Genetic factors influence almost every human trait, from psychiatric illness to alcohol use disorders to the timing of birth. Our investigators strive to deepen the scientific understanding of how genes and the environment work together to impact human behavior and disease using a wide range of biometrical genetic and genomic techniques.
Working with partners across the university and domestic and international collaborators, our faculty and trainees are at the forefront of discoveries and developments to elucidate the genetic and environmental contributions to human traits and diseases, including:
- Behavioral and emotional disorders in children, adolescents and young adults
- Preterm birth, duration of pregnancy, and postpartum depression
- Psychiatric disorders including Major Depression, Anxiety, Schizophrenia
- Substance use disorders, such as alcohol and illicit drug use
- Tobacco/nicotine use and dependence
Partners and Collaborators
Faculty
Explore faculty research interests and recent publications by clicking the photos below.
Dana Lapato, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dana Lapato, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Human and Molecular Genetics
Research interests: Contribution of epigenetic mechanisms to complex trait etiology, risk liability and pathophysiology; open science and reproducible methodology; developmental trajectories of child and adolescent psychopathology; multi-omic data integration
Email: dana.lapato@vcuhealth.org
Hermine H. Maes, Ph.D.
Professor
Hermine H. Maes, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Human and Molecular Genetics
Research interests: Genetic Epidemiology Methodology; Relationships between Mental and Physical Health; Health Risk Factors: Obesity & Smoking; Substance Use & Abuse
Email: hermine.maes@vcuhealth.org
Timothy York, Ph.D.
Professor
Timothy York, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Human and Molecular Genetics
Assistant Director of Graduate Education
Research interests: Identification of genetic and environmental risk factors in complex disease and the use of biomarkers to elucidate disease subtypes
Email: timothy.york@vcuhealth.org