Dr. Rubin’s primary program of research is aimed at understanding the effects of how different hormonal factors (estrogen, oxytocin, stress hormones) and different hormonal milieus (pregnancy, menopause) impact the cognitive and mental health of women including those with psychiatric illnesses and HIV. Dr. Rubin is a former UIC BIRCWH scholar, and she recently received NIMH funding for a K01 mentored research scientist training program to further develop her research on women’s cognitive and mental health with a specific focus on the effects of stress and stress hormones on cognition in HIV+ women.