Richard Galambos shares his connection to anxiety and depression studies – and bees

About Richard

Richard Galambos, C.E.T., is an electronics technologist with Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Schulich School of Engineering. In this role, he takes care of undergrad labs, assists professors with designing and building lab equipment, and helps out with research groups in Schulich when required. Not only is Richard interested in the great research at UCalgary, he also helps out from time to time. In 2016, Richard participated in a depression study led by Dr. Rajamannar Ramasubbu, MD, at The Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education

Richard Galambos is a relatively new parent to three children. He wants what is best for them. Yet, with instant access to so much information, Galambos admits it can be difficult to cut through the clutter and understand what advice to consider. “Everyone has their good advice,” he says. “And, they are not shy about how correct their advice is.” 

Galambos frequently turns to the reliable research-based information at UCalgary because, as he says, “critically examining which sources of information are sound is really important, especially for things like your children’s mental health.”

Anxiety and depression studies 

From his own experiences as a child in school, he can empathize with the challenges, stresses, and anxieties of life in the social world for his children. Growing up as a highly sensitive boy, he was often crushed by social, performance and stereotypical pressures.

I want to learn as much as I can to help my children grow up healthy.

Research suggests that anxiety and depression issues can be genetic, or epigenetic. “That means there is a higher chance that my experiences will be mirrored in my children's experiences. I want to learn as much as I can to help my children grow up healthy.” UCalgary’s recent article on overcoming anxiety in school kids offered welcome insight for Richard.

UCalgary’s commitment to mental health awareness is instrumental in reducing stigma in our community. The information provided by UCalgary researchers and information sources such as Explore UCalgary helped Galambos recognize his condition and provided a means for him to understand it fully. “It’s this access to valid, research-based information that I can use to mitigate the causes of my anxiety and find the help I need.”

All about bees

Another topic that interests Galambos is that of environmental stewardship and climate change. Richard says, “One little known part of climate change is its effects on the bees.”  Bees have a huge role in our climate and our food chain, and in general bees are intricately connected to human existence.

Most people do not understand how connected humans are to bees.

Richard has a deep interest in bees through a couple of beekeeper friends, as well as a community-sponsored bee farm. “My bias would tell me that the importance of bee health is well known; it’s something that communities understand,” he says. “However, I feel the real story is that most people do not understand how connected humans are to bees.” 

Richard says that this interest has been fed and kept alive through studies undertaken by researchers at UCalgary. “Reading about the impact of climate change on bees and the digital bee collection has been informative and enjoyable,” he says. “And knowing that all this information is based on thorough research means I am expanding my knowledge in this area of interest without ‘fake news’!”