Jessica Dennis

Assistant Professor

Research Classification

Bioinformatics
Genetic medicine

Research Interests

Administrative health data
Complex Trait Genetics
Electronic health records
Epidemiology
genetic epidemiology
Genetics of Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases
Machine Learning
Mental Health and Psychopathology in Children and Youth
Precision Health
statistical genetics

Relevant Degree Programs

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Affiliations to Research Centres, Institutes & Clusters

BC Children's Hospital Research Institute
The Social Exposome Cluster

Research Options

I am interested in and conduct interdisciplinary research.
 
 

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Recruitment

Master's students
Doctoral students
Postdoctoral Fellows
Any time / year round

The last decade has seen an unprecedented explosion of data. In medicine, data are increasingly being generated and linked across electronic health records, administrative databases, and biobanked samples. These resources hold tremendous promise for improving human health and achieving precision medicine, which will only be realized by thoughtful study designs and innovative analyses.

My lab uses novel computational methods grounded in genetic epidemiology and statistical genetics to capitalize on today’s big data resources. We aim to understand how genetic and epigenetic differences between people contribute to variation in disease susceptibility, response to treatment, and recovery. A primary goal of our research is to reduce the suffering associated with psychiatric disorders, many of which first manifest in childhood and adolescence. We conduct studies in large population datasets, with a major interest in electronic health records and biobanks, and we work at the intersection of genetics, epidemiology, statistics, bioinformatics, and computer science.

I support public scholarship, e.g. through the Public Scholars Initiative, and am available to supervise students and Postdocs interested in collaborating with external partners as part of their research.
I support experiential learning experiences, such as internships and work placements, for my graduate students and Postdocs.
I am open to hosting Visiting International Research Students (non-degree, up to 12 months).
I am interested in hiring Co-op students for research placements.

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Publications

Current Students & Alumni

This is a small sample of students and/or alumni that have been supervised by this researcher. It is not meant as a comprehensive list.

Emilie Théberge

Master of Science in Medical Genetics (MSc)

Research Topic
Investigating sex differences in the polygenic risk of major depressive disorder and shared associations with cardiovascular disease
 
Jessica Dennis's Profile
ORCID Profile
Other link
Supervision Enquiry

Membership Status

Member of G+PS
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Location

BC Children's Hospital

Program Affiliations

Medical Genetics
Bioinformatics
Genome Science and Technology

Department(s)

Department of Medical Genetics
 

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