2014 Research Prize

Received the 2014 Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize: Michael J. Meaney.

For his research on the mechanisms for how parental care becomes embedded in children’s biology Meaney was awarded the Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize 2014.

Meaney studies how experiences shape biology at the molecular level. His research focuses on the following questions: How do genes and environment interact to produce individual differences in brain function? Why are some better able than others to deal with illness, psychological problems or adverse life circumstances? Is it possible to determine an individual’s susceptibility to certain environmental influences by looking at that person’s biology, and can interventions reduce or even eliminate that susceptibility?

Life experiences alter genes

In the 1990s, using studies of mother rats and their pups, Meaney was able to identify biological mechanisms by which a mother’s care for her young – that is, her behaviour, rather than her genes – can result in a long-term change in the offspring’s development.
In 2009, Meaney and his colleagues applied these insights to human studies. They looked at samples of brain tissue from suicide victims who had been abused as children, suicide victims who had not been abused, and individuals who had not been abused and had died of natural causes.

For the first time, it was possible to show for humans that childhood experiences leave biochemical markers in an individual’s DNA. Experiences in the family context, particularly during the first years of life, become part of a child’s biology and influence the child’s health and attainments throughout life – in positive as well as negative ways.

“One size doesn’t fit all” – The future of intervention lies in customization

“Our biggest challenge now is to understand the biology of vulnerability, the risk an individual carries,” explains Meaney. “Second, can we then chart the reversibility through intervention programs? And can we evaluate the biological impact of the intervention at the level of the individual?”

Meaney’s research has the potential to produce significant changes in social policy. Now that we know that childhood experiences change how genes are expressed, we may be able to identify the children who are most at risk and put in place appropriate interventions. This will make it possible to develop therapies tailored to the needs of each child – therapies that are likely to produce the greatest benefits and to be most cost-effective over the long term.

A jury of experts selected Meaney for this honour because of his “pioneering, cutting edge research on the biological mechanisms by which parental behaviour affects offspring development. Beyond the purely scientific value of his research, Meaney’s work has tangible implications for psychosocial interventions and social policy measures to promote child and youth development.”

 

Videos

Media Kit

Curriculum Vitae Meaney

Media Release 2014

Previous Research Prize Recipients

2021 Research Prize

Charles A. Nelson, is selected as one of two recipients of the 2021 Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize, together with Daniel L. Schwartz, for his work using longitudinal studies to demonstrate that early adversity in the first three years of life impacts later developmental outcomes.

2021 Research Prize

Daniel L. Schwartz is selected as one of two recipients of the 2021 Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize, together with Charles A. Nelson, for his research into the mechanics of learning and problem-solving, and their application in enhancing the educational success of students of all ages.

2019 Research Prize

Prof. Daphne Bavelier receives the 2019 Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize endowed with one million Swiss Francs for her research on leveraging action video games to promote brain plasticity and learning.

2017 Research Prize

Prof. Paul Bloom received the 2017 Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize for his research into the origins, nature and development of children’s moral thought and behavior.

2016 Research Prize

The Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize 2016 went to economist Orazio P. Attanasio for his use of economic models and field experiments to assess and shape early child development programs and policies in low income countries.

2015 Research Prize

The Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize 2015 went to Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore of University College London (UCL), UK, for her research on understanding emotional and social brain development during adolescence.

2013 Research Prize

The Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize 2013 went to the American economist Greg J. Duncan for his research on the long-term consequences of poverty in early childhood.

2012 Research Prize

The Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize 2012 went to the leading international developmental and clinical psychologist Professor Dante Cicchetti for his research on the resilience of children and the developmental results of difficult life conditions.

2011 Research Prize

The Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize 2011 went to developmental psychologist Professor Michael Tomasello for his evidence-based research showing that already one-year old children can cooperate and help other children.

2010 Research Prize

The Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize 2010 went to Terrie Moffitt and Avshalom Caspi for their research on the interplay between genetic disposition and environmental influences.

2009 Research Prize

The Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize 2009 went to Laurence Steinberg for his immens contribution to improving the life circumstances of young people and their families.

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