Dr. Lisa Stubbs: Demystifying Nature vs. Nurture

“Genetics give you susceptibilities–that you are prone to this kind of problem. But you don't develop that kind of problem unless you're exposed to the right environment.” - Dr. Lisa Stubbs

In this episode of PNRI Science: Mystery and Discovery, PNRI CEO Jack Faris interviews PNRI Senior Investigator Dr. Lisa Stubbs about the intersection of nature versus nature and how chronic stress and genetics influence pregnancy outcomes. 

Lisa Stubbs, PhD, is a Senior Investigator and Interim Co-Chief Scientific Officer at Pacific Northwest Research Institute. She earned her PhD from the University of California, San Diego, and completed postdoctoral fellowships at the California Institute of Technology and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg, Germany. Currently, Dr. Stubbs is an Associate Editor of the scientific journal, PLoS Genetics, an affiliate member at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology at the University of Illinois, and a Graduate Faculty member in the same institution’s department of Cell and Developmental Biology.

What you'll hear in this episode:

• [0:00 ] Nature vs Nurture

• [1:17 ]  Meet Dr. Lisa Stubbs

• [2:49 ] The Genome Project’s effects on team collaboration

• [5:19 ] Controversy surrounding the Human Genome Project

• [11:34 ] The impacts of genetics and stress on pregnancy

• [16:35 ] Pregnancy stress and fetal brain development

• [24:30 ] Analyzing genetic data from pregnant women

• [29:04 ] Genes, pregnancy complications, underserved populations

• [33:19 ] Genetic markers for gestational diabetes in a specific population

• [38:24 ] Dr. Stubbs’ path to science (via marine biology)

From octopus inspirations, to the history of the Human Genome Project, to how genetics interact with chronic stress, Dr. Lisa Stubbs embraces complexity. Her lab delves into the question of whether stress influences genetics or genetics influence stress and how both of those impact pregnancy. As Jack says, “It's hard for me to imagine any scientific endeavor more important than understanding how mothers and babies can be healthy.”

The Stubbs Lab embodies PNRI’s spirit of intellectual freedom to drive medical breakthroughs. We provide the freedom for scientists to follow where the science leads, and that culture creates incredible discoveries.

To learn more about Dr. Stubbs, read her in-depth Q&A: or check out his lab webpage: pnri.org/stubbs-lab

Connect with PNRI, ask our scientists questions, or come on a lab tour! pnri.org/about/connect

This podcast is hosted by PNRI CEO Jack Faris and his daughter Anna Faris. 

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