# Research Training: Mental Health Behavior Genetics

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO · 2020 · $243,347

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
This proposal seeks continued support, via an institutional training grant, for a training program for pre and
postdoctoral fellows who will pursue research careers that focus on genetic influences on mental health
behavior genetics. The faculty, from the Institute for Behavioral Genetics (IBG) and collaborating units, is
distinguished and active in research, and IBG scientists are actively pursuing well-funded studies of genetic
influences on brain function and plasticity, psychological, cognitive and brain development directly relevant to
mental health, and psychiatric disorders. The application of biometrical, statistical, and quantitative genetic
techniques, together with bioinformatics, genome-wide analyses and next generation sequencing, and
epigenetics, is providing real advances in knowledge. Neuro-chemical, -pharmacological, -physiological, and
molecular genetic studies, are providing an understanding of gene function related to behavior. Since our last
application, we have added a major commitment to functional and structural brain imaging as a research tool
and have expanded our faculty and training program accordingly. Our research and training include the use of
large scale collaborative studies that are amassing DNA repositories and rich phenotypic data sets available
for studies of mental health. These include the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, for
which our training faculty are PIs of the twin study component, the Psychiatric Genetics Consortium, the UK
Biobank, and GSCAN, a genome wide study of over 1 million cases. IBG facilities are available for gene
function and expression studies, and behavioral, biochemical, and neurophysiological studies, and we are
actively pursuing animal model studies of the functional implications of genetic variation robustly associated
with phenotypes in the human population. To reflect the expanded need for training, particularly for genetics
expertise applied in the context of ABCD, brain imaging, translational research, and `big data' studies, funds
are requested to support 6 pre-doctoral and 2 postdoctoral trainees. Trainees will typically be supported for up
to 3 years. Pre-doctoral trainees receive doctorate degrees from a cooperating academic unit and certification
in behavior genetics. Academic requirements in the training program include training in behavior genetics,
quantitative and biometrical genetics, theoretical and computer-based statistics, molecular genetics,
neuroscience, bioinformatics and genomics, mandatory training in the responsible conduct of research, and
courses on behavioral, brain imaging, and clinical phenotypes. Additional requirements vary according to the
degree granting academic unit. Research is an integral part of training. Postdoctoral trainees also pursue a
formalized program that emphasizes individual research as well as competence in molecular and quantitative
behavior genetics. Other activities in preparation for research ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9934373
- **Project number:** 2T32MH016880-39
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
- **Principal Investigator:** JOHN K. HEWITT
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $243,347
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1989-07-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9934373

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9934373, Research Training: Mental Health Behavior Genetics (2T32MH016880-39). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9934373. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*