Research Opportunities for Students and Trainees

 

The Clinical Genetics Research Program (CGRP) is an internationally renowned clinical research program directed by Dr. Anne Bassett, Canada Research Chair in Schizophrenia Genetics.  The main aims of research at CGRP are to determine genetic factors responsible for schizophrenia and related conditions, in order to understand the pathophysiology of these complex disorders.  The focus at CGRP is on genetic subtypes of schizophrenia, including inherited (familial) forms of Schizophrenia and genetic syndromes with behavioural phenotypes, particularly 22q11 Deletion Syndrome.  We also investigate other genetic conditions associated with other psychiatric disorders and behavioural phenotypes.  Located at the Queen Street Site of CAMH, a University of Toronto teaching hospital, CGRP has clinical research opportunities (electives, selectives, summer studentships, graduate degree programs, fellowships) for students and trainees at all levels.  For those with a clinical background, clinical experience in psychiatric genetics may also be arranged through the adjacent Clinical Genetics Service.

 

Main areas of research

 

• Familial schizophrenia
• Genetic syndromes associated with schizophrenia
• Adults and children with 22q11 Deletion Syndrome

Potential areas of clinical research:

 

• All aspects of phenotypic expression

• Neurobehavioural

• Psychiatric disorders, including psychotic illnesses, depression, anxiety, and childhood disorders

• Neurobehavioural signs and symptoms

• MRI brain imaging

• Neurocognition

• Congenital and later onset physical conditions, e.g., CHD, hypoparathyroidism, hypocalcemia, hearing impairment, dermatologic, GI, surgical complications

• Risk for major psychotic disorders, including genetic and non-genetic factors

• Identifying genetic syndromes in adults

• Genetic epidemiology

• Physical illnesses, including birth defects and later onset conditions that may lead to detection of genetic syndromes and/or have an important impact on prevention and management

• All specialties, e.g., medical genetics, endocrinology, cardiology, ENT, neurology, surgery

• Minor physical anomalies (dysmorphic features) that may lead to detection of genetic syndromes in adults

• Family history and pedigree analysis

• Genetic counselling

• Ethical issues in genetics

• Education, including implementing continuing education for health and other professionals and public education

Note:  The CGRP has no wet lab 
(wet lab research is conducted at colleagues’ labs or is outsourced)

 

What do CGRP students and trainees do?

• Obtain new clinical data

• Analyse available data

• Supplement existing data

• Review medical records

• Perform direct assessments (given adequate background, training and skill level)

• Present results at local and international meetings

• Write papers: case reports, case series, original research

• Some teach

• Some receive their own grant support

• Some receive awards

 What do CGRP students and trainees bring?

• Interest, aptitude and skills

What sort of students and trainees?

• Undergraduate students registered in research or thesis courses
• Medical students (through Faculty of Medicine or the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto) including visiting studentships
• Residents in any specialty, including psychiatry, genetics, cardiology, endocrinology, ENT or family medicine)
• Graduate students (affiliated with the School of Graduate Studies or the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto)
• Postdoctoral fellows (PhD or MD, through the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto)
• Genetic counselling students

If interested in becoming a part of our team, forward your curriculum vitae and transcripts to:

Clinical Genetics Research Program
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Queen Street Site
1001 Queen Street West
Toronto, Ontario M6J 1H4
Canada 
Fax: (416) 535-7199
Email:   info@cgrp.ca

.