The workgroup charter is to study the interface between genetic research and the hierarchical structure of psychopathology dimensions. The overarching goal is to investigate how dimensional structural models such as HiTOP dovetail with our existing understanding of the transdiagnostic genetic architecture of psychopathology, and how quantitative and hierarchically organized phenotypes can facilitate future psychiatric genetic research. The scope spans both quantitative (i.e. twin and adoption studies) and molecular genetics research, including downstream genomic processes such as epigenetics and gene expression. The workgroup will aim to establish close collaborations with external researchers, consortia and datasets in the field of psychiatric and behavioral genetics.
Katherine Jonas & Monika Waszczuk
Jonas (left), Waszczuk (right)
Alexander J. Shackman
Anna Docherty
Ashley Watts
Aurina Arnatkeviciute
Avram Holmes
Avshalom Caspi
Benjamin B. Lahey
Bob Krueger
Brooke Sasia
Christal Davis
Danielle Dick
David Zald
Elizabeth Aslinger
Frances Wang
Frank Mann
Georgina Krebs
Giorgia Michelini
Irwin D. Waldman
J.D. Haltigan
James Li
Jeggan Tiego
Jennifer L. Tackett
Johan Ormel
John M Hettema
Jonathan Schaefer
Justin Luningham
Justin Tubbs
Kristian Markon
Marina Bornovalova
Mark Bellgrove
Natalie Goulter
Nicholas Hoy
Roman Kotov
Simona Scaini
Susan C. South
Sylia Wilson
Waszczuk, M. A.*, Jonas, K. G.*, Bornovalova, M.,Breen, G., Bulik, C., Docherty, A., Eley, T. C., Hettema, J. M., Kotov,R., Krueger, R., Lencz, T., Li, J. J., Vassos, E., Waldman, I. (in press). Dimensional and Transdiagnostic Approaches in Psychiatric Genome-wide Association Studies. Molecular Psychiatry. Preprint * denotes joint first authors
Waszczuk, M. A., Eaton, N. R., Krueger, R. F., Shackman, A. J., Waldman, I. D., Zald, D. H., Lahey, B. B., Patrick, C. J., Conway, C. C., Ormel, J., Hyman, S. E., Robinson, E. B., Fried, E. I., Forbes, M. K., Althoff, R. R., Bach, B., Chmielewski, M., de Young, C. G., Docherty, A., Forbush, K. T., Hallquist, M., Hopwood, C. J., Ivanova, M., Jonas, K. G., Latzman, R. D., Markon, K. E., Mullins-Sweatt, S. N., Pincus, A. L., Reininghaus, U., South, S. C., Tackett, J. L., Watson, D., Wright, A. G. C., Kotov, R. (2020). Redefining phenotypes to advance psychiatric genetics: Implications from Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 129, 143–161. Full text
Please reach out to Katherine and Monika if you are interested in getting involved.
Poore, H.E., Chatzinakos, C., Leger, B. et al. (2026). Multivariate genetic analyses of 2.2 million individuals reveal broad and substance-specific pathways of addiction risk. Nat. Mental Health 4, 582–593. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-026-00608-6
Dong, L., Sasia, A., & Li, J. (2026). Gene-Environment Interplay Beyond Interactions: Psychosocial Environments Mediate Genetic Effects Underlying Externalizing Behavior Trajectories. Clinical Psychological Science. doi.org/10.1177/21677026261447280
Choi, M., Poore, H. E., Brislin, S. J., Barr, P. B., Aliev, F., Zellers, S., ... & COGA Collaborators. (2025). Associations Between a Genetic Liability Toward Externalizing and Behavioral Outcomes Spanning Toddlerhood Through Early Adulthood in Five Developmental Cohorts. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
Ruggero, C., Jonas, K. G., Busso, C. B., Lian, W., Docherty, A., Shabalin, A., Carlson, G., Bromet, E., Kotov, R. (2025). Where is Mania in the Meta-structure of Psychopathology? Psychological Medicine, 55, e342.
Sasia AB, Jonas KG, Waszczuk MA, Li JJ. (2025). Associations of polygenic scores and developmental trajectories of externalizing behaviors. Dev Psychopathol. Jan 31:1-15.
Waszczuk, M. A. (2026). Genetic Evidence for Personality in a Hierarchical Model of Psychopathology. In Hopwood, C. & Sharp, C. (Eds.) Dimensional Diagnosis: Practical and Conceptual Issues in the Integration of Personality and Psychopathology. Guilford Publications.
Poore, H.E. & Waldman, I.D. (2026). Exploring the shared genetic architecture between psychopathology and personality. In Hopwood, C. & Sharp, C. (Eds.) Dimensional Diagnosis: Practical and Conceptual Issues in the Integration of Personality and Psychopathology. Guilford Publications.
