معرفی
Professor Marta Di Forti is a distinguished academic and clinician at King's College London's Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), holding a Professorship in Drug use, Genetics and Psychosis. She leads the first UK Cannabis Clinic for patients with psychotic disorders and has been recognized with awards such as the Royal College of Psychiatrists Researcher of the Year. Her research focuses on cannabis's impact on psychosis, schizophrenia genetics, and epigenetic mechanisms. Di Forti's work spans clinical trials, genetic epidemiology, and translational neuroscience, with a particular emphasis on cannabis's role in mental health and its biological underpinnings. She is also an Honorary Consultant Adult Psychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Her contributions include landmark studies on high-potency cannabis effects, treatment resistance, and the interplay of genetic and environmental factors in psychosis.
Her educational background includes an MD and MRCPsych, with a PhD emphasizing clinical and genetic research. Di Forti's lab employs cutting-edge methods, including epigenetic analysis and large-scale genomic studies, to dissect complex psychiatric conditions. Collaborations with global consortia (e.g., EU-GEI, INTREPID) underscore her commitment to multinational research. She has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles, focusing on cannabis-psychosis links, polygenic risk scores, and first-episode psychosis outcomes. Key projects include the MRC-funded Cannabis & Me Study and the EU-funded PHENOM consortium. Her clinical and research efforts aim to improve early intervention strategies and reduce stigma in mental healthcare.
Awards include funding from the Medical Research Council and international recognition for translational research. Di Forti actively promotes public health policies addressing cannabis use and mental health, contributing to guidelines during the pandemic. Her work bridges basic science and clinical practice, offering new insights into preventing and treating psychosis.
