Kathleen Merikangas

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Kathleen Merikangas at NHGRI

Kathleen Merikangas is a prominent American epidemiologist and clinical psychologist known for her extensive research in the field of psychiatric epidemiology. She has made significant contributions to the understanding of the genetic and environmental factors associated with mental disorders.

Early Life and Education

Kathleen Merikangas was born in the United States. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Notre Dame, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. She then pursued a Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of Pittsburgh.

Career

Merikangas began her career as a researcher at the Yale University School of Medicine, where she focused on the epidemiology of mental health disorders. She later joined the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), where she currently serves as the Chief of the Genetic Epidemiology Research Branch.

Research Contributions

Kathleen Merikangas is renowned for her pioneering work in the field of psychiatric epidemiology. Her research has primarily focused on the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the development of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders. She has conducted numerous large-scale epidemiological studies, including the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS) and the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R).

Genetic Epidemiology

Merikangas has been instrumental in identifying the genetic underpinnings of various mental disorders. Her work has helped to elucidate the complex interplay between genes and environmental factors in the etiology of these conditions.

Comorbidity

One of Merikangas's significant contributions is her research on the comorbidity of mental disorders. She has demonstrated that individuals with one mental disorder are at a higher risk of developing additional psychiatric conditions, highlighting the need for integrated treatment approaches.

Substance Use Disorders

Merikangas has also extensively studied substance use disorders, exploring the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to addiction. Her research has provided valuable insights into the prevention and treatment of these disorders.

Awards and Honors

Kathleen Merikangas has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the field of psychiatric epidemiology. These include the Rema Lapouse Award from the American Public Health Association and the Paul Hoch Award from the American Psychopathological Association.

Personal Life

Merikangas is married and has two children. She continues to be actively involved in research and mentoring young scientists in the field of psychiatric epidemiology.

See Also

• Epidemiology
• Mental health
• Genetic epidemiology
• Substance use disorder
• Comorbidity