Christopher A. Lowry

Christopher A. Lowry is an Associate Professor and Associate Chair of Faculty Affairs in the Department of Integrative Physiology within the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder. His research focuses on the intersection of neuroscience, immunology, and mental health, with particular emphasis on the gut-brain axis and psychoneuroimmunology. He maintains an active research laboratory that investigates the neural mechanisms underlying emotional behavior and stress responses.

Dr. Lowry completed his B.A. Hons. at the University of Wyoming (1983-1987) followed by a Ph.D. at Oregon State University (1987-1995). His postdoctoral training took place at the University Research Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Bristol, UK, where he held multiple prestigious fellowships including the Neuroendocrinology Charitable Trust Fellowship (2002-2003) and the Wellcome Trust Intermediate Level Research Fellowship (2003-2007).

His research program investigates how the immune system communicates with the brain to influence emotional behavior and stress responses, with particular focus on how microorganisms in the gut influence brain function and mental health. His work bridges disciplines including neuroscience, immunology, microbiology, and psychiatry, and has significant implications for understanding anxiety disorders, depression, and stress-related conditions. Dr. Lowry's laboratory has pioneered research on how environmental microorganisms may promote stress resilience through immunoregulatory mechanisms.

Analysis of Dr. Lowry's recent publications reveals a strong focus on the gut-brain axis, particularly how the microbiome influences mental health conditions. His work spans from basic research on neural mechanisms to clinical applications, with increasing emphasis on the role of oral and gut microbiota in neuropsychiatric disorders. His research demonstrates an interdisciplinary approach that integrates neuroscience, immunology, and microbiology to understand the biological basis of emotional behavior.

• National Institute of Mental Health National Research Service Award (NRSA) Predoctoral Fellowship
• Neuroendocrinology Charitable Trust Research Fellow
• Wellcome Trust Research Fellow
• Young Investigator Award, NARSAD (twice)
• National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award
• Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) Donald F. Klein Early Career Investigator Award
• University of Colorado Boulder Provost's Faculty Achievement Award

Dr. Lowry has secured substantial research funding including an NSF CAREER Award (2009-2014) and multiple project grants focused on the gut-brain axis and stress physiology. His laboratory, the Psychoneuroimmunology Laboratory, maintains active collaborations with researchers across disciplines including microbiology, psychiatry, and dentistry. Current research directions include investigating how environmental microorganisms may promote stress resilience, examining the role of periodontal pathogens in neuropsychiatric conditions, and exploring the therapeutic potential of psychobiotics for mental health disorders.