Katherine Gordon-Smith

Dr. Katherine Gordon-Smith is a Senior Research Fellow in Psychological Medicine at the University of Worcester's School of Health and Wellbeing, Department of Psychology and Mental Health. She joined the University in 2015, following roles as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Cardiff University and a Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham. Her research focuses on genetic and environmental factors influencing bipolar disorder and related illnesses, including schizoaffective disorder and postpartum psychosis. She co-founded the UK Bipolar Disorder Research Network (BDRN), which has recruited over 7,500 participants, making it one of the world's largest bipolar disorder cohorts.

Dr. Gordon-Smith holds a PhD in Psychiatric Genetics from Cardiff University, a Diploma in Research Methods (Distinction), and a BSc in Psychology & Biology from Aston University. Her work emphasizes co-morbidities in bipolar disorder (e.g., migraine, anxiety) and the development of the True Colours mood-monitoring system, which tracks mood fluctuations and their relation to sleep and routines. She collaborates closely with BDRN research champions—individuals with lived experience of bipolar disorder—who inform study design and implementation.

Her research has explored postpartum psychosis, genetic diversity in population genomics, and the impact of childhood trauma on bipolar disorder outcomes. As Deputy Chair of the Health and Science Research Ethics Panel, she ensures ethical rigor in research practices. Her publications span genomic studies, clinical correlates of mood disorders, and the integration of patient perspectives in mental health research.

Key contributions include advancing understanding of bipolar disorder's genetic basis, improving clinical monitoring via True Colours, and advocating for diverse representation in genomic studies. Her work bridges basic science and clinical practice, aiming to personalize treatments and enhance patient outcomes.