Dr. Wilkin has been a member of the MPL department since 2018. She holds a Doctoral degree and a Master’s of Science degree in Behavioural Neuroscience from Queen’s University. Her doctoral work looked at how exposure to stress during development changes cellular networks in regions of the brain that regulate risk-taking behaviour and lead to various psychopathological outcomes. Her research demonstrates that stress in early life has long lasting impacts on the brain and behaviour, but that these impacts can be mitigated and reversed by social bonds. Dr. Wilkin’s more recent research includes whether or not social bonding is species dependent or if the stress-reducing and stress-relieving benefits cross evolutionary lines. Specifically, she is interested in whether or not companion canine interactions can reduce some of the negative consequences of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other operational stress injuries. Early indications suggest yes!
Education
- Doctorate of Philosophy (Behavioural Neuroscience; Queen’s University)
- Masters of Science (Behavioural Neuroscience, Queen’s University)
- Bachelor of Arts – Honours (Endocrinology, Brock University)
Publications
- Cherif, L., Wilkin, M. M., & Townson, C. (2026). Antifragility at the Royal Military Colleges: The Resilience Plus Program. Canadian Military Journal, 26, 20-28.
- Wilkin, M. M., Paré-Beauchemin, R., & Chérif, L. (2023). Finding character strengths in how military leaders talk about resilience. The Canadian Military Journal: Resilience Series, 23(4), 1-7. http://www.journal.forces.gc.ca/cmj-article-en-234page51.html
- Lamontagne, S. J., Wilkin, M. M., Menard, J. L., & Olmstead, M. M. (2021). Mid-adolescent stress differentially affects binge-like intake of sucrose across estrous cycles in female rats. Physiology & Behavior, 228, 113194.
- Wilkin, M. M, Menard, J. L. (2020). Social housing ameliorates the enduring effects of intermittent physical stress during mid-adolescence. Physiology & Behaviour, 214, 112750.
- Wilkin, M. M., Waters, P, McCormick, & Menard, J. L. (2012). Intermittent physical stress during early- and mid-adolescence differentially alters rats’ anxiety- and depression-like behaviours in adulthood. Behavioural Neuroscience, 126(2), 344-360.