Your Monthly News & Updates |
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Registration and
Symposia Submissions
are open for the
2023 World Congress
of Psychiatric Genetics!
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The International Society of Psychiatric Genetics warmly invites you to attend the World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics (WCPG), October 10-14, 2023 in Montreal, Canada. The WCPG is the premier international scientific meeting for research in psychiatric genetics and related areas. Leading experts of genetics, neuroscience, and psychiatry from all over the world will be participating.
The theme of this year's WCPG is "Putting People First in Psychiatric Genetics." With this motto, we want to give attention to the importance of the people in our field - scientists, researchers, practitioners, and patients. We hope to highlight ISPG's strategic focus on diversity, inclusion, and equity through focusing on the personal aspect of our field as well as the scientific.
We look forward to seeing you in Montreal!
2023 WCPG Program Chairs
Dr. Jehannine Austin
Dr. Laura Huckins
Dr. Gustavo Turecki
WCPG is currently accepting submissions for symposia, oral/posters, ECIP applications, and honorific award nominations.
Click here for a downloadable version of the 2023 WCPG Call for Proposals
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NEW THIS YEAR!
ISPG members receive discounted WCPG registration rates.
Renew your membership and register before July 31, 2023 to get the lowest rate!
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DON'T MISS THE
ISPG MEMBERS' MEETUP!
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Upcoming Members' Meetup Session:
Language and Stigma
with Dr. David Crepaz-Keay
Tuesday, March 7, 2023 6:00am ET US
The choice of language can have a significant impact on discrimination and mental health, particularly for individuals who already have, or are at an increased risk of receiving a psychiatric diagnosis. The people we encounter may already have experiences discrimination and the language we use in psychiatric genetics may inadvertently perpetuate discrimination. The use of stigmatising or insensitive language to describe psychiatric conditions or individuals affected can further marginalise and harm those who are already vulnerable.
This discussion will aim to help create inclusive and equitable environments for all individuals, including those who may be at an increased risk. This can involve using language that is respectful and non-stigmatising, and actively reducing discrimination and other environmental factors that may contribute to the development of psychiatric conditions.
And coming soon...
Educating Mental Health Clinicians in Psychiatric Genetics
with Dr. Aaron Besterman
Tuesday, March 14, 2023 8:00pm ET US
A full listing of all sessions can be found here.
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Remember, these sessions will be available ONLY TO ISPG MEMBERS. Click the link below to renew your membership today!
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Each month, we will spotlight one of our members in the society newsletter. This month's Member Spotlight is Brett Trost, our 2022 Richard Todd Award honoree. Read on for more information about Dr. Trost...
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Current Job Title/Affiliation: Research Associate, The Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Why do you study psychiatric conditions? Psychiatric disorders impact quality of life for hundreds of millions of people worldwide, making them a paramount global health concern. As a computational biologist and geneticist, I find studying psychiatric disorders extremely fascinating. Their genetics are very complex, with hundreds of genes and genetic loci implicated, making it extremely challenging (but also rewarding) to unravel the genetics of each disorder and understand the commonalities and differences among them.
In what ways do you think a deeper understanding of genetics can help people living with psychiatric disorders? Improving our understanding of psychiatric genetics reinforces the notion that psychiatric disorders are not personal failings or weaknesses, reducing the stigma that is often unfairly associated with them. Additionally, understanding the biological processes and pathways involved may lead to novel methods and treatments for reducing symptom frequency and severity.
What is your favorite part of your job? Having the opportunity to analyze genomic data from tens of thousands of individuals - something that would not have been possible just ten years ago
In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing psychiatric genetics? I will describe two challenges. First, more than 20 years after sequencing the human genome, we still have only a rudimentary understanding of how the genome works. Improving this understanding, especially as it relates to the impact of non-coding variants, will be extremely challenging, and will likely require many different types of data beyond genomic data, such as transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. Second, unraveling the phenotypic heterogeneity of psychiatric disorders and defining clinically homogenous subgroups will be critical to improving our understanding of them at both phenotypic and genotypic levels.
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If you would like to be featured in a future month's newsletter, please fill out this form. (You are not required to answer all questions.) We look forward to getting to know you!
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Join an ISPG Interest Group! |
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ISPG is excited to roll out Interest Groups. These groups are formed by members of our society who have a special interest in a topic and are open for membership to any member of ISPG who shares that interest. Check out the available groups below, and if you'd like to form a group of your own, please complete the application.
Stigma Reduction - This group will focus on language related to psychiatry and genetics in various contexts, including the WCPG - Contact Anna Docherty to join.
LGBTQIA+ - Connect with other members of the LGBTQIA+ community within the ISPG. Contact Jehannine Austin to join.
Genetic Testing in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - The mission of the Interest Group “Genetic Testing in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychiatry” is to develop a forum that facilitates:
- relevant stakeholders to work on aspects relating to enhancing the interdisciplinary exchange between researchers and clinicians in the field of psychiatric genetics, clinical genetics, CAP, and affected families.
- the implementation of genetic testing in routine CAP clinical care.
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ISPG is pleased to announce an agreement with Air Canada, the preferred airline for the 2023 World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics. Attendees of the congress can book a flight online at aircanada.com to receive discounted airfare for travel to Montreal.
To book a flight with the ISPG promotion code:
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Visit aircanada.com
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Enter the promotion code KRJNKNW1 in the Promotion Code Box.
Discounted fares are available from October 2-22, 2023, for travel to Montreal (YUL). We look forward to seeing you there!
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ISPG is pleased to partner with Tourism Montreal to bring the 2023 World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics to Montreal. |
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