Margus Kanarik

Margus Kanarik is a Research Fellow in Neuropsychopharmacology at the University of Tartu's Institute of Chemistry, with a joint appointment in Psychology. He holds a PhD in behavioral neuroscience from Tartu (2011) and specializes in neurobiological mechanisms of stress vulnerability.

Research Focus: Kanarik's lab investigates neural correlates of depression resilience using oxidative metabolism mapping, epigenetic regulation of aggression (MAOA methylation), and sex differences in stress responses. Current projects examine GDNF overexpression effects on exploratory phenotypes and RNA methylation in anxiety models.

Grants & Collaboration: Leads the €1.32M project Neurobiology of Adaptive Strategies (PRG1213, 2021-2025) and contributes to pan-European gene-environment interaction studies. Collaborates with the University of Haifa on temperament-pathogenesis relationships.

Teaching & Supervision: Mentors doctoral candidate Pilleriin Kupper on neuroenergetics in psychiatric disorders and two master's students. Teaches neuropharmacology through journal clubs and lab rotations. Published 22+ papers in journals including Journal of Neural Transmission and Behavioural Brain Research.