Project Title
Unravelling the Secrets of Stress: An Investigation of the Associations between Genetic, Epigenetic and Psychosocial Factors in Posttraumatic Outcomes
Supervisory Team
Associate Professor Divya Mehta
Professor Jane Shakespeare-Finch
Project Description
My project spans across two longitudinal projects within the Stress Genomics Laboratory; the EmerGES (Emergency services Groups Epigenetics Study) NHMRC project, and Un-Stress (University Stress) project. Utilising both cross-sectional and longitudinal genetic, epigenetic and biopsychosocial data across these distinct target populations will allow thorough and well powered analyses of the complex interactions between genetic/epigenetic and environmental factors in post-trauma outcomes.
Short Biography
Jessica (they/them) completed their undergraduate studies at UQ, earning a BSc (Biomedical Sciences) and BA (Japanese & Linguistics) and the Dean’s Commendation for First Class BSc Honours for their research project into the metabolic pathways of pathogenic fungus. After 18 months in Phase 1 human clinical trials, they realised that they missed research and returned to academia, beginning their PhD journey with the Stress Genomics Laboratory team at QUT. They are honoured to have the opportunity to work with a diverse, multidisciplinary team on a NHMRC project spanning the intersection between molecular genetics, biostatistics and psychiatrics.
Education
BSc Hons (Biomedical Sciences, Genetics)
BA (Japanese & Linguistics)