My research focuses on using genetic epidemiology to understand the causes and consequences of mental health problems in the general population. My group investigates childhood mental health and (neuro)developmental problems, including ADHD, autism and cleft lip and/or palate and their progression across the lifespan. 

We use polygenic risk scores, Mendelian randomization as well as other causally informative designs and longitudinal observational investigations to study the natural progression of mental health traits across the lifespan, factors involved in developing mental health problems at different time points and outcomes.  

I currently lead an MRC research grant focused on improving mental outcomes in children born with cleft in collaboration with the Cleft Collective, one of the largest genetic studies of cleft lip/palate, and the MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics in Cardiff University. Our work aims to investigate common and rare genetic factors (Copy Number Variants) implicated in mental health problems in children born with cleft.