The Initiative in Social Genomics is one of six successful proposals in the first round of Cluster Hires at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The aim is for UW to become home to the largest and most innovative group of researchers pursuing topics in Social Genomics in the world. The Initiative in Social Genomics is one example of efforts being made on campus to expand research into genomics. Additionally, in the fall of 2018, the University also opened the Center for Human Genomics and Precision Medicine.
As part of the new Cluster Hiring Initiative in Social Genomics, an interdisciplinary group of scholars is hiring three new tenure-track faculty members, all with appointments in relevant home departments, with expertise and interests in Social Genomics, defined as a field of research that integrates theories, data, and methods across the social, health, and genetic sciences.
These areas of interest are broadly characterized in three new tenure-track faculty searches in Social Genomics. Lauren Schmitz joined UW in fall 2019 for the “Gene-Environment Interplay and/or Epigenetics” position. We have a faculty offer pending in the “Computational Approaches to Social Genomics” position.
We are currently seeking applications for our “Implications of Social Genomics for Social and Public Policy” position.
Computational Approaches to Social Genomics *HIRE PENDING*
The successful candidate will be expected to develop and maintain a vigorous, cutting-edge, highly visible research program that specializes in data integration from genomic and social science sources with a focus on statistical and computational approaches to genetic prediction (genetic risk scores/polygenic scores) and/or the application of these scores to answering social/health science questions. Candidates who focus solely on genetic discovery approaches are not responsive to this search.
Implications of Social Genomics for Social and Public Policy
The successful candidate will be expected to develop and maintain a vigorous, cutting-edge, highly visible research program that specializes in integrating genomic and social/health science data, methods, and theories in pursuit of answering questions relevant to social and public policy. Candidates who do not integrate genomic data in their research are not responsive to this search.
Social Genomics: Faculty
Corinne D. Engelman
Associate Professor, Population Health Sciences
Research Interests
Aging and the Life Course, Impacts of Place on Aging Processes, and Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
Jason Fletcher
Professor, Public Affairs and Sociology
Research Interests
Aging and the Life Course, Biodemography, Determinants of Disparities of Aging Trajectories, Health Economics and Health Services Research, and Impacts of Place on Aging Processes
Hyunseung Kang
Assistant Professor, Statistics
Research interests
Biodemography, Health Economics and Health Services Research, and Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
Qiongshi Lu
Assistant Professor, Biostatistics & Medical Informatics
Research Interests
Biodemography
Lauren Schmitz
Assistant Professor, Public Affairs
Research Interests
Biodemography, Health Economics and Health Services Research
https://www.lafollette.wisc.edu/faculty-staff/faculty/lauren-schmitz
Social Genomics: Students
Current Projects
- Robust Mendellian Randomization Methods to Identify Causal Risk Factors for Alzheimer's Disease
- Applying Biodemography Methods to Advance Our Understanding of Socioeconomic Risk Factors for Alzheimer's Disease
- Researching Epigenetics, Weathering, Aging, & Residential Disadvantage (REWARD)
- Testing Gene-environment Interactions without Measuring the Environmental Factor
Selected Publications
Fine-tuning Polygenic Risk Scores with GWAS Summary Statistics. Zijie Zhao, Yanyao Yi, Yuchang Wu, Xiaoyuan Zhong, Yupei Lin, Timothy J. Hohman, Jason Fletcher, Qiongshi Lu
Genome-wide association study reveals sex-specific genetic architecture of facial attractiveness. Bowen Hu, Ning Shen, James J. Li, Hyunseung Kang, Jinkuk Hong, Jason Fletcher, Jan Greenberg, Marsha R. Mailick, Qiongshi Lu
Detecting Local Genetic Correlations with Scan Statistics.
Decoupling Genetics from Attainments: The Role of Social Environments. Jason Fletcher
Separating Measured Genetic and Environmental Effects: Evidence Linking Parental Genotype and Adopted Child Outcomes. Ben Domingue, Jason Fletcher
The positive end of the polygenic score distribution for ADHD: a low risk or a protective factor? James J. Li
Examining sex differences in pleiotropic effects for depression and smoking using polygenic and gene‐region aggregation techniques. Lauren L. Schmitz, Arianna M. Gard, Erin B. Ware