News

MoDEL postdoctoral scholar Dr. Rachel Dickerson recently returned to Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand, to meet with leaders and members of the Pukapuka Community. Rachel worked with the community throughout her dissertation research, which focused on exploring genetic connections in Pukapukan history based on modern interpretations of oral traditions. Her community presentation marks the beginning of a new era of collaboration with the Pukapukan community as Rachel transitions from student to independent researcher.

Yao Tu, Ph.D. student mentored by Dr. Mohan Krishnan, presented research titled "Genetic underpinnings of stroke in Hispanic/Latino populations" at the recent annual meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics. The presentation focused on Yao's recent research into genetic risks of stroke in Hispanic/Latino (HL) populations. Genome-wide association study of 63,082 HL adults (3036 cases and 62% female) from 7 datasets identified multiple loci of interest as well as highlighted the need for sex-specific research into the genetic risks of stroke among HL populations.

This month, PLoS genetics published a new paper titled "Genome-wide association study provides novel insight into the genetic architecture of severe obesity" with MoDEL PI Mohan Krishnan as co-first author. The study analysed genetic data from over 159,000 individuals and identified three new genetic regions linked to severe obesity, within genes already known to influence body weight. Interestingly, the study showed that severe obesity and overall BMI share much of the same genetic background, meaning the genes that influence body weight also contribute to more extreme obesity. By combining genetic risk scores, health records, and environmental factors, the research highlighted how genetic predisposition and lifestyle together shape the risk for severe obesity and related health problems. This work expands our knowledge of the genetic factors behind severe obesity and emphasizes the importance of both genetics and the environment in tackling obesity-related diseases, offering new insights for prevention and treatment. Read the full paper in PLoS genetics. 

This month, MoDEL welcomes its first posdoctoral scholar, Dr. Rachel Dickerson. Rachel holds a Ph.D. in biological anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania. Her previous research focused on how population history shapes genetic risks of modern disease in Pacific Islands communities. At MoDEL, Rachel will continue working with Pacific communities for genetic research while incorporating multi-omics approaches.