Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry

Chi-Fa
Taiwan
Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry MSc
After working as a psychiatrist for nearly ten years, I felt a need to increase my knowledge in order to better help people with mental illness. I decided that conducting research in order to solve clinical problems would be the best way to attain this goal. I knew that a number of senior psychiatrists in Taiwan had completed their PhD at the IoP and enjoyed a successful academic career afterwards so I decided that this was the place for me. As I am particularly interested in genetic study, I decided to pursue the 1 +3 programme in the Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry department (SGDP).

The SGDP provides a variety of teaching and research activities for staff and students which has really helped me to progress in my study. I would say the best thing about the SGDP is my supervisors - they are always encouraging and helpful, instilling hope and confidence even at times when I feel I am struggling.

After finishing my PhD study, I hope to become a physician scientist in my hospital so I can spend more time on research. I also hope to keep connection with the staff in SGDP so we can collaborate on various projects.

Liz
Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry MSc
Having completed an MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience, I was looking for PhD opportunities in London. The reputation of the Institute of Psychiatry as a world centre for psychiatric research attracted me to it, particularly the interdisciplinary 1+3 programme at the Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP) Centre. During the first year I broadened my outlook and gained valuable research experience, and I now have a sense of direction and confidence embarking on my three-year PhD.



The atmosphere at the SGDP Centre is a key part of the success of its students. Students are not isolated in small research groups, but mix with students across disciplines. This large social network is unique, and creates a dynamic, sociable atmosphere where students are supportive of each other rather than competitive.



As well as departmental seminars and talks, I am extremely fortunate to have access to the network of developmental cognitive neuroscientists across London. My supervisors’ impressive network of contacts has already afforded me the opportunity to collaborate on a functional imaging project with scientists from UCL.



The Institute of Psychiatry is located just 15 minutes from London Bridge, and 10 minutes from Victoria by train. The SGDP building itself was constructed recently and is extremely spacious and bright, with ‘interactive areas’ on each floor where students eat lunch and chat. Being in London means there are always opportunities for seeing new sights or going to new places.

Robert
Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry MSc
I had a great experience with several internships at the SGDP prior to applying for the 1+3 programme. These were split across several different research groups and included patient recruitment, lab work (genetics, epigenetics, and proteomics), and statistical analysis. I really enjoyed being involved in these varied projects and that they were all taking place under the same roof, in dialogue with each other.

What really stands out at the SGDP is the social and collaborative atmosphere, which occurs on many levels. Students take classes together in their first year and all have offices on the same floor, which makes it a very social and friendly place to study. It also means that students researching different areas of psychiatry, psychology, neuroimaging, and genetics are in constant contact, which helps to broaden your exposure to research without it seeming forced. Students and staff alike are always keen to get involved in collaborative projects, whether small or large, allowing students to explore areas of interest outside those strictly relevant to their PhD. The PhD itself is usually very independent, driven by the student's own ideas and interests. Lastly, the collaboration often extends beyond the Centre, allowing for research and conference opportunities abroad. All in all, it's a great place to work!

There seem to be lots of opportunities for students after they graduate. Originally I was keen to go into business, specifically pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, however after enjoying my PhD experience so much I'm now considering a more academic route. So I'll probably apply for fellowships and post-docs after my PhD.

Ruth
Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry MSc
My BSc training in Experimental Psychology, MSc training in Psychological Research Methods and applied work experience inspired me to carry out research in the field of atypical development and its associated disorders. Studying at the SGDP centre has given me the opportunity to understand the influence of nature-nurture interactions on such complex disorders, placing me in an excellent position to work collaboratively within the interdisciplinary environment at the centre.

The MSc year covers a broad range of subjects from statistical genetics to psychopathology, taught by leading researchers in the field. The environment at the SGDP centre provides me with the resources to explore the pathways between cognitive processes and psychiatric disorders using a range of techniques including electroencephalography (EEG). Another key feature of the SGDP is its link to the Maudsley Hospital, which enables students to access patient groups for research.

As a student at the IoP I have access to numerous departmental seminars and talks delivered by experts in the field and the wide ranging research projects and data-sets held at the Institute have afforded me the opportunity to work in diverse research areas. Alongside my main PhD project for example, I’ve been able to work on a longitudinal study of medication effects in adult ADHD.

After my PhD I would like to gain a post-doctoral position in a related field and continue a career in research.

Dr Jonna Kuntsi
Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry MSc
At the MRC Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre (SGDP) we run a unique four-year PhD training programme, which includes a taught component in the first year (after which an MSc is awarded). The training that the students receive as part of this programme strongly reflects the interdisciplinary, collaborative approach of the Centre that covers genetic, epigenetic, social, developmental and cognitive approaches to psychiatry and psychology. The students benefit from the Centre’s cutting-edge research facilities that include extensive modern laboratories with state-of-the art genomics equipment, an EEG laboratory, bioinformatics resources, and a high-powered computing cluster.



Research at the Centre focuses on complex behavioural disorders and dimensions, such as antisocial behaviour, anxiety, autism, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disorders. My own research illustrates the opportunities that arise in such a unique, collaborative environment, in that we have been able to combine quantitative genetic, molecular genetic, cognitive, electrophysiological, fMRI and developmental approaches to studying intermediate phenotypes and developmental pathways in ADHD and co-occurring disorders from childhood to adulthood. We study both ADHD as a clinical diagnosis and ADHD symptoms in population samples. I collaborate closely with several Centre colleagues – for example with Professor Philip Asherson, who brings expertise on clinical and genetic aspects of ADHD; with Dr Fruhling Rijsdijk, who brings expertise on statistical genetics; and with Dr Grainne McLoughlin, who brings expertise on electrophysiological research on ADHD and other developmental disorders.



The SGDP Centre was described in the RAE 2008 as providing a "world leading" environment for research, and we work hard to ensure that our students fully benefit from this unique environment throughout their training.