In the Genetic Epidemiology Group, we use genetic approaches to gain deeper insights into individual differences in behavior and mental health disorders. By integrating methods from diverse fields—including behavioral, population, and statistical genetics, neuroscience, and bioinformatics—we aim to enhance our understanding of the genetic and environmental influences on these complex traits. Our work also includes promoting diversity in genetic studies and translating our findings into policy, intervention, and prevention advice.

Our research encompasses a broad range of methodologies, including twin studies, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and causal inference methods, applied to diverse phenotypes such as addiction, OCD, depression, educational attainment, cognition, and measures of brain activity. We lead several large-scale international consortia, such as the International Cannabis Consortium, and studies within consortia, such as ENIGMA-EEG and the OC symptom group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC), the Social Science Genetic Association Consortium (SSGAC), and the European Social Science Genetics Network (ESSGN).

To foster collaboration among genetics research groups in Amsterdam and improve outreach, we co-established GENE Amsterdam a few years ago (www.geneticsnetworkamsterdam.org).

Team members