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Espen Moen EilertsenView profile

Researcher

• Genetics
• Developmental Psychology
• Psychiatric Epidemiology
• +3 more

Espen Moen Eilertsen is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of Psychology, University of Oslo. His research focuses on understanding the genetic and environmental influences on developmental and psychiatric outcomes, leveraging large-scale genomic and family data. Key areas of interest include genome-wide association studies (GWAS), behavioral genetics, and the interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental factors in shaping child and adolescent development. His work integrates advanced statistical methods, including structural equation modeling and polygenic score analyses, to disentangle direct and indirect genetic effects within families. Notable contributions include studies on the genetic architecture of motor development milestones, socioeconomic status, and intergenerational transmission of mental health traits. Recent publications highlight his expertise in investigating assortative mating patterns, gene-environment interactions, and the role of extended family structures in moderating genetic risks. Eilertsen’s research has implications for understanding complex traits and informing preventive strategies in public health.

• Genome-Wide Association Study
• Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism
• Genetics
• +7 more

Alireza Ani is a researcher actively contributing to the fields of genetics, genomics, and biostatistics through high-impact publications in peer-reviewed journals. His work focuses on genome-wide association studies (GWAS), polygenic risk scores, and exploring the genetic architecture of complex traits related to metabolic pathways and environmental exposures. Key affiliations include the Lifelines Cohort Study and Estonian Biobank Research Team. Collaborations span global research initiatives like the Million Veteran Program. Research Interests: His expertise lies in reconciling genetic linkage and association studies, analyzing urinary excretion of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and improving polygenic prediction models across diverse ancestries. He utilizes functional genomics, cohort study designs, and computational methods to advance understanding of complex traits related to blood pressure and metabolic health. Publication Trends: Recent work emphasizes GWAS methodologies, functional genomic annotation applications, and ancestry-specific polygenic risk score optimization. Collaborative efforts target large-scale datasets (e.g., >1 million individuals) to enhance predictive accuracy for diseases like hypertension.

• Cardiovascular Disease
• Lipid Metabolism
• Atherosclerosis
• +3 more

Chris Packard is an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow's School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health. His research focuses on lipid metabolism, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular risk management, with particular expertise in lipoprotein biology and dyslipidaemias. He has contributed to landmark studies like PROSPER and WOSCOPS evaluating statin therapies and cardiovascular outcomes. His work addresses residual cardiovascular risk beyond traditional lipid markers, emphasizing novel targets like lipoprotein(a) and PCSK9 inhibition. Key contributions include advancing understanding of postprandial lipemia, triglyceride metabolism in diabetes, and genetic influences on atherosclerosis progression. He collaborates internationally on consensus statements and guidelines for lipid management strategies. Publications highlight his role in developing predictive cardiovascular risk models and evaluating therapies targeting lipoprotein remnants and LDL cholesterol. His research bridges basic lipid biology with clinical applications, influencing both academic and clinical practice in cardiovascular prevention.

• Cancer Epidemiology
• Genetic Epidemiology
• Gene-Environment Interactions
• +3 more

Dr. Juan Pablo Lewinger is Associate Professor of Clinical Population and Public Health Sciences at the University of Southern California. His research program focuses on genetic epidemiology, statistical genetics, and gene-environment interactions in cancer development and prevention. His primary research investigates: Gene-environment interactions in colorectal cancer Polygenic risk score development Statistical methods for omics data Liquid biopsy biomarkers for cancer detection Nutritional and pharmacological cancer prevention Recent methodological contributions include hierarchical Cox models for genomic data, two-step testing for gene-environment interactions, and pathway polygenic risk scores. His applied research examines how genetic factors modify associations between lifestyle factors (diet, smoking, medications) and cancer risk. Dr. Lewinger develops novel statistical approaches for analyzing high-dimensional genomic data in epidemiological studies, with applications in colorectal, ovarian, and other cancers.

• Bioinformatics
• Genomics
• Systems Biology
• +3 more

Huaiyu Mi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC). His research focuses on bioinformatics, genomics, and systems biology, with a strong emphasis on developing computational tools and databases for functional genomics. He is a key contributor to major resources such as InterPro, PANTHER, and the Gene Ontology (GO), which provide critical annotations for protein families, gene functions, and biological pathways. His work integrates phylogenetic analysis, machine learning, and statistical methods to advance understanding of gene function and genomic data interpretation. Mi has also contributed to systems biology initiatives, including the development of standardized graphical notations for biological processes. His research interests span protein domain classification, polygenic risk scoring, and the analysis of gene-environment interactions. He has authored numerous publications on topics such as enhancer-gene regulatory relationships, automated gene function annotation, and the convergence of pathway databases. Mi's contributions to bioinformatics tools like AnnoQ and PEREGRINE highlight his commitment to making genomic analysis accessible to researchers worldwide. His work has implications for precision medicine, genetic epidemiology, and the broader study of biological systems. Mi holds a PhD and has been affiliated with USC since joining the faculty. His academic activities include advising on interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of computational biology and health sciences.

Samantha LeeView profile

Academic

• Ophthalmic Genetics
• Epidemiology
• Glaucoma
• +3 more

Dr Samantha Lee is a Senior Research Fellow at the Lions Eye Institute and an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at The University of Western Australia (UWA Medical School). Her roles include leading research in ocular epidemiology and genetics, with a focus on glaucoma and myopia. She holds editorial roles at BMC Ophthalmology and Scientific Reports, and serves on committees for Australia Vision Research and the Association for Research in Vision & Ophthalmology. Dr Lee earned a BSc (Hons) in Optometry from the University of Manchester (2011) and a PhD in Optometry and Vision Science from Queensland University of Technology (2017). Her research bridges clinical and genetic studies, addressing public health challenges in eye diseases. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being. Key research areas include genetic risk profiling for glaucoma, myopia progression mechanisms, and choroidal dynamics. Recent publications explore longitudinal retinal changes, polygenic risk scores, and the impact of lifestyle factors on eye health. Dr Lee has secured over AU$4 million in research funding and received awards including the 2024 Highly Commended Early Career Researcher and the 2020 UWA Research Collaboration Award. She leads major grants investigating glaucoma risk in aging populations and choroidal contributions to myopia. Her research teams collaborate internationally, with studies published in high-impact journals like JAMA Ophthalmology and Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. Media coverage highlights her findings on myopia’s association with computer screen use versus mobile devices.

Michael Frederick PressView profile

Professor

• Molecular Genetics
• Breast Cancer
• Gynecologic Cancers
• +3 more

Michael Frederick Press is a Professor of Pathology at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) . He serves as the Director of the Breast Cancer Analysis Lab and co-leader of the Women’s Cancers Program at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center . Dr. Press holds the Harold E. Lee Chair in Breast Cancer Research and coordinates the Breast Cancer International Research Group Central Laboratory . Education: MD/PhD from the University of Chicago, followed by residency and faculty positions there before joining USC in 1988. His research focuses on molecular genetic alterations in breast and gynecologic cancers , including HER2 status, CCND1 amplification, TOP2A mutations, and polygenic risk scores in African ancestry populations. Recent work includes multi-ancestry GWAS , circulating tumor cell transcriptomics , and HER2-low breast cancer consensus guidelines . Key scientific contributions include optimizing HER2 testing protocols and identifying ancestry-specific breast cancer susceptibility loci . Dr. Press has received the Harold E. Lee Chair in Breast Cancer Research since 1998. His publications span genomic risk prediction , HER2-targeted therapy , and biomarker discovery in clinical trials. He leads the USC Breast Cancer Analysis Lab , which supports international clinical research collaborations , including the TRIO-013/LOGiC trial and ALTERNATIVE study .

• Biostatistics
• Epidemiology
• Radiation Epidemiology
• +4 more

**Daniel Oscar Stram, PhD**, is a **Professor of Population and Public Health Sciences** at the **University of Southern California (USC)**, affiliated with the **Department of Preventive Medicine**. His research focuses on biostatistical methods in epidemiology, with emphasis on radiation epidemiology, nutritional epidemiology, and genetic risk assessment in cancer studies. He leads the statistical analysis of major prospective cohorts including the **Atomic Bomb Survivors Study**, **Multiethnic Cohort Study**, and **Children’s Health Study**. **Research Interests**: His work addresses measurement error in dosimetry, dietary assessment, and haplotype-based genetic risk estimation. Key areas include radiation-induced cancer risks, environmental pollutants’ effects (e.g., air pollution, cadmium exposure), and genomic variation in candidate genes for cancer susceptibility. **Publications**: Over 300 peer-reviewed articles, with recent focus on radiation dose effects on solid cancer mortality, air pollution’s role in COPD and breast cancer, and genetic associations with cadmium metabolism. His work bridges statistical methodology with public health impact, emphasizing translational research. **Collaborations**: Active in multi-institutional projects like the **NCI’s Multiethnic Cohort Study**, **CTSI (Clinical and Translational Science Institute)**, and international radiation epidemiology initiatives. Develops innovative statistical tools for exposure assessment and risk modeling.

• Neurology
• Parkinson's Disease
• Neurogenetics
• +2 more

Dr. Eric Yu is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Southern California, specializing in neurology and movement disorders. His research program focuses on the genetic and immunological basis of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson's disease and related disorders. His primary research domains include neurogenetics of Parkinsonism, immunogenetic mechanisms in neurodegeneration, machine learning applications in neurology, and the neurobiological basis of sleep disorders. Dr. Yu's work integrates genomic analyses with clinical neurology to identify novel disease mechanisms and biomarkers. Dr. Yu's publication record demonstrates a strong focus on genetic risk factors for Parkinson's disease, including extensive work on HLA associations, lysosomal gene variants, and polygenic risk modeling. Recent research has expanded to include autoimmune neurological conditions and computational approaches to identify novel therapeutic targets.

Dirk PeltView profile

Assistant Professor

• Happiness
• Wellbeing
• Gene-Environment Interaction
• +7 more

Dirk Pelt is an Assistant Professor at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, affiliated with the Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences and the departments of Biological Psychology, Methodology (APH), and Personalized Medicine (APH). His primary research focuses on wellbeing, happiness, and mental health, employing advanced methodologies like machine learning and genetic analysis. He leads the AI & Machine Learning Grant (2022-2023) and contributes to the WELL BEING research project (2018-2024). Key research interests include gene-environment interactions, psychometric modeling, and the exposome's role in wellbeing. He has supervised three PhD theses and actively presents at academic conferences, discussing topics like machine learning prediction models for wellbeing and faking detection in personality assessments. His work spans over 32 publications, with recent studies examining metabolite concentrations, social media's psychological impacts, and pandemic-related mental health dynamics. Dr. Pelt's contributions address UN Sustainable Development Goals related to good health and well-being. He teaches 'Measurement theory and assessment II' (2024-2025) and collaborates internationally on projects analyzing wellbeing spectra using network approaches and genetic-environmental disentanglement.

Aysu OkbayView profile

Assistant Professor

• Genomics
• Economics
• Behavioral Genetics
• +3 more

Dr. Aysu Okbay is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Economics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. She holds additional roles as Visiting Fellow at the School of Business and Economics, Tinbergen Institute, and Amsterdam Neuroscience's Complex Trait Genetics group. Her work focuses on genoeconomics, investigating genetic influences on economic preferences and outcomes through large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Education: PhD in Genoeconomics (Erasmus Universiteit, 2017) Master's in Economics (Sabanci University, 2012) Bachelor's in Economics (Sabanci University, 2010) Her research explores genetic correlates of educational attainment, mental capacity, well-being, and health behaviors. Notable contributions include identifying 74 loci linked to educational achievement and developing polygenic scores for predicting socioeconomic outcomes. She has received the VENI Grant (2018) and contributed to datasets like the Genomic Study of Diet Composition. Awards: VENI Grant (2018) Teaching: Quantitative Research Methods II Data Structures and Algorithms Activities: Peer review for Journal of Economic Psychology and Psychological Medicine Presentations on polygenic scores and GWAS methodologies Her interdisciplinary work bridges genetics, economics, and public health, with applications to policy and aging research.

• Intestine Innervation
• Zebra Fish
• Nervous System Development
• +5 more

Dr. Maria Alves is an Assistant Professor at Erasmus MC's Department of Clinical Genetics. Her research focuses on intestinal innervation, nervous system development, and genetic mechanisms underlying diseases like Hirschsprung disease. She employs zebrafish models and genomic approaches to explore these topics. Alves has contributed to understanding the role of genes like ATP5PO in neurodevelopmental disorders and collaborated on multi-ancestry genome-wide association studies. Her work integrates molecular biology, cell sorting protocols, and genetic risk prediction. Notable achievements include uncovering links between Down syndrome and enteric nervous system defects, as well as developing optimized protocols for analyzing enteric nervous system cells. Alves has published in journals such as Gastroenterology and EBioMedicine , with a focus on translational discoveries in gastrointestinal diseases. Her research also addresses glial diversity in gut health/disease and therapeutic avenues for neurodevelopmental disorders. Alves' interdisciplinary approach spans genetics, cell biology, and developmental neuroscience, with implications for both basic science and clinical applications.

Fan HeView profile

Research Fellow

• Health Services Research
• Data Science
• Clinical Research
• +3 more

Fan He serves as a Research Fellow in Data Science at the Cancer Health Services Research (CHSR) unit within the Centre for Health Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne. Since joining in July 2023, he conducts risk prediction and modeling of immune-related adverse events using the Cancer2015 and PRIMCAT cohort datasets. His work, supported by the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre under Bishma Jayathilaka's leadership, aims to optimize checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy decisions in cancer care. His research spans Health Services Research, Data Science, Clinical Research, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, with specialized expertise in clinical study design, project management, and advanced data techniques. He excels in data linkage, cleaning, analysis, and visualization of electronic medical records, having contributed to projects on stroke outcomes in regional Australia, polygenic risk scores in child development, and gestational diabetes management. His methodological proficiency includes R programming and Stata for statistical modeling. Fan He actively collaborates across Australian research institutions and has presented at domestic and international conferences. He is currently finalizing his part-time PhD at La Trobe Rural Health School while contributing to the CHSR unit's mission of improving cancer care through evidence-based health services research. As a core member of the Cancer Health Services Research team, he leverages large-scale linked datasets to address critical gaps in oncology treatment decision-making. His technical workflow integrates real-world medical records analysis with predictive modeling to generate actionable clinical insights.

• Pharmacogenetics
• Molecular Toxicology
• Drug Metabolism
• +4 more

Magnus Ingelman-Sundberg is a Senior Professor and research group leader in Molecular Toxicology at the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet. He leads the Section of Pharmacogenetics (MIS-lab), focusing on genetic factors influencing drug response variability and adverse effects. His research employs novel 3D hepatic in vitro models to study liver function, drug-induced enzyme induction, hepatotoxicity, and liver diseases such as steatosis and fibrosis. Notable achievements include discoveries about CYP450 enzymes' roles in drug metabolism and neurological effects of CYP2C19 overexpression in fetal brains. Education includes a PhD and Docent in Physiological Chemistry from Karolinska Institutet. Awards include the ERC Advanced Grant, R.T. Williams Award, and Honorary Doctorate from Syddansk Universitet. He has supervised 35 PhD students and 33 postdoctoral researchers. Current grants include Hjärnfonden (2023–2026), ERC PoC (2023–2025), and Novartis (2024–2026). His lab's work on SPHERO-NASH aims to develop therapies for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis using 3D liver models.

Anna KrookView profile

Professor

• Cell and Molecular Biology
• Endocrinology and Diabetes
• Physiology and Anatomy
• +4 more

Anna Krook is a Professor of Integrative Physiology at the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, and chairs the Strategic Research Programme in Diabetes. Her research focuses on skeletal muscle metabolism, insulin action, and metabolic disease mechanisms. She holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge (UK) and has authored numerous publications in top journals. Education: BSc (University of East Anglia), MSc (Queen's University), PhD (University of Cambridge). Research interests include non-coding RNA regulation, transcriptional control of metabolism, and the effects of exercise and diabetes on muscle physiology. Key awards include the DPLU/LUDC Nordic Prize (2013). Current grants include studies on genomic plasticity in insulin resistance and miRNA regulation of muscle metabolism. Her lab collaborates internationally on metabolic health and diabetes research.