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Laura Vilar-Ribó Joins the Lab as a Postdoctoral Researcher!
We are delighted to announce Dr. Laura Vilar-Ribò officially returned to the Sanchez-Roige lab as a postdoctoral researcher in March 2024!
Dr. Vilar-Ribò’s work focuses on unravelling the underlying genetic mechanisms that contribute to the development of psychiatric disorders and complex traits, particularly Substance Use Disorders (SUD), Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and impulsivity.
During her research career, Dr. Vilar-Ribó was exposed to complex quantitative genomic techniques, including Genome-Wide Association Studies, Polygenic Scores, Phenome-Wide Association Studies, fine-mapping, LD-score regression, genomic SEM, Mendelian Randomization, MiXeR, among others. Additionally, she worked with large-scale datasets such as the UK Biobank, 23andMe, BioVU and Allofus.
Dr. Vilar-Ribó is a highly collaborative researcher; she is an active member of multiple international consortiums, including the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium SUD workgroup (PGC-SUD) and the PsycheMERGE consortium. Through collective efforts and interdisciplinary approaches, she shows her commitment to advancing our understanding of psychiatric genetics and translating these findings into effective interventions and treatments for individuals affected by these conditions.
Welcome (back) to the team, Laura!
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New article accepted at Nature Human Behavior!
The article entitled “Multi-ancestry meta-analysis of tobacco use disorder identifies 461 potential risk genes and reveals associations with multiple health outcomes” has been accepted for publication at Nature Human Behavior! Mariela Jennings, Benjamin Pham, Sevim Bianchi, John Meredith, Laura Vilar-Ribó, Michael Ehinmowo, Shreya Pakala, and Brittany Leger are co-authors and Sandra Sanchez-Roige is the lead investigator.
Click here to check out the preprint!
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Sandra receives the SOBP A.E. Bennett Basic Research Award!
In recognition of her outstanding achievements in the field, Dr. Sandra Sanchez-Roige was selected for the 2024 A.E. Bennett Basic Research Award presented by the Society of Biological Psychiatry.
Congratulations and well deserved, Sandra!
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Three new students join the lab!
The Sanchez-Roige lab is excited to announce three undergraduate students have joined the lab: Anirudh Chandrasekaran, Daniel Zoleikhaeian, and Ritviksiddha Penchala!
Anirudh Chandrasekaran (pictured) is currently pursuing a degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology, with minors in Psychology and Human Developmental Science, and is hoping to go to medical school. Anirudh will be working on the POMS Study, specifically looking at opioid use disorders, and hopes to gain a better understanding of risk factors associated with opioid use among different demographics. Apart from the lab, Anirudh enjoys playing the violin, loves to swim, and is always keen to try different food places! -
Sevim Bianchi, Student Employee of the Year!
Sevim Bianchi, a Sanchez-Roige alumni, was selected as one of twelve Triton Student Employees of the Year in 2023.
Her story was recently featured by UC San Diego Today, which you can read here.
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Dr. Natasia Courchesne-Krak is promoted to Assistant Professor!
The Sanchez-Roige lab’s very own Natasia Courchesne-Krak was promoted from postdoc to Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UC San Diego!
Her work will focus on investigating sex-stratified genetic contributions to substance use disorders and other externalizing behaviors across the lifespan. She officially took up the position December 1 2023.
Congratulations, Natasia! We look forward to a future of continued collaborations as you embark on this next step. We are so proud of you!
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Congratulations and welcome, Dr. Vilar-Ribó!
Description goes hereThe Sanchez-Roige lab is delighted to congratulate the newly minted Dr. Laura Vilar-Ribó on her beyond successful thesis defence!
Dr. Vilar-Ribó completed her PhD November 20th at the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. She plans to join the Sanchez-Roige lab in 2024 as a postdoctoral fellow.
Congratulations, Laura! We are so excited for you to join the team!
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New article accepted at JAMA Psychiatry!
The article entitled “Correlates of Risk for Disinhibited Behaviors in the Million Veterans Program Cohort” has been accepted for publication at JAMA Psychiatry! Sandra Sanchez-Roige is a co-author.
Click here to check it out!
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New article accepted at Nature Human Behavior!
The article entitled “Multi-ancestry meta-analysis of tobacco use disorder prioritizes novel candidate risk genes and reveals numerous associations with health outcomes” has been accepted for publication at Nature Human Behaviour. Sandra Sanchez-Roige is the corresponding author and Mariela Jennings, Benjamin Pham, Sevim Bianchi, John Meredith, Laura Vilar-Ribó, Shreya Pakala, and Brittany Leger are co-authors.
Click here to check out the preprint and stay tuned for its official release!
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New article accepted at Clinical Psychological Science!
The article entitled “Executive Function and Impulsivity Predict Distinct Genetic Variance in Internalizing Problems, Externalizing Problems, Thought Disorders, and Compulsive Disorders: A Genomic Structure Equation Modeling Study” has been accepted for publication at Clinical Psychological Science. Sandra Sanchez-Roige and Mariela Jennings are co-authors.
Click here to check it out!
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Sandra Sanchez-Roige is selected as an ACNP URM Mentor!
Sandra Sanchez-Roige was selected as a Mentor for the 2024 American College of Neuropsychopharmacology Under-Represented Minority Near-Peer Mentorship Program.
The program helps connect junior and senior scientists to facilitate diversity and inclusivity in the field of neuropsychopharmacology. Well done, Sandra!
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Bonjour, Montreal! The Sanchez-Roige lab goes to the World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics
What could be better way to spend (Canadian) Thanksgiving than in beautiful Montreal at the WCPG conference?
Sandra, Renata, Hayley, and Natasia attended the conference alongside their psychiatric geneticist colleagues from October 10-14. Sandra and Hayley each gave oral presentations, and Natasia and Renata presented posters — and Renata was a poster finalist! Go, Renata!