NHMRC Career Development Award: Genes, bogy, environment and the development of substance use and mental health disorders (2011–2015)
Abstract:
Accelerated research output and new, successful research projects underpin this expanded program for a 4 year Career Development Award at level 2. For this CDA, I aim to investigate the role of GENETIC, BIOLOGICAL and ENVIRONMENTAL factors in moderating the development of substance use and mental health problems in adults.
Accordingly, my research plan for the next 4 years has three components.
I aim to 1) determine pathways toward alcohol and other substance use disorders from in-utero exposure to substances through to the development of these disorders later in life. I will progress a research program in the life course epidemiology of alcohol problems and establish factors influencing persistence of alcohol problems in older age groups.
In the next 4 years, I also aim to 2) expand my existing program of research into genetic biomarkers related to addictions and other psychiatric disorders (GENETIC EPIDEMIOLOGY), with a view to increase knowledge on the aetiology of these disorders. I will seek separate funding to study the biological, environmental and genetic pathways leading to alcohol disorders in the 30 year-old MUSP birth cohort participants.
I will continue to investigate 3) CAUSAL FACTORS LEADING TO MENTAL HEALTH RISK. In particular I will extend my research on the 'developmental origin' of mental disorders to older cohorts and investigate a broader range of adult health outcomes. I will pursue funding to progress understanding of the life-course epidemiology of suicide, to explore additional questions on factors influencing suicide risk, including associations with substance abuse, like alcohol and cannabis. I will also look at longitudinal factors influencing risk of suicide and suicide mortality in ex-prisoners.
Finally, I will strengthen my existing links with eminent scholars in the field of life-course epidemiology in order to increase the quality and volume of my research output and further advance my international profile.
