Kenneth S. Kendler

Kenneth S. Kendler, M.D., is a Professor and Eminent Scholar at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). He holds a medical degree from Stanford School of Medicine (1977). His research focuses on the genetics of psychiatric and substance abuse disorders, employing twin studies and molecular genetics. He leads major international projects, including studies on major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, and bipolar disorder. Kendler chairs the APA steering committee for DSM-5 revisions and has contributed to psychiatric nosology. His work combines epidemiology, genetic analysis, and clinical research to uncover biological mechanisms underlying mental health.

Education

• Stanford School of Medicine, 1977, MD

Research Interests

Dr. Kendler’s work spans psychiatric genetics, genetic epidemiology, and twin studies. He investigates comorbidity in psychiatric disorders, developmental models of risk, and polygenic models using GWAS data. Key projects include the Virginia Adult Twin Study, the CONVERGE study of depression in China, and the A-BIG-NET initiative for bipolar disorder genetics across Asia. His molecular studies explore gene networks influencing alcohol response and genetic risk factors for depression and drug abuse.

Grants & Collaborations

• NIHM-funded analysis of the CONVERGE study (12,000 cases)
• VCU Alcohol Research Center studying gene-environment interactions
• Genome-wide association studies in South Korea and China targeting recurrent depression
• A-BIG-NET project (27,500 bipolar disorder cases across Asia)

Notable Contributions

As a leader in psychiatric nosology, Kendler shaped DSM-III-R, DSM-IV, and DSM-5. His interdisciplinary approach bridges psychiatry with philosophy and epidemiology, including work on the Lifelines cohort in the Netherlands. Current efforts aim to translate genetic discoveries into clinical treatments for major depressive disorder and substance use disorders.