Charlis Raineki

Charlis Raineki is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Brock University, within the Faculty of Social Sciences. They hold a PhD from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Their research focuses on understanding how adverse early-life experiences, particularly prenatal alcohol exposure and early-life adversity, impact neurodevelopmental trajectories and increase vulnerability to mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. Key research areas include neuroimmune mechanisms, stress regulation, and translational interventions to ameliorate adversity-related deficits.

Education: PhD in Neuroscience from Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Research Interests

• Neurobiological mechanisms of early-life adversity
• Impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on neurodevelopment
• Neuroimmune interactions in psychopathology
• Developmental effects of stress and caregiving environments
• Translational strategies for intervention and prevention

Publications span topics such as immune dysregulation linked to neurodevelopmental delays, neurobehavioral effects of maltreatment, and the role of corticosterone in stress-related behaviors. Recent work explores the compounding effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and early-life adversity, with a focus on translational models.

Lab Culture

The Raineki Lab emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion, recruiting undergraduate and graduate students for projects in behavioral and cognitive neuroscience. They prioritize fostering an environment where diverse perspectives drive scientific innovation.