Current Job Title/Affiliation: Associate Professor of Medicine, Vanderbilt University
How has ISPG membership helped you or benefited your career? ISPG provided a wonderful community that helped me to launch my independent career. Early in my career, I met several mentors who have continued to provide support, encouragement, and invaluable advice. Membership in the ISPG is now a primary part of my academic and scientific identity.
In what ways do you think a deeper understanding of genetics can help people living with psychiatric disorders? I think we have only begun to scratch the surface of the ways in which genetics can help people living with psychiatric disorders. There is great promise in precision psychiatry to shorten the time to effective intervention. In addition, a deeper understanding of the role of genetics in psychiatry can help in promoting public mental health efforts. When delivered thoughtfully, this knowledge can also help to reduce stigma around mental illness.
What is your favorite part of your job? I love writing and I'll sometimes lose myself in the flow of expressing an idea I am excited about. Those are wonderful moments!
What is one piece of advice you would give to a PhD student? It is hard work to maintain your scientific integrity in a world that rewards results over process. Remind yourself regularly that your goal is to discover truth, and your responsibility is to accurately and ethically communicate what you are privileged enough to discover.
What is your favorite WCPG memory? Each year WCPG falls right around (and sometimes on) my daughter's birthday. In 2015, my WCPG talk was scheduled on her 10th birthday. She came to my talk (of her own free will!) and my last slide was a happy birthday message to her! It was so special for me to share my scientific passion and my scientific community with my family, and she got a great kick out of being on a slide!
