Projects
Cross-Population Working Group on Genes and Environment in Major Depression (POP-GEM)
Major depression (MD) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, arises from the action and interaction between genetic and environmental factors, and is often comorbid with other psychiatric and medical conditions. Although recent progress has yielded modest insight into the genetic architecture of MD, most studies have been in European ancestry populations, seriously limiting our knowledge of human genomic variation, disease etiology, and precision medicine efforts. Here, we propose cross-population genetic studies of MD to advance our understanding of the genetic architecture in all populations and ensure that genetic research is broadly applicable.
The PsycheMERGE Network
The PsycheMERGE Network is a collaborative, multi-site initiative dedicated to advancing precision psychiatry within a learning health care system framework. By integrating electronic health record (EHR) data with genomic and social determinants of health, PsycheMERGE aims to transform psychiatric care through equitable, data-driven methods.
With a combined sample size of over 29 million individuals — nearly 2 million of whom have genomic data — the network’s efforts are focused on developing scalable, bias-aware algorithms, performing inclusive trans-ancestry genomic analyses, and evaluating clinical applications such as differential diagnosis and antidepressant response prediction.
A core cross-cutting theme is equity: ensuring algorithmic fairness, incorporating diverse ancestry data, and centering underrepresented populations in psychiatric genomics.
PGC Cross Population Working Group
The PGC Cross Population Working Group was formed in May of 2018 and it has 100+ members. The goal of the group is to support genetic analyses in diverse groups and ancestral populations through method development, empirical investigations, and support of collaborative projects. The need for this group was evident from the fact that -- as of 2018 -- greater than 80 percent of genomic analyses had been conducted in exclusively European ancestry populations. Moreover, many leading genetics analysis methods were not yet suitable for use in different populations. Fortunately, acknowledgement of these problems in genetics research has become widespread, and we formed this group as a means of accelerating progress in this important research area.
Psychosis in African and Diaspora Settings (PADS)
The PADS Project is a global collaboration between SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University (Brooklyn, NY), the University of Ibadan (Nigeria), and the University of the West Indies (Trinidad & Tobago), focused on advancing the understanding of psychotic disorders in the Global South. Building on prior work from the INTREPID I and II studies, PADS introduces a new inpatient cohort across all three sites, with participants undergoing whole genome sequencing in partnership with the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research. This enables cross-site comparisons of clinical presentation, treatment response, and health outcomes in historically underrepresented populations.
The project will benchmark the generalizability of current polygenic scores, assess rare genomic variants of neurodevelopmental relevance, and compare findings to large U.S.-based studies including the Million Veteran Program, CSP #572, PUMAS, and All of Us. PADS also aims to strengthen research infrastructure at partner institutions and expand global representation in psychiatric genomics, offering new insights into untreated psychosis and early intervention across diverse populations.
CONVERGE Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most common complication of childbirth and is associated with negative outcomes for both mother and child. Although a significant proportion of risk for both major depression (MD) and PPD is due to genetic factors, the degree of etiological distinction between PPD and MD is currently unknown. Increased genetic risk for PPD could actually reflect an underlying vulnerability to psychiatric illness, rather than PPD-specific genetic factors. To determine whether genetic risk for PPD is reflecting more psychiatric- or reproductive-related processes, we aim to explore the genetic interrelationship between PPD and several psychiatric and non-psychiatric reproductive-related traits. These questions will primarily be investigated in populations of East Asian ancestry, a group historically underrepresented in psychiatric genomics research.
GEDI: Genes, Puberty, & Depression
Associations between depression and reproductive-related traits, including age at puberty onset, have been observed, with some research supporting a causal effect between early maturation and depression risk. Although current evidence suggests that these correlations are likely driven by both biological (e.g., hormonal changes) and psychosocial environmental factors (e.g., lack of peer social support), the specific underlying biological processes linking these phenotypes have yet to be disentangled. Genome-wide association studies have identified significant genotypic correlations between age at menarche and depression, suggesting that shared genetic influences may partially explain the observed phenotypic correlations.
However, it remains unclear whether these shared genetic influences are sustained throughout the life course. This study aims to provide additional insight into the biological processes underlying depression by investigating the genetic interrelationship between depression and age at pubertal onset in a subset of the Genes-Environment-Development Initiative (GEDI), a sample that combines genetic data with longitudinal measures from four cohorts.
All of Us Research Program
The All of Us Research Program is a historic effort to collect and study data from one million or more people living in the United States. The goal of the program is better health for all of us. Our mission is to accelerate health research and medical breakthroughs, enabling individualized prevention, treatment, and care for all of us. This mission is carried out through three connected focus areas that are supported and made possible by a team that maintains a culture built around the program’s core values. All of Us is guided by core values such as transparency, diversity, and keeping participant information secure.
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Latin American Genomics Consortium Major Depressive Disorder(MDD)Working Group
The LAGC MDD Working Group brings together researchers across Latin America, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. to advance psychiatric genomics for Latin American populations. With over 125 members representing 9 countries, the group focuses on large-scale collaborative studies to better understand the genetic factors of MDD — one of the most common and rising mental health challenges in the region. By uncovering unique genetic elements and promoting diverse representation, the MDD Working Group aims to address critical gaps in psychiatric genetics research and ultimately improve mental health outcomes in underserved communities.