معرفی
Kariina Laas is a Lecturer in Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Tartu, Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology. She has maintained a continuous academic career at the University of Tartu since 2010, with her current position starting January 1, 2023 as a full-time Lecturer in Clinical and Health Psychology. In addition to her academic work, she serves as a Clinical Psychologist at SeekCare OÜ (part-time).
Dr. Laas earned her Doctor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Tartu in 2014 with her dissertation "Neuropeptide S and mental health: A functional receptor gene variant and environment shaping traits and contributing to psychiatric disorders" under the supervision of Jaanus Harro. She previously completed her Master's Degree in Psychology from the University of Tartu in 2010 with the thesis "Functional NOS1 and MAOA polymorphisms, platelet MAO activity and impulsivity."
Her research focuses on the intersection of clinical psychology, health psychology, and neuropsychopharmacology, with particular emphasis on understanding how genetic factors interact with environmental influences to shape mental health outcomes, aggression, and behavioral disorders. Her work often involves population-based studies examining gene-environment interactions related to psychiatric conditions. Analysis of her publication record shows consistent exploration of how specific gene variants (NPSR1, HCRTR1, GABA receptors, serotonin system components) interact with environmental stressors to influence psychological outcomes, with a particular focus on aggression, anxiety, and substance use disorders.
- The University of Tartu Badge of Distinction (2021)
- Estonian Doctoral School of Behavioural Social and Health Sciences Publication Award (2014)
- European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Seminar Award (2011)
- Student's research prize of Estonian Academy of Science (2010)
Dr. Laas has been actively involved in research administration and professional organizations. She served as President (2018-2021) and currently serves as Vice President (2021-present) of the Estonian Union of Psychologists. She is also a member of the Board of the Department of Psychology at the University of Tartu and serves on the Faculty of Social Sciences council. Her leadership extends to multiple significant research projects, including the current study on digital environment changes during COVID-19 and their impact on child development, as well as the development of radicalization risk assessment tools for Estonia.
She leads and participates in multiple research laboratories and teams focused on psychological assessment, behavioral genetics, and clinical interventions. Her current work examines digital health solutions for migraine treatment and the development of assessment tools for political behavior and radicalization risks, while her future research direction appears to be moving toward integrating genetic, environmental, and digital health approaches to understand complex behavioral outcomes.
