Jessica Dennis

Dr. Jessica Dennis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Genetics at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and an Investigator at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. Her research integrates computational methods with large-scale genomic and population health datasets to study gene-environment interactions across the lifespan, focusing on brain-related traits and precision health.

• Education:
  • PhD in Genetic Epidemiology, University of Toronto
  • MSc in Epidemiology, University of Ottawa
  • BSc in Biology (minor in Genetics), University of Guelph

The Dennis Lab emphasizes longitudinal data analysis and life-course genetic epidemiology, particularly in psychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions. Projects include modeling genetic susceptibility to depression in dementia, using biobank data to explore schizophrenia and loneliness genetic factors, and studying how early-life adversity affects epigenetic aging through developmental DNA methylation changes.

Her work leverages biobank and longitudinal datasets, including the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), UK Biobank, and HostSeq Databank. Key methodologies involve statistical genetics, machine learning, and epigenomic analysis of gene-environment interactions.

• Scientific Awards:
  • CIHR-STAGE Fellowship

Dr. Dennis supervises graduate students in Medical Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Health Sciences, with collaborations spanning institutions like Simon Fraser University and Université de Montréal. Her lab prioritizes interdisciplinary research, undergraduate mentorship, and partnerships with knowledge mobilization experts and patient communities.