Jay O’Shields

Jay O’Shields is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), part of the College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on improving mental and physical health outcomes for individuals with major depressive disorder, particularly examining how social environments influence biological systems. He employs advanced quantitative methods to study childhood maltreatment’s effects on adult inflammatory signaling and depressive symptoms.

Dr. O’Shields holds a BS in Psychology from Georgia Southern University, an MSW from the University of Georgia, and a PhD in Social Work from the University of Georgia. His teaching spans undergraduate and graduate levels, emphasizing direct practice and statistical analysis. He actively mentors students to foster their impact on societal well-being.

His publications appear in journals like Social Science & Medicine, Psychoneuroendocrinology, and Journal of Affective Disorders. While no specific grants or awards are listed, his work bridges social and biological determinants of health. Outside academia, he enjoys family time, cooking, and playing his blue 7-string Ibanez guitar.