Dr Michel Nivard
BSc, MSc, PhD
Current positions
Professor in Genetic Epidemiology
Epidemiology and Health Data Science
Contact
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Biography
Following his PhD, Michel served as a Research Fellow at VU University, where he advanced his expertise in statistical genetics and developed innovative methodologies for analyzing complex traits. His dedication to open science led to the creation of widely adopted analytical tools, including GenomicSEM, which have become essential resources in the field of genetic epidemiology. Michel’s work has been published in high-impact journals such as Nature Genetics, Nature Communications, and Science, highlighting his significant contributions to understanding the genetic architecture of psychiatric disorders. He then developed his own independent academic carreer as an Assistant, and alter asscoaite, Professor in the Department of Biological Psychology at VU University, Amsterdam.
Michel has been recognized for his scholarly excellence and leadership with awards like the Fuller and Scott Award from the Behavior Genetics Association and the Lodewijk Sandkuijl Award from the Netherlands Society for Human Genetics. As a dedicated mentor, he has supervised numerous doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, guiding them to successful careers in academia and industry. Previously a Jacobs Foundation Research Fellow, Michel continues to drive forward the frontiers of statistical genetics, fostering an environment of innovation and collaboration to enhance mental health research through transparent and reproducible science.
Research interests
My research interest lies in developing and applying innovative methods in statistical genetics to understand the etiology of psychiatric, psychological, and behavioral traits. I focus on the interplay between genetic and environmental factors, including gene-by-environment interactions, with an emphasis on multivariate models and structural equation modeling for complex trait analyses. I leverage large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to elucidate the shared and distinct genetic architectures underlying psychiatric disorders. Additionally, I work on open-source analytics platforms (notably GenomicSEM) that facilitate transparent, reproducible science. My longitudinal approaches clarify stability and change in psychopathology across the lifespan and ultimately advance personalized risk prediction.
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
8539 MRC IEU - Programme 7
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
Dates
01/01/2024 to 31/01/2028
Publications
Recent publications
01/12/2025Detaching From the Nine‐to‐Five
Journal of Sleep Research
The shared genetic architecture and evolution of human language and musical rhythm
Nature Human Behaviour
Cell-Free DNA GWAS Reveals Importance of p.Arg206Cys in DNASE1L3 for Non-Invasive Testing
Beyond the factor indeterminacy problem using genome-wide association data
Nature Human Behaviour
Disentangling potential causal effects of educational duration on well-being, and mental and physical health outcomes
Psychological Medicine
Teaching
I am committed to creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment that values diverse perspectives. By encouraging collaboration and open dialogue, I help students from varied backgrounds feel heard and valued, enhancing the richness of our collective learning experience. My involvement in workshops on genetic methods for human complex traits underscores my dedication to hands-on, applied learning, allowing students to engage directly with cutting-edge methodologies.
Mentorship is a cornerstone of my approach. I prioritize the professional growth of my students, fostering their development into independent scientists ready to tackle real-world challenges. Through personalized guidance and continuous feedback, I support their academic and career aspirations. Ultimately, my goal is to inspire a passion for scientific inquiry and ethical research practices, preparing students to make meaningful contributions to the field of biological psychology and beyond.
Related people
Professor George Davey Smith
Professor of Clinical Epidemiology
Epidemiology and Health Data Science
Professor Golam Khandaker
Professor of Psychiatry and Immunology and MRC Investigator
Epidemiology and Health Data Science
Professor Gibran Hemani
Professor in Statistical Genetics
Epidemiology and Health Data Science
Dr Chloe Slaney
Senior Research Associate in Immunopsychiatry
Epidemiology and Health Data Science
Dr Elizabeth Corfield
Senior Research Associate in Genetic Epidemiology
Epidemiology and Health Data Science