Laura M Huckins, PhD
- ASSISTANT PROFESSOR | Genetics and Genomic Sciences
- ASSISTANT PROFESSOR | Psychiatry
Research Topics:
Behavioral Health, Bioinformatics, Depression, Developmental Neurobiology, Epigenetics, Epigenomics, Gene Expressions, Gene Regulation, Genetics, Neurobiology, OCD, Psychiatry, Schizophrenia, SynapsesOur over-arching goal is to develop and apply complex statistical algorithms to probe the genetic, epigenetic, and higher-level multi-omic basis of understudied psychiatric disorders and trajectories. We will focus on historically under-studied and vulnerable populations, with an emphasis anorexia nervosa (AN) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following interpersonal violence and sexual assault. The purpose of our research is ultimately to help understand psychiatric disorders. We hope that our results will lead to a deeper understanding of neurobiology; better treatments and medications; more effective, appropriate and timely interventions; and a relief of the shame, blame, guilt and fear surrounding poorly understood diagnoses.
We will achieve these goals by asking thoughtful, nuanced questions. We will answer these questions by designing and applying statistical algorithms. These algorithms will encoporate multi-layered data, tying together variation in the genome, transcriptome, epigenome, microbiome, and population phenome.
Education
MEng First Class, Imperial College London
PhD, University of Cambridge
Postdoctoral, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device and biotechnology companies to improve patient care, develop new therapies and achieve scientific breakthroughs. In order to promote an ethical and transparent environment for conducting research, providing clinical care and teaching, Mount Sinai requires that salaried faculty inform the School of their relationships with such companies.
Dr. Huckins did not report having any of the following types of financial relationships with industry during 2020 and/or 2021: consulting, scientific advisory board, industry-sponsored lectures, service on Board of Directors, participation on industry-sponsored committees, equity ownership valued at greater than 5% of a publicly traded company or any value in a privately held company. Please note that this information may differ from information posted on corporate sites due to timing or classification differences.
Mount Sinai's faculty policies relating to faculty collaboration with industry are posted on our website. Patients may wish to ask their physician about the activities they perform for companies.