in pedophilia, both with and without offense histories. This project established my research interest in this field.
Prof. Dr. Gilian Tenbergen 