I am an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.  I have a Bachelor's in Science (majors in Microbiology, Zoology and Chemistry) as well as concurrent diplomas in Creative English and Psychological Sciences and certificates in Entomology and Environmental Sciences. In 2004, I received my doctorate in Human Genetics (Quantitative) from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Richmond, VA. Under the mentorship of Dr. Kenneth Kendler, my dissertation research focused on applying twin methodology to disentangling the extent to which genetic and environmental factors influenced predisposition to cannabis (marijuana) and other illicit/illegal drug (e.g. cocaine, hallucinogens, non-prescription opioids, sedatives) use, abuse and dependence. I continued my research into the genetic epidemiology of cannabis-related behaviors during my postdoctoral training at Wash U. During my postdoc (2004-2006), I worked with Drs. Pam Madden and Andrew Heath on several genomic projects that aimed to identify regions along the human genome, and the role of specific genes (e.g. nicotinic receptors), that influence risk for nicotine dependence and alcoholism. Currently, I am supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to conduct twin research on why cannabis and tobacco are commonly co-used across the world and to examine the role of common genetic influences on these drugs. I also serve as Principal Investigator on a project, from the Alcoholic Beverages Medical Research Foundation (ABMRF), that aims to  identify genetic variants influencing risk for heavy alcohol consumption and to study their interactions with stressful  life events, especially those occurring during childhood and early adolescence. Recently, I was funded to examine changes (and their correlates) in cannabis involvement in a large, nationally representative sample of US adults (NESARC) - these funds are from NIDA (supported by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act). I  also participate as a co-investigator/collaborator on several grants on the genetics of substance-related behaviors and led a phenotypic harmonization for alcohol-related measures on the GENEVA projects.

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