Prof Robin Murray
Sir Robin Murray is Professor of Psychiatric research at the Institute of Psychiatry and is concerned with finding the causes of psychosis, and improving its treatment. His early work challenged the prevailing view of schizophrenia as an adult-onset brain disease, instead demonstrating that it is in part a neurodevelopmental disorder. He and his colleagues have shown that that environmental factors such as obstetric events, childhood adversity, migration, and heavy cannabis use are all risk factors for psychosis. Robin is the most widely cited schizophrenia researcher outside the USA and was knighted by the Queen in 2011. He is one of only four psychiatrists ever to be elected to the UK Royal Society.
Dr Marta Di Forti
Marta Di Forti is a MRC clinical scientist working at the Institute of Psychiatry. Her work identified an increased risk of psychosis following use of high-potency cannabis, particularly in adolescence. The clinical population she cares for comprises young people suffering from their first episode of psychosis. Her clinical work plays a crucial role in informing and inspiring her academic interests. Marta currently researches the interaction between genes and cannabis in causing psychotic disorders and worsening the outcome.
Prof Daniele La Barbera
Daniele La Barbera is Full Professor of Psychiatry at Palermo University and the Chairmen of the Psychiatric Unit of Palermo University. His main areas of interests are psychosis, the relationship between substance abuse and psychiatric disorders, and the psychological features of new technologies. He coordinated the Sicilian Psychosis and Genetic Study (SGAP) an incidence and a case control on first episode psychotic patients.
Dr Anton Grech
Dr. Anton Grech was born on 16 November 1967 in Gozo, Malta. He graduated as Doctor of Medicine from the University of Malta in 1992. He became a Member of the Royal college of Psychiatrists, UK, in 1997, and he became a Fellow of the same college in 2011. In 1999 he obtained an M.Sc. in Psychiatry from King’s College, University of London. He trained and worked at the Maudsley Hospital in London, between 1994 and 1998. During 1998 he was also a Clinical-Academic Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College, University of London. Between 1999 and 2002 he was Honorary Researcher within the same Department. In 1999 he proceeded to Malta, where he was Senior Registrar in Psychiatry until 2003, when he was appointed Consultant Psychiatrist with a special interest in Addictions and Neuropsychiatry. In 2000 he was appointed Lecturer in Department of Psychiatry of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Malta, and in 2008 he was appointed as Senior Lecturer within the same Department. In 2011 he was appointed as Senior Research Fellow in the Bedfordshire Centre for Mental Health Research in association with the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. In 2011 he was also appointed as Clinical Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry in the Ministry of Health, Malta. His main research is on the aetiology of schizophrenia, and it was based at the Institute of Psychiatry London and at the University of Malta. He has published in international psychiatric journals, and presented and chaired in international psychiatric conferences. In 2008 he was chosen as one of the 30 European Scientists to be featured in the book ‘Portraits of Science; Scientists of Tomorrow’, published by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, to commemorate its 30 th anniversary. In 2013 he was appointed Chairman of 'Fundazzjoni Kenn Ghal Sahhtek', a foundation in collaboration between Community Chest Fund and the Government of Malta. He is a member of various national boards and commissions. He believes a lot in using the media to educate on mental health, and for the last years in Malta he conducted radio and TV programmes on issues related to mental health.
Prof Pak Sham
Prof. Pak Sham is a world renowned expert in genetics and epidemiology of psychiatric disorders, statistical methodology for genetic and epidemiological studies. He is currently Chair Professor of Psychiatric Genomics, Director of Centre for Genomic Sciences and holds a named professorship as Suen Chi-Sun Professor of Clinical Science. In his early career, he was dually trained as specialist in psychiatry with The Royal College of Psychiatrists and PhD in Genetics at University of Cambridge. Being one of the most frequently cited scholar in psychiatric genetics, he authored more than 400 peer-reviewed articles and the internationally acclaimed book entitled “Statistics in Human Genetics” (Edward Arnold, London 1998).
Prof David Taylor
David Taylor is Director of Pharmacy and Pathology at the Maudsley Hospital and Professor of Psychopharmacology. In 2014, David was ranked in the top 100 clinical leaders in the NHS by the Health Service Journal. David is the Editor-in-Chief of the journal Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology. David was a member of the UK Department of Transport expert panel that introduced drug-driving regulation. He is currently a member of the UK government’s Advisory Council on Misuse of Drugs. He has formally contributed to five NICE Guidelines. Professor Taylor has been the lead author of the Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines since their inception in 1993. The Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines have sold over 300,000 copies in thirteen editions and twelve languages. David has also authored over 300 clinical papers in journals such as the Lancet, BMJ, British Journal of Psychiatry and Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. These papers have been cited over 13,000 times. Professor Taylor has an H Index of 58.
Dr Lucia Valmaggia
I am a Reader in Clinical Psychology and Digital Mental Health at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, KCL where I lead the Virtual Reality Lab,and I am a Honorary Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust. I am the incoming President of the IEPA-Early Intervention in Mental Health Association.
In my career to date I have sought to conduct research, which is clinically relevant and directly applicable to the delivery of clinical services. My work has focused on the prevention and early detection of mental health problems, in particular psychosis. I have extensive experience in service implementation in the community and I set up the first service for prevention and early detection of psychosis in a prison setting. I conduct experimental studies using virtual reality to explore the effects of adverse life experiences on the appraisal of social situations. I lead clinical studies to evaluate virtual reality assisted assessment and treatment.
In my career to date I have sought to conduct research, which is clinically relevant and directly applicable to the delivery of clinical services. My work has focused on the prevention and early detection of mental health problems, in particular psychosis. I have extensive experience in service implementation in the community and I set up the first service for prevention and early detection of psychosis in a prison setting. I conduct experimental studies using virtual reality to explore the effects of adverse life experiences on the appraisal of social situations. I lead clinical studies to evaluate virtual reality assisted assessment and treatment.
Prof Ulrike Schmidt
Professor Schmidt has been with the IoPPN since 2001, and is Head of Section of Eating Disorders, as well as a Consultant Psychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. She is also a fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders. Her research interests are guided by the questions that she comes across in her clinical work as a Consultant Psychiatrist in the Eating Disorders Unit at the Maudsley.
As a junior doctor, Professor Schmidt wrote the first cognitive behavioural self-care book for people with bulimia. They then carried out trials which showed that with minimal guidance this works as well as specialist treatment. At the time, this approach was seen as an oddity, whereas now this evidence-based self-help approach is very widely used.
Recently, Professor Schmidt led to completion a large programme treatments for people with anorexia nervosa.
As a junior doctor, Professor Schmidt wrote the first cognitive behavioural self-care book for people with bulimia. They then carried out trials which showed that with minimal guidance this works as well as specialist treatment. At the time, this approach was seen as an oddity, whereas now this evidence-based self-help approach is very widely used.
Recently, Professor Schmidt led to completion a large programme treatments for people with anorexia nervosa.
Prof Russell Foster
Russell Foster is Professor of Circadian Neuroscience and the Head of Department of Ophthalmology. He is also a Nicholas Kurti Senior Fellow at Brasenose College. Prior to this, Russell was at Imperial College where Russell was Chair of Molecular Neuroscience within the Faculty of Medicine. Russell Foster’s research spans basic and applied circadian and photoreceptor biology.
He received his education at the University of Bristol under the supervision of Professor Sir Brian Follett. from 1988–1995 he was a member of the National Science Foundation Center for Biological Rhythms at the University of Virginia and worked closely with Michael Menaker. In 1995 he returned to the UK and established his group at Imperial College. For his discovery of non-rod, non-cone ocular photoreceptors he has been awarded the Honma prize (Japan), Cogan award (USA), and Zoological Society Scientific & Edride-Green Medals (UK). He is the co-author of “Rhythms of Life” a popular science book on circadian rhythms.
"My research interests span both visual and circadian neurobiology with the main focus on the mechanisms whereby light regulates vertebrate circadian rhythms.
All life on earth has evolved under a rhythmically changing cycle of light and darkness, and organisms from single-celled bacteria up to man possess an internal representation of time. These 24 hour cycles, termed circadian rhythms, persist in the absence of external cues, and provide a means of anticipating changes in the environment rather than passively responding to them. In mammals, including man, light provides the critical input to the circadian system, synchronising the body clock to prevailing conditions. The photoreceptors providing this input are found in the retina, consisting of the classical rods and cones which enable image-formation, as well as a recently identified subset of photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (pRGCs).
The research interests of our group range across the neurosciences but with specific interests in circadian, visual and behavioural neuroscience. This covers such topics as how circadian rhythms are generated, the diverse functions these rhythms serve, how this system is regulated by light, the role of classical and novel photoreceptors in both visual and circadian light perception, and genetic disorders of these systems. This work includes a range of molecular, cellular, anatomical and behavioural aspects, as well as addressing the implications for human performance, productivity and health."
He received his education at the University of Bristol under the supervision of Professor Sir Brian Follett. from 1988–1995 he was a member of the National Science Foundation Center for Biological Rhythms at the University of Virginia and worked closely with Michael Menaker. In 1995 he returned to the UK and established his group at Imperial College. For his discovery of non-rod, non-cone ocular photoreceptors he has been awarded the Honma prize (Japan), Cogan award (USA), and Zoological Society Scientific & Edride-Green Medals (UK). He is the co-author of “Rhythms of Life” a popular science book on circadian rhythms.
"My research interests span both visual and circadian neurobiology with the main focus on the mechanisms whereby light regulates vertebrate circadian rhythms.
All life on earth has evolved under a rhythmically changing cycle of light and darkness, and organisms from single-celled bacteria up to man possess an internal representation of time. These 24 hour cycles, termed circadian rhythms, persist in the absence of external cues, and provide a means of anticipating changes in the environment rather than passively responding to them. In mammals, including man, light provides the critical input to the circadian system, synchronising the body clock to prevailing conditions. The photoreceptors providing this input are found in the retina, consisting of the classical rods and cones which enable image-formation, as well as a recently identified subset of photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (pRGCs).
The research interests of our group range across the neurosciences but with specific interests in circadian, visual and behavioural neuroscience. This covers such topics as how circadian rhythms are generated, the diverse functions these rhythms serve, how this system is regulated by light, the role of classical and novel photoreceptors in both visual and circadian light perception, and genetic disorders of these systems. This work includes a range of molecular, cellular, anatomical and behavioural aspects, as well as addressing the implications for human performance, productivity and health."
Dr Graham Murray
Dr Graham Murray is a University Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute at University of Cambridge. He studied Physics and Philosophy at Oxford, Medicine at King’s College London, and postgraduate psychiatry in Cambridge. He has a doctorate in cognitive epidemiology from University of Oulu in Finland, and a doctorate in cognitive neuroscience from University of London. In his clinical work Dr Murray is Consultant Psychiatrist in the Cambridge early psychosis service, CAMEO. He draws on a variety of research methods, including brain imaging, population neuroscience, psychopharmacology, and computational psychiatry. His current research is focused on delineating the causal pathways from schizophrenia risk factors to pathophysiology, and elucidating the brain mechanisms of delusions and hallucinations.
Dr Evangelos Vassos
Dr Evangelos Vassos is a practicing Consultant Psychiatrist in Oxford Health NHS Trust and a Senior Clinical Research Fellow at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neurosciences, King’s College London, UK. He holds a Medical Degree and a Doctorate of Philosophy from the Medical School of the University of Athens, Greece and he trained in psychiatry in Oxford UK.
Dr Vassos is investigating the genetic underpinnings of psychosis. His current work is focused on the development and validation of risk estimation models for psychosis based on genetic and environmental risk factors. He has performed genome-wide association analysis and polygenic score analysis in samples of individuals with first episode psychosis and prodromal psychotic symptoms. He has extensive experience in genetic association studies of candidate genes for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, genetic epidemiology studies measuring familiality/heritability of dimensions of psychosis, and genotype-phenotype correlations in Huntington’s disease.
Dr Vassos is a member of a number of professional and learned societies, including the Schizophrenia International Research Society and the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics as well as the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. He particularly enjoys lecturing in MSc courses and supervising trainee psychiatrists, MSc and PhD students.
Dr Vassos is investigating the genetic underpinnings of psychosis. His current work is focused on the development and validation of risk estimation models for psychosis based on genetic and environmental risk factors. He has performed genome-wide association analysis and polygenic score analysis in samples of individuals with first episode psychosis and prodromal psychotic symptoms. He has extensive experience in genetic association studies of candidate genes for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, genetic epidemiology studies measuring familiality/heritability of dimensions of psychosis, and genotype-phenotype correlations in Huntington’s disease.
Dr Vassos is a member of a number of professional and learned societies, including the Schizophrenia International Research Society and the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics as well as the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. He particularly enjoys lecturing in MSc courses and supervising trainee psychiatrists, MSc and PhD students.
Dr Diego Quattrone
Dr Diego Quattrone is a Brain fellow and a psychiatrist working at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, and at the National Psychosis Unit, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
His research has been focusing on how the psychosis expression is modified by cannabis use and polygenic liability to schizophrenia.
Currently, Diego is examining whether and how common allele variants within the endocannabinoid system contribute to the heterogeneity in the psychosis continuum.
His research has been focusing on how the psychosis expression is modified by cannabis use and polygenic liability to schizophrenia.
Currently, Diego is examining whether and how common allele variants within the endocannabinoid system contribute to the heterogeneity in the psychosis continuum.
Dr Emma Jayne Kilford
Dr Emma Jayne Kilford carried out her PhD research at the UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience under the supervision of Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore and Dr Vaughan Bell. Her PhD research examined the development of cognitive control and its integration with social cognitive and motivational-affective processing during adolescence, using a combination of genetic, cognitive and computational research techniques.
After completing her PhD, Emma worked as a postdoctoral research associate on the project '”Developing a scalable treatment for depression in rural South Africa', funded by a GCRF Global Impact Acceleration Award. This project formed part of a larger, on-going MRC-funded project titled “Digital delivery of Behavioural Activation to overcome depression and facilitate social and economic transitions of adolescents in LMICs (DoBat)”.
Emma is a currently working as a postdoctoral research fellow at the UCL Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology on a translational research project titled “Treating depression with self-compassion in virtual reality”, funded by a NIHR i4i Mental Health Challenge Award. She also remains an active member of the DoBat research team – a multidisciplinary group of psychologists, psychiatrists, neuroscientists and economists from South Africa, Uganda, the UK (University of Oxford, University of Exeter, Cambridge, UCL and the USA (University of California, Los Angeles, UCLA).
After completing her PhD, Emma worked as a postdoctoral research associate on the project '”Developing a scalable treatment for depression in rural South Africa', funded by a GCRF Global Impact Acceleration Award. This project formed part of a larger, on-going MRC-funded project titled “Digital delivery of Behavioural Activation to overcome depression and facilitate social and economic transitions of adolescents in LMICs (DoBat)”.
Emma is a currently working as a postdoctoral research fellow at the UCL Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology on a translational research project titled “Treating depression with self-compassion in virtual reality”, funded by a NIHR i4i Mental Health Challenge Award. She also remains an active member of the DoBat research team – a multidisciplinary group of psychologists, psychiatrists, neuroscientists and economists from South Africa, Uganda, the UK (University of Oxford, University of Exeter, Cambridge, UCL and the USA (University of California, Los Angeles, UCLA).
Dr Anto Ingrassia
Dr Anto Ingrassia is a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist systemic psychotherapist with South London and Maudsley, currently working within Croydon CAMHS. Until recently, she was the Clinical Lead for the Children and Young People’s Health Partnership, a large scale transformation programme aiming to improve child health through integration of physical and mental health, with an emphasis on contextual factors including schools and communities.
Dr Ingrassia has wide experience of leadership, management and organizational development; she was elected to Fellowship of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2016. She was the winner of a KCL Mind and Body Champions award in November 2019.
Dr Ingrassia is an experienced educator and has held several postgraduate educational roles, including that of Director of Medical Education. She is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Dr Ingrassia has wide experience of leadership, management and organizational development; she was elected to Fellowship of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2016. She was the winner of a KCL Mind and Body Champions award in November 2019.
Dr Ingrassia is an experienced educator and has held several postgraduate educational roles, including that of Director of Medical Education. She is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Dr Caterina (Erika) La Cascia
Caterina La Cascia (Erika), is a clinical psychologist, PhD in neuroscience and behavioral disorders, and assistant professor at Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neuroscience in University of Palermo. She works also as a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist at Unit of Psychiatric of University Hospital of Palermo. Her main interest in research is in Psychosis, particularly in use of cannabis and psychosis onset, and in psychiatric rehabilitation.
Dr Laura Ferraro
Laura Ferraro is a PhD in Clinical Medicine and Behavioural Sciences and a Psychologist and Cognitive Psychotherapist. She has been working in the research field until July 2009 when she started her four-years research fellowship grant in schizophrenia research at University of Palermo, where she is currently working as a teacher. She is interested in psychosis, particularly in cannabis use, cognition, and premorbid adjustment.
Dr Giada Tripoli
Giada Tripoli, MSc in clinical psychology from University of Palermo, is currently a Ph.D. student at the Department of Psychosis Studies at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN) - King’s College London.
Her research is focused on cognition and social cognition as intermediate phenotypes of Psychosis and their association with cannabis use.
Her research is focused on cognition and social cognition as intermediate phenotypes of Psychosis and their association with cannabis use.
Dr Giuseppe Maniaci
Giuseppe Maniaci is a PhD in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, a Clinical Psychologist and a Psychotherapist. He works at the Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neuroscience at University of Palermo. His main research fields concern the assessment and treatment of gambling disorder, the association between unhealthy lifestyles and psychiatric disorders and the evaluation of the outcome of psychological therapies.
