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Serious Mental Illness
Michael BloomfieldPrincipal Clinical Research Fellow, Division of Psychiatry Dr Bloomfield's work seeks to understand the mechanisms underlying how exposure to risk factors for mental illness during childhood and adolescence alter adult brain and cognitive function to give rise to mental illnesses so that new treatment and preventative interventions can be developed. He has been awarded an Excellence Fellowship from University College London, the British Medical Association's Margaret Temple Award for schizophrenia research, the British Association of Psychopharmaocology's BAP Award for Junior Clinical Psychopharmacologist of the Year and the Royal College of Psychiatrists Trainee of the Year award. In addition he has received young investigator awards from the European College of Neuropsychopharmocology, the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology and major international research societies. Other research interests include Neuroscience | Pharmacology | Psychological Interventions | Trauma |
Elvira BramonProfessor of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Division of Psychiatry I’m interested in biological markers of brain function and structure that can be used to characterise psychosis. In particular, I have expertise in using EEG techniques like evoked potentials and quantitative EEG and have also worked with structural imaging and cognitive biomarkers for psychosis. Other research interests include Cognition | Neuroscience | Pharmacology | Serious Mental Illness | Genomics Ella BurchillAcademic Foundation Doctor, Division of Psychiatry Other research interests include Dementia | Epidemiology | Neuroscience | Older Adult Mental Health |
Alexandra BurtonSenior Research Fellow, Institute of Epidemiology and Health I currently lead on the qualitative component of the Shaper-PND implementation trial to explore the experiences of new mothers with postnatal depression who take part in group singing sessions. I am also working on studies that explore the impact of social isolation on health and well-being during the covid-19 pandemic. Other research interests include Dementia | Psychological Interventions | Psychosocial | Physical Health George ChapmanHonorary research fellow, Division of Psychiatry Other research interests include Dementia | Neuroscience | Pharmacology | Older Adult Mental Health |
David CurtisHonorary Professor, Division of Biosciences Since 1990 I collaborated with Hugh Gurling at the UCL Molecular Psychiatry Lab in research aimed at identifying genes affecting risk of mental illness. Initially we carried out linkage studies of families multiply affected with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Subsequently I have been involved in association studies and latterly studies using next generation sequencing data. Throughout this time I have also developed new statistical approaches and have written computer software to carry out genetic analyses. I am currently working on methods for detecting genetic variants affecting risk of complex diseases using large exome-sequenced datasets. Other research interests include |
Christian Dalton-LockePhD Student and Research Assistant, Division of Psychiatry Other research interests include |
Ravi DasAssociate Professor, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences Other research interests include Neuroscience | Pharmacology | Psychological Interventions | Substance Abuse |
Anthony DavidProfessor of Mental Health Director & Sackler Chair, UCL Institute of Mental Health I graduated in medicine from Glasgow University in 1980 and trained in neurology before entering psychiatry at the Maudsley Hospital, London. I also have a Masters degree in Cognitive Neuropsychology. I was an honorary consultant at the Maudsley from 1990-2018 and was awarded a personal chair from the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London in 1996. I was Vice Dean for Academic Psychiatry at the IoPPN in 2013-8. Other research interests include |
Zsofia DemjenAssociate Professor of Applied Linguistics, IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society I work at the intersections of language, mind and health(care), exploring (experiences of) mental/physical illness, healthcare, and medical research through linguistic analysis. My approach is data-driven and discourse analytic, focusing on any aspect of language that stands out in a given context. I've worked specifically on metaphor, im/politeness, personal pronouns, negation, narratives and humour. Other research interests include Mood Disorders | Physical Health | Language |
Jen DykxhoornSenior Research Fellow, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Other research interests include Mood Disorders | Epidemiology | Global Mental Health | Psychosocial | Substance Abuse | Children and Young People's Mental Health Dena EttehadAcademic Clinical, Fellow in Primary Care and Population Health Other research interests include Children and Young People's Mental Health | Epidemiology | Global Mental Health | Health and Social Care | Wellbeing | Trauma | Suicide and Self-harm | Digital Health | Mood Disorders | Older Adult Mental Health | Psychosocial Abigail FreemanClinical Fellow, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences Other research interests include Mood Disorders | Psychosocial | Children and Young People's Mental Health | Suicide and Self-harm | Psychological Interventions |
Aikaterini FotopoulouProfessor, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences Katerina’s research aims to understand the interface between mental and somatic health and ultimately advance the treatment of related health disorders, including unawareness following stroke, functional motor and eating disorders. Katerina has published around 100 papers (see below for full list) and edited the volume Fotopoulou, A. Conway, M.A. Pfaff, D. From the Couch to the Lab: Trends in Psychodynamic Neuroscience. Oxford University Press, 2012. Her grant’s portfolio totals approximately 4.2 million EUR, including two ERC grants. Other research interests include Neuroscience | Physical Health | Cognition | Children and Young People's Mental Health Emma Ruby FrancisPhD Candidate, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences Other research interests include Children and Young People's Mental Health | Epidemiology | Older Adult Mental Health | Trauma | Wellbeing India Francis-CrossleyPhD Research Student, Division of Psychiatry Other research interests include Children and Young People's Mental Health | Epidemiology | Neuroscience | Psychosocial | Cognition |
James GilleenSenior Lecturer, Division of Psychiatry Other research interests include Pharmacology | Psychological Interventions | Neuroscience | Wellbeing | Cognition | Children and Young People's Mental Health Dr Tania GergelHonorary Senior Research Fellow, Division of Psychiatry Other research interests include Global Mental Health | Suicide and Self-harm | Mood Disorders | Ethics and law / Co-production |
Sergi Costafreda GonzalezAssociate Professor, Division of Psychiatry Other research interests include Dementia | Cognition | Mood Disorders | Older Adult Mental Health Jason Grant-RowlesAdvisory Board member, Institute of Mental Health Other research interests include Health and Social Care | Substance abuse | Trauma | Global Mental Health |
Lisa Marie GruenwaldClinical Trial Manager and PhD Student, Division of Psychiatry Other research interests include Psychological Interventions | Pharmacology | Psychosocial | Physical Health |
Zoë HaimePhD Student, Division of Psychiatry Other research interests include Cognition | Pharmacology | Psychological Interventions | Eating Disorders |
Joseph HayesPrincipal Research Fellow, Division of Psychiatry Research areas: Other research interests include Mood Disorders | Epidemiology | Pharmacology | Physical Health |
Ambrose Dominic HoganLecturer in Education, IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society Other research interests include Children and Young People's Mental Health | Psychosocial | Boundary between normal school teaching and clinical practices Georgie HudsonPhD Student, Division of Psychiatry Other research interests include Children and Young People's Mental Health | Epidemiology | Trauma | Psychological Interventions |
Karishma JivrajLecturer, Institute of Education Other research interests include Children and Young People's Mental Health | Epidemiology | Pharmacology |
Sonia JohnsonProfessor of Social and Community Psychiatry, Division of Psychiatry My main interests are in the clinical and social needs and the treatment outcomes of people with significant mental health problems such as psychosis and bipolar disorder. The areas in which I've worked most have been acute care and early psychosis. I have had a major role in several studies of crisis services, including evaluations of crisis resolution teams and of alternatives to standard inpatient care. My clinical work is as consultant psychiatrist in the Camden and Islington Early Intervention Service for psychosis. Other research interests include Children and Young People's Mental Health | Epidemiology | Psychosocial | Applied clinical research (development and testing of interventions) Garrett KiddResearch Assistant, Division of Psychiatry Other research interests include Epidemiology | Global Mental Health | Health and Social Care | Mood Disorders | Older Adult Mental Health | Psychological Interventions | Psychosocial | Substance abuse | Suicide and Self-harm | Trauma | Wellbeing |
Helen KillaspyProfessor of Rehabilitation Psychiatry, Division of Psychiatry Helen Killaspy is Professor and Honorary Consultant in Rehabilitation Psychiatry. Her research focuses on services and interventions for people with complex mental health problems. Other research interests include Health Services Research |
James KirkbrideReader in Epidemiology, Division of Psychiatry My lab, PsyLife (www.psylife.eu), aims to investigate the social determinants of psychosis at multiple levels of causation across the life course. I am particularly interested in understanding how our social, built and physical environments can affect the risk of psychosis, and why migrants and their descendants show elevated rates of psychotic disorder. This research is explored through series of multilevel and longitudinal epidemiological investigations. Our research currently includes two large, epidemiological studies of first episode psychosis: the Social Epidemiology of Psychoses in East Anglia study [SEPEA] (www.sepea.org) and the Cambridgeshire centre of the EUropean network of schizophrenia networks studying Gene-Environment Interactions [EU-GEI] (www.eu-gei.eu). Future research projects will focus on Swedish linked longitudinal datasets, the UK ALSPAC birth cohort and a Canadian cohort of young people (NLSCY). My past research has been predominantly conducted in the AESOP and East London First Episode Psychosis studies. Other research interests include Epidemiology | Global Mental Health | Psychosocial | Psychosis |
Danielle LambSenior Research Fellow, Institute of Epidemiology & Health Danielle is currently a senior research fellow in the NIHR ARC (North Thames). Her work focuses on using mixed methods to evaluate the implementation of complex health services and interventions. Her previous work focussed on mental health services and interventions, particularly acute mental health services such as Crisis Resolution Teams and Acute Day Units. Other research interests include Physical Health | Psychological Interventions | Wellbeing | Occupational Psychology |
Naomi LaundersPhD Student, Division of Psychiatry Other research interests include Epidemiology | Global Mental Health | Substance Abuse | Physical Health |
Maria LongTrial Manager (NHS) and PhD student, Division of Psychiatry Other research interests include Epidemiology | Psychological Interventions | Psychosocial | Physical Health | Wellbeing | Cognition |
Rosalind McAlpinePhD Student, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences Other research interests include Pharmacology | Mood Disorders | Psychological Interventions | Psychosocial | Substance Abuse | Wellbeing Nigel McKenzieResearch Associate, Division of Psychiatry Other research interests include Mood Disorders | Suicide and Self-harm | Epidemiology | Substance abuse |
Andrew McQuillinProfessor, Division of Psychiatry Research in the Molecular Psychiatry laboratory has centred on the use of genetics to develop an understanding of the abnormal neurobiology that increases the risk of developing schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, ADHD and alcoholism. Other research interests include |
Kate MerrittResearch Fellow, Division of Psychiatry My research interest is neuroimaging biomarkers of schizophrenia and psychosis. My previous work examined 1H-MRS measures of glutamate in the brain, and their relationship with treatment response in schizophrenia. My current work characterises the neurodevelopmental trajectories of psychotic experiences, and how social risk factors impact brain development to cause psychotic experiences. Other research interests include Children and Young People's Mental Health | Epidemiology | Pharmacology | Neuroscience |
Nicola MorantAssociate Professor, Division of Psychiatry I am an Associate Professor in the Division of Psychiatry, and a specialist in qualitative research methods in mental health. I work across numerous research projects, leading qualitative work streams that aim broadly to explore and understand the experiences and perspectives of stakeholders (particularly service users) in mental health, and to bring these insights into treatment and service development. Other research interests include |
Ciarán O'DriscollLecturer in Clinical Psychology, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences Other research interests include Digital Health | Mood Disorders | Psychological Interventions |
Sami Omar AmawiCore trainee in psychiatry, Division of Psychiatry Other research interests include |
David OsbornProfessor of Psychiatric Epidemiology, Division of Psychiatry David's main research interests are the interface between physical and mental health, psychiatric epidemiology and the provision of effective and safe interventions for people with severe mental illnesses including psychosis. He has published related work over the last 20 years in journals such as The British Medical Journal, British Journal of Psychiatry and Archives of General Psychiatry/JAMA Psychiatry. Other research interests include Mood Disorders | Pharmacology | Physical Health | Epidemiology |
Steven PapachristouLecturer in Psychology, Department of Psychology and Human Development Other research interests include Mood Disorders | Pharmacology | Cognition | Children and Young People's Mental Health |
Rachel PearsonResearch Assistant, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health I am currently working on a research project which will utilise linked family courts and healthcare data to examine women who become involved in care proceedings and have children placed into out-of-home care. In particular, we aim to identify opportunities for greater input in a healthcare setting to improve the health and wellbeing of mothers involved in recurrent care proceedings and to reduce child maltreatment. Other research interests include Epidemiology | Substance Abuse | Physical Health | Family Justice System Tua PiehlHeadquarters Administrator, UK Dementia Research Insitute Other research interests include Dementia | Neuroscience | Trauma | Children and Young People's Mental Health | Psychological Interventions Lucy RingHonorary Research Fellow, Division of Psychiatry Other research interests include |
Jonathan RogersWellcome Trust Clinical PhD Fellow, Division of Psychiatry Jonathan Rogers is a researcher in the UCL Division of Psychiatry specialising in neuropsychiatric disorders, and particularly catatonia. His current research involves investigating the neurobiology of catatonia using epidemiological, neuroimmunological and neuroimaging techniques. He is also interested in psychopharmacology and the psychiatry of COVID-19. Other research interests include |
Natalie ShohamClinical Fellow, Division of Psychiatry I am looking at how visual impairment and psychosis are associated, using large datasets, for my PhD. Other research interests include Epidemiology | Physical Health Tami SowemimoResearch Assistant, Division of Psychology and Language Other research interests include Serious Mental Illness | Psychological Interventions | Digital Health |
Ramya SrinivasanWellcome Trust Clinical Research Fellow in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Division of Psychiatry I am a Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Fellow and ST6 in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I am interested in adolescent mental health, neurodevelopmental disorders and how childhood mental health is related to adult mental health. My PhD focusses on childhood irritability and adolescent depression. Other research interests include Epidemiology | Psychosocial | Children and Young People's Mental Health |
Jean StaffordPostdoctoral Research Fellow, Division of Psychiatry My research is broadly focused on dementia and the mental health of older people. In my PhD, I investigated the incidence of very late-onset psychotic disorders in Swedish register, while during my postdoctoral fellowship I examined associations between psychiatric disorders and subsequent dementia. Other research interests include |
Thomas SteareUCL Wellcome PhD Student in Mental Health Science, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience Other research interests include Psychosocial | Epidemiology | Children and Young People's Mental Health | Mental Health Services |
Sahra TekinPhD Student, Division of Psychiatry Other research interests include Psychological Interventions | Global Mental Health | Wellbeing |
Baihan WangPhD Student, Division of Psychiatry Other research interests include Dr Megan WatkinsSenior Researcher at National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (Collaboration between Royal College of Psychiatrists and UCL), Division of Psychology and Language Sciences Other research interests include Mood Disorders | Suicide and Self-harm | Trauma | Psychological Interventions |
Andrew WatsonHonorary Clinical Lecture, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences Other research interests include Cognition |Trauma | Psychological Interventions | Digital Health |
Kaja WiduchData Manager, Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology Other research interests include Psychological Interventions | Global Mental Health | Psychosocial | Children and Young People's Mental Health | Wellbeing | Psychiatric Research |
Justin Christopher YangResearch Fellow, Division of Psychiatry Other research interests include Substance Abuse | Epidemiology | Mood Disorders | Pharmacology |