Bao-Zhu Yang is a Researcher at Yale School of Medicine , specializing in the Department of Psychiatry . With a PhD from University at Albany (2001), his work focuses on genetic mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders. Positions: Research Scientist in Psychiatry Labs: Gelernter Lab, Division of Human Genetics His research explores gene-environment interactions , admixture mapping , and comorbid substance use-depression using linkage/association methods. Supported by NIH K01 funding, he investigates genetic bases for conditions including childhood depression , alcoholism , and PTSD . Recent publications highlight: Microbiome studies in methamphetamine use disorder (2023-2025) Genetic polymorphism analyses in NGF and GABAergic pathways (2020-2024) Network approaches to nicotine-alcohol comorbidity (2019) Epigenetic research on child maltreatment effects (2020) Scientific Recognition: Young Investigator Award (2011) from NARSAD Brain and Behavior Research Foundation Active grant support includes NIH K01 career development award for gene-mapping in comorbid disorders. Collaborates with leading researchers including Joel Gelernter and Hongyu Zhao across 30+ joint publications. His work spans 15+ years with recent focus on integrative -omics approaches to addiction psychiatry. Based at 300 George St, New Haven, CT , Yang's laboratory work involves genetic epidemiology , transcriptomic integration , and neurogenetic mapping of substance use disorders.
Professor Nikolaos Koutsouleris serves as a Research Group Leader for the Max Planck Fellow Group for Precision Psychiatry at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry and holds a position as Senior Physician in the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich. His work bridges clinical practice with advanced computational approaches to transform psychiatric diagnostics and treatment. Dr. Koutsouleris specializes in predictive psychiatry, focusing on extracting meaningful patterns from neurobiological, neurocognitive, and clinical data to improve early recognition of functional psychoses. His research employs structural MRI, neuropsychological testing, and clinical evaluations within cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, utilizing advanced machine learning methods to identify and validate biomarkers for single-subject prediction of psychosis. As head of the Early Psychosis Studies and the Workgroup for Neurodiagnostic Applications, he drives initiatives to implement predictive models across healthcare settings for personalized management of high-risk individuals. His publication record reveals a consistent focus on machine learning applications in psychiatry, with recent work addressing critical issues like the generalizability of clinical prediction models, brain aging patterns in large populations, and multimodal approaches to psychosis prediction. His research spans from fundamental methodological challenges to clinical applications, demonstrating how AI and machine learning are transforming psychiatric practice toward precision medicine. Dr. Koutsouleris actively trains pre- and post-doctoral investigators in advanced data analysis techniques, emphasizing comprehensive analysis of complex, high-dimensional datasets using multivariate methods. His leadership in the PRONIA Consortium and other collaborative efforts highlights his commitment to advancing the field through international cooperation and rigorous scientific inquiry.
Kristine Beate Walhovd is a Professor at the Department of Psychology , University of Oslo, and co-leader of the Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition (LCBC) . She is affiliated with the UiO:Life Science initiative and has led major projects like Lifebrain (€2.5M) and Neurocognitive Plasticity (ERC Starting Grant, €1.5M). Current roles: Professor (since 2016), Co-leader of LCBC Key affiliations: University of Oslo, Lifebrain Consortium, UiO:Life Science Her research focuses on lifespan brain and cognitive changes , examining both positive/negative developmental trajectories from age 4 to 90. She studies interactions between biomedical risks (e.g., Alzheimer's, fetal drug exposure) and cognitive outcomes, employing MRI , DTI , and ERP methodologies. Recent publications highlight work on Alzheimer's biomarkers , sleep-brain interactions , memory consolidation , and fetal brain influences . Her 2025 papers in Scientific Reports and Neurobiology of Aging examine hippocampal stability and brain network segregation. Awards include: 2015 University of Oslo Research Prize (shared with Anders Fjell) 2011 Member, Norwegian Academy of Sciences and Letters 2006 His Majesty the King's Gold Medal for best doctoral thesis She supervises doctoral candidates and teaches cognitive neuroscience , experimental methods , and thesis writing .
Chris Spencer is a Wellcome Trust Career Development Fellow at the Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford. His research focuses on statistical genetics, with emphasis on African population genetics, malaria susceptibility (via the MalariaGEN consortium), and stratified medicine applications in hepatitis C (STOP-HCV consortium). He develops methodologies to analyze genetic determinants of host-parasite interactions and their role in disease prevention and treatment. His work explores infectious disease impacts on human immune physiology through natural selection, aiming to translate genetic insights into clinical strategies. Recent studies include structural variation in malaria resistance genes and polymorphisms linked to pneumococcal bacteremia in Kenyan children. His computational tools, such as FINEMAP, advance variable selection in genome-wide association studies. Publications span malaria genetics, viral resistance, and population admixture, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to genomic medicine. Collaborations with global consortia highlight his commitment to addressing global health challenges through genetics.
Ole Andreas Andreassen is a Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Centre for Precision Psychiatry at the University of Oslo. He holds a joint appointment as an Attending Psychiatrist (20%) at Oslo University Hospital. His academic career includes leadership roles such as Director of the Centre of Excellence NORMENT (2013–2023) and the KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research (2012–2018). He completed his MD (1993) and PhD (1996) at the University of Bergen, followed by postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. Education: MD (1993, University of Bergen), PhD (1996, University of Bergen) Postdoc: Harvard Medical School (1998–2000) Specialist in Psychiatry: Oslo University Hospital (2006) His research focuses on mental and neuropsychiatric disorders, emphasizing genetics, brain imaging, and precision medicine. Key areas include the interplay of genetic and environmental factors in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and Alzheimer’s disease. He has pioneered studies on predictive tools and clinical interventions, with a strong emphasis on genomic and neuroimaging biomarkers. His publications span over 10 years, addressing topics like cortical abnormalities in bipolar disorder, genetic overlap between psychiatric conditions, and cannabis use impacts. These works highlight interdisciplinary approaches, blending genetics, neuroimaging, and clinical data. Awards: Brain Council Award (2024), Fridtjof Nansen Award (2023), University of Oslo Research Prize (2020) Leadership: Co-Director of the KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, ENIGMA Bipolar Working Group Chair, and member of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. Andreassen has supervised 42 PhD students and co-supervised numerous postdoctoral researchers. His grants and collaborations span EU-funded initiatives (e.g., CoMorMent, RealMent) and global networks like the Precision Psychiatry consortium. Labs and teams include the Centre for Precision Psychiatry and the Scandinavian Collaboration for Psychiatric Etiology (SCOPE), focusing on translational research and multimodal data integration.
Neil Martin Davies is a Researcher at the Department of Public Health and Nursing , Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) . His work bridges epidemiology, genetics, and public health, with a focus on causal inference, Mendelian randomization, and socioeconomic health disparities. His research explores the intersection of genetic epidemiology , developmental psychology , and clinical outcomes . Key themes include the impacts of antiseizure medications in pregnancy , cardiometabolic risks in psychiatric populations , and health policy implications of Mendelian randomization . Recent publications highlight methodological advancements in directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) , instrumental variable analysis , and family-based sampling . His work frequently addresses parental education effects , sleep patterns , and genetic correlations in large cohorts like UK Biobank. Neil Martin Davies contributes to scientific reporting standards , co-authoring the STROBE-MR guidelines for Mendelian randomization studies. His collaborations span neurology , mental health , and health economics , emphasizing causal relationships over correlational findings.
Dr. Espen Molden is an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, holding a 20% position while serving as Research Manager at the Center for Psychopharmacology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital. He earned his Cand.pharm. degree from the University of Oslo in 1997 and completed his Dr.scient. there in 2003. His primary research focuses on individual variability in drug efficacy and side effects, with particular emphasis on implementing pharmacogenetic knowledge in clinical practice. His research interests span multiple areas of pharmacology, including: Pharmacokinetics and therapeutic drug monitoring Pharmacogenetics (particularly CYP2D6 and CYP2C19) Drug interactions and cytochrome P450 metabolism Clinical applications in psychopharmacology Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2024-2025) reveals a strong focus on pharmacogenetics applications in clinical settings, particularly in psychopharmacology. His work heavily features therapeutic drug monitoring studies, CYP enzyme polymorphisms, and their clinical implications for antipsychotic and antidepressant treatments. A significant portion of his recent work examines clozapine metabolism, CYP2D6-related pharmacogenetics, and real-world data applications in personalized medicine. His scientific achievements include: Pharmacist of the Year award from the Norwegian Pharmaceutical Association (2006) Extensive publication record in high-impact journals including Nature Genetics, JAMA, and Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics Leadership in large collaborative research projects across multiple institutions Dr. Molden actively collaborates with numerous researchers including Professor Torgeir Bruun Wyller at Oslo University Hospital, Professor Anette Hylen Ranhoff at Diakonhjemmet Hospital, and international colleagues from institutions like Karolinska Institutet. His work bridges basic pharmacogenetic research with clinical implementation, particularly in psychiatric medication management.
Stefanie Sequeira is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Virginia, focusing on clinical psychology, adolescent mental health, and neuroimaging. Her research explores how social threat and reward processes develop during childhood and adolescence, linking these mechanisms to psychopathology such as anxiety disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs). Integrates ecological momentary assessment (EMA), fMRI, and eye-tracking into her work Pursues three research lines: novel measures for social threat/reward, brain-behavior links in psychopathology, and associations between reward functioning, anxiety, and STBs in adolescence Lab: Brains, Emotions, and Adolescent Relationships (BEAR) Lab Her recent publications examine social media impacts on adolescent affect, neuroimaging in ADHD, climate change anxiety, and cultural humility in psychology training. She is recruiting graduate students for Fall 2024.
Sita M.A. Bierma-Zeinstra is a Full Professor in the Department of General Practice at Erasmus MC, Erasmus University Rotterdam. Her academic work is deeply rooted in clinical and epidemiological research, particularly in the domain of musculoskeletal health and primary care. She is a leading figure in osteoarthritis research, focusing on knee and hip osteoarthritis, risk factors, and patient outcomes. Her research interests are centered on osteoarthritis epidemiology , primary health care interventions , biomechanics , and patient-centered outcomes . She employs advanced methodologies such as Mendelian randomization, cohort studies, and randomized controlled trials to investigate causal relationships and long-term disease trajectories. Her work emphasizes early diagnosis, prevention, and non-surgical management of joint disorders. The recent trend in her publications reveals a strong emphasis on large-scale collaborative studies , including meta-analyses from international consortia like World COACH. Her research spans clinical medicine, public health, and data-driven epidemiology, often integrating imaging, genetic, and patient-reported data. She frequently publishes in high-impact orthopedic and rheumatology journals such as Osteoarthritis and Cartilage . She has supervised over 60 research projects, including doctoral theses, indicating a strong commitment to academic mentorship and training the next generation of researchers in musculoskeletal medicine. Her work has been recognized through widespread academic engagement, with mentions in news outlets and discussions on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), as well as readership on Mendeley, indicating broad scholarly impact.
Gerard J. van den Berg is a Professor at the University of Groningen, holding dual affiliations in the Faculty of Economics and Business (Department of Economics, Econometrics and Finance) and the Faculty of Medical Sciences (Department of Epidemiology). His research focuses on labor economics, public policy, health economics, and econometrics. He has contributed to studies on unemployment dynamics, labor market policies, and transgenerational health effects. Notably, he has led randomized controlled trials evaluating integration agreements for the unemployed and examined the impact of economic conditions on health outcomes. He is a Fellow of the Econometric Society and a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. His work spans interdisciplinary areas including epidemiology, development economics, and behavioral economics. Education details are not explicitly provided in the text, but his roles suggest advanced academic training in economics and epidemiology. He has been involved in numerous collaborative projects across institutions such as the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), IZA, and J-PAL. His recent publications explore topics like minimum wage effects, biomarker-driven health studies, and the long-term impacts of early-life environments. Awards: Royal Netherlands Academy membership, Fellow of Econometric Society. Grants/Projects: Evaluation of labor market programs (IZA), research on economic determinants of diabetes (Health Economics). Labs/Teams: Affiliated with multiple institutions including CEPR, ZEW, and IFAU.
Michael Nothnagel is a Professor at the University of Cologne, where he leads the Department of Statistical Genetics and Bioinformatics within the Cologne Center for Genomics (CCG). His work spans statistical genetics, genetic epidemiology, and forensic genetics, focusing on methodological development and large-scale genomic data analysis. His research interests encompass theoretical and applied statistical genetics, with emphasis on human genetic diversity, disease etiology, and forensic applications. Key areas include Y-chromosomal phylogeography, genome-wide association studies for complex diseases, development of statistical methods for variant interpretation, and forensic marker optimization. His group leverages next-generation sequencing data and specialized forensic markers to address questions in population history, disease mechanisms, and identification systems. Recent publications reveal a strong focus on computational approaches to genetic analysis, including spatial frequency interpolation for haplogroup mapping, polygenic risk score applications for behavioral traits, and advanced methods for variant classification. His work demonstrates consistent integration of statistical theory with practical applications in medical and forensic genetics, often through international collaborations like the VISAGE Consortium. Nothnagel maintains active involvement in the Cologne Center for Genomics, contributing to seminars and collaborative projects including the upcoming 34th International Genetic Epidemiology Society meeting. His research group operates at the intersection of computational biology and medicine, with particular strengths in handling complex genomic datasets and developing novel analytical frameworks for genetic epidemiology.
Ify Mordi, PhD, serves as a Clinical Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Teaching and Research within the Division of Cardiovascular Research at the University of Dundee's School of Medicine. With an impressive research portfolio spanning over a decade, Dr. Mordi has published 139 research outputs and secured significant funding from organizations including the British Heart Foundation and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to good health and well-being through innovative cardiovascular research. Dr. Mordi's research focuses on the intersection of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, with particular expertise in heart failure (especially heart failure with preserved ejection fraction), aortic stenosis, and coronary artery disease. Her work increasingly incorporates artificial intelligence applications in cardiovascular medicine, including groundbreaking research using retinal imaging to predict cardiovascular outcomes. She leads multiple major research initiatives including the SOPHIST trial investigating Sotagliflozin in patients with heart failure symptoms and type 1 diabetes, and the UK HFpEF Registry in collaboration with the University of Manchester. Analysis of Dr. Mordi's recent publications reveals a strong trend toward integrating advanced analytics and AI with traditional cardiovascular research. Her work spans genetic epidemiology, clinical trials, population health studies, and innovative diagnostic approaches. The research demonstrates growing emphasis on precision medicine approaches for cardiovascular disease, particularly in diabetic populations, and the development of non-invasive diagnostic tools that could transform clinical practice. Dr. Mordi actively contributes to academic mentoring through PhD examinations and serves as an invited speaker at international conferences. Her research has received significant media attention, with coverage in 13 news outlets and mentions across social media platforms, highlighting the translational impact of her work. She has been involved in multiple high-impact collaborative projects including the iDiabetes Platform for enhanced phenotyping of diabetes patients and the REACH-HFpEF study examining home-based rehabilitation for heart failure patients. Through her leadership in the British Heart Foundation-funded Clinical Fellowship focused on improving prediction and prevention of heart failure in type 1 diabetes, Dr. Mordi is establishing herself as a key investigator in the field of cardio-diabetology. Her research program bridges basic science, clinical application, and health services research to address critical gaps in cardiovascular care for diabetic patients.
Professor Jeremy Guggenheim is a leading researcher in myopia genetics at Cardiff University's School of Optometry and Vision Sciences. With over two decades of research experience, he has made significant contributions to understanding the genetic and environmental factors contributing to short-sightedness. His work has been instrumental in identifying over four hundred genetic variants associated with myopia susceptibility through international collaborative efforts. His research interests span myopia genetics, genomic epidemiology, and the gene-environment interactions that influence refractive error development. Professor Guggenheim employs advanced genetic techniques including genome-wide association studies, Mendelian randomization, and polygenic risk scoring to unravel the complex etiology of myopia. His work bridges basic science discoveries with clinical applications for early detection and prevention of high myopia. Analysis of his recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on genetic risk prediction, environmental modifiers of myopia development, novel treatment mechanisms, and international consensus building for myopia management. His work increasingly incorporates machine learning approaches for disease detection while maintaining a strong foundation in genetic epidemiology. College of Optometrists Biennial Arthur Bennett Prize for Outstanding Research (2012/2013) ARVO Gold Fellow Award (2022) Professor Guggenheim has supervised numerous PhD students throughout his career and currently leads the Investigative Techniques undergraduate module. He serves on editorial boards for Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics, Translational Vision Science & Technology, and as Associate Editor for Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. His research is supported through multiple international collaborations including the Consortium for Refractive Error and Myopia (CREAM) and the UK Biobank Eye and Vision Consortium.
Marios Georgakis is a clinician-scientist and Junior Group Leader at the Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD) at LMU Munich. He also holds a Visiting Scientist position at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. His research focuses on leveraging multi-omics data and causal inference methods (e.g., Mendelian randomization) to discover drug targets for atherosclerosis, develop personalized risk stratification tools for cerebrovascular disease, and identify in vivo biomarkers of disease activity. His work bridges human genetics, molecular biology, and clinical translation. Education : MD and PhD (Epidemiology) from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens; doctoral studies in Systemic Neurosciences at LMU Munich. Honors : Emmy Noether Award (DFG), CHARGE Consortium Early Career Achievement Award, Hertie Network Fellowship, and multiple scholarships/fellowships. Research Themes : Drug target discovery for cardiovascular disease via multiomics integration Molecular phenotyping of atherosclerosis using single-cell RNA-seq and spatial transcriptomics Development of AI-driven tools for vascular imaging and aging Genetic studies of inflammation, cytokines, and stroke subtypes Causal inference in vascular risk prediction and post-stroke outcomes Recent Article Trends : His team's publications (2024-2020) emphasize: Proteogenomic and genetic studies of atherosclerosis Cytokine signaling pathways (e.g., IL-6, CCL2/CCR2) Polygenic and genomic risk scores for stroke Multi-omics biomarkers in cerebrovascular disease Clinical translation of Mendelian randomization findings Meta-analyses of population-based data Scientific Awards : Emmy Noether Group Leader Award (DFG, 2023) CHARGE Consortium Early Career Achievement (2023) Hertie Network Fellowship (2023) Walter-Benjamin Postdoctoral Fellowship (2021-2022) Team Leadership : Georgakis mentors multiple PhD students and postdocs in his lab. His group collaborates with vascular surgeons, neurologists, and computational biologists. Current projects include the AtherOMICS biobank and AI-driven vascular phenotyping tools.
Dr. Marios Georgakis is a Clinician-Scientist and Junior Group Leader at the Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD) at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich). He also serves as a Visiting Scientist at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and is completing his clinical residency in Neurology at LMU University Hospital. As Principal Investigator of the Georgakis Lab, he leads a research team focused on developing precision medicine approaches for cerebrovascular diseases. Education: Medical studies (M.D.): Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece (2009-2015) Master studies (M.Sc.): Molecular Physiology (Neurosciences), National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece (2015-2017) Doctoral studies (D.Sc.) in Epidemiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece (2015-2019) Doctoral studies (Ph.D.) in Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (GSN), LMU Munich, Germany (2017-2020) Dr. Georgakis' research focuses on leveraging big data from epidemiological studies and human biobanks to develop precise and personalized preventive and therapeutic strategies for cerebrovascular diseases. His work spans biomedical neuroscience with particular emphasis on cerebrovascular disease, stroke, atherosclerosis, cerebral small vessel disease, multi-omics, data science, epidemiology, and population genetics. He employs innovative bioinformatic tools including genome-wide association studies, Mendelian randomization, multi-omics integration, single-cell transcriptomics, spatial transcriptomics, and machine learning to discover causal mechanisms, identify therapeutic targets, develop risk stratification tools, and create accurate biomarkers for cerebrovascular diseases. His laboratory has established the AtherOMICS biobank for human atherosclerotic plaque samples and developed computational pipelines for big data analyses. Recent publication trends show a strong focus on genetic architecture of stroke, inflammatory pathways in cerebrovascular disease, and development of polygenic risk scores for clinical application. Scientific Awards: Emmy Noether Independent Group Leader Award, German Research Foundation (DFG), 2023 Early Career Achievement Award, CHARGE Consortium, 2023 Fellow of the Hertie Network of Excellence in Clinical Neuroscience, 2023 Clinician-Scientist Fellow of the Excellence Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 2023 Walter-Benjamin Fellowship for postdoctoral research by German Research Foundation (DFG), 2021-2022 Dr. Georgakis actively mentors a diverse team of 12 current students and postdocs including PhD students, MD students, and clinician scientists, with several alumni who have completed their training in his lab. His research is supported by multiple grants including the Emmy Noether program from the German Research Foundation, focusing on multi-omics characterization of immune mechanisms driving human atheroprogression, dissecting cerebrovascular atherosclerosis with population genetics, and developing personalized biomarkers using deep learning. The Georgakis Lab operates two main research platforms: the AtherOMICS Biobank for human atherosclerotic plaque samples and the Big Data Lab for computational analyses. These platforms enable his team to conduct deep phenotyping of human atherosclerosis, develop in vivo diagnostics, discover therapeutic targets, and create personalized diagnostic and risk prediction tools for cardiovascular diseases.
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