Michael Shanahan

Michael Shanahan is a Professor of Sociology and Director of the Department of Sociology at the University of Zurich. He is also a former Director of the Jacobs Center (2015-2021) and a member of the Governing Board. His research focuses on the intersection of life course sociology with molecular genetics and health outcomes, particularly examining how early social experiences influence gene expression and chronic disease risk. He leads the Social Genomics Lab at UZH, collaborating with institutions like UCLA and UNC-Chapel Hill on large-scale studies such as the Add Health longitudinal project.

Key research interests include:

• Life course models of health and disease
• Gene transcription regulation and social stratification
• Socioeconomic disparities in molecular health markers

His work bridges sociology with genomics, using Bayesian statistical methods and transcriptomic data to analyze health trajectories. Notable collaborations include Dr. Kathleen Mullan Harris (Add Health director) and Dr. Steve Cole (UCLA), resulting in high-impact studies on inflammatory biomarkers and gene-environment interactions. He has contributed to foundational texts like the Handbook of the Life Course and pioneered methodologies for integrating genetic data into social science research.

His lab focuses on:

• Developing infrastructure for genomic epidemiology
• Exploring upstream regulators of immune function
• Linking life course theory to molecular mechanisms