Overview
Background
I am a genetic epidemiologist specialising in the genetics of neurodegenerative diseases, with a particular focus on Parkinson’s disease, chronic pain, and other age-related conditions. I lead a dynamic team of scientists dedicated to understanding how genetic and environmental factors influence neurodegeneration, brain health, and related health outcomes. My research is interdisciplinary, integrating advanced statistical genetics, bioinformatics, and data science to unravel disease mechanisms, improve patient stratification, and identify potential therapeutic targets.
In 2020, I founded the Australian Parkinson’s Genetics Study (APGS), now the largest Parkinson’s cohort in Australia with over 10,000 participants. This landmark study has positioned Australia as a key contributor to global Parkinson’s genetics research. I am also actively involved in the Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program (GP2), where I contribute to large-scale data analysis and work within the underrepresented populations working group to enhance diversity in genetic research worldwide.
Committed to training the next generation of researchers, I have supervised over 16 students, including several PhD candidates who have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry. Two of my recent PhD graduates received the Outstanding Thesis Award, and another received the AIPS Florey Next Generation Award.
I have published consistently in prominent journals, including Nature, Nature Genetics, Nature Communications, BRAIN, Biological Psychiatry, and SLEEP. To date, I have authored over 100 academic articles, which have been widely cited, and I have secured competitive funding from NHMRC, MRFF, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Shake It Up Australia Foundation, the US National Institutes of Health, and the Alzheimer’s Association. My work has been recognised with several prestigious awards, including the 2023 Al & Val Rosenstrauss Fellowship from the Rebecca L Cooper Medical Research Foundation, the 2021 Enrico Greppi International Migraine Research Award, and the 2024 Adele Green Emerging Leader Award from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. I am also a Global Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health, a program by the University of California San Francisco and Trinity College Dublin, which supports my commitment to promoting brain health equity worldwide.
Availability
- Associate Professor Miguel Rentería is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Genomics, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)
- Doctor of Philosophy of Genetics, The University of Queensland
- Masters (Coursework) of Public Policy, University of Oxford
Works
Search Professor Miguel Rentería’s works on UQ eSpace
2018
Conference Publication
E-mental health transdiagnostic stratification: A cloud-based platform for multi-phenotyping and genetic analyses
Ngo, Trung T. , Rentería, Miguel E. and Cuéllar-Partida, Gabriel (2018). E-mental health transdiagnostic stratification: A cloud-based platform for multi-phenotyping and genetic analyses. 40th Annual Society for Mental Health Research Conference, Noosa Heads, QLD Australia, 28–30 November 2018.
2017
Journal Article
Human subcortical brain asymmetries in 15,847 people worldwide reveal effects of age and sex
Guadalupe, Tulio, Mathias, Samuel R., vanErp, Theo G. M., Whelan, Christopher D., Zwiers, Marcel P., Abe, Yoshinari, Abramovic, Lucija, Agartz, Ingrid, Andreassen, Ole A., Arias-Vásquez, Alejandro, Aribisala, Benjamin S., Armstrong, Nicola J., Arolt, Volker, Artiges, Eric, Ayesa-Arriola, Rosa, Baboyan, Vatche G., Banaschewski, Tobias, Barker, Gareth, Bastin, Mark E., Baune, Bernhard T., Blangero, John, Bokde, Arun L.W., Boedhoe, Premika S.W., Bose, Anushree, Brem, Silvia, Brodaty, Henry, Bromberg, Uli, Brooks, Samantha, Büchel, Christian ... Francks, Clyde (2017). Human subcortical brain asymmetries in 15,847 people worldwide reveal effects of age and sex. Brain Imaging and Behavior, 11 (5), 1497-1514. doi: 10.1007/s11682-016-9629-z
2017
Journal Article
Subcortical brain structure and suicidal behaviour in major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis from the ENIGMA-MDD working group
Renteria, M. E., Schmaal, L., Hibar, D. P., Couvy-Duchesne, B., Strike, L. T., Mills, N. T., de Zubicaray, G. I., McMahon, K. L., Medland, S. E., Gillespie, N. A., Hatton, S. N., Lagopoulos, J., Veltman, D. J., van der Wee, N., van Erp, T. G. M., Wittfeld, K., Grabe, H. J., Block, A., Hegenscheid, K., Voelzke, H., Veer, I. M., Walter, H., Schnell, K., Schramm, E., Normann, C., Schoepf, D., Konrad, C., Zurowski, B., Godlewska, B. R. ... Hickie, I. B. (2017). Subcortical brain structure and suicidal behaviour in major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis from the ENIGMA-MDD working group. Translational Psychiatry, 7 (5) e1116, e1116-e1116. doi: 10.1038/tp.2017.84
2017
Journal Article
Novel genetic loci associated with hippocampal volume
Hibar, Derrek P., Adams, Hieab H. H., Jahanshad, Neda, Chauhan, Ganesh, Stein, Jason L., Hofer, Edith, Renteria, Miguel E., Bis, Joshua C., Arias-Vasquez, Alejandro, Ikram, M. Kamran, Desrivieres, Sylvane, Vernooij, Meike W., Abramovic, Lucija, Alhusaini, Saud, Amin, Najaf, Andersson, Micael, Arfanakis, Konstantinos, Aribisala, Benjamin S., Armstrong, Nicola J., Athanasiu, Lavinia, Axelsson, Tomas, Beecham, Ashley H., Beiser, Alexa, Bernard, Manon, Blanton, Susan H., Bohlken, Marc M., Boks, Marco P., Bralten, Janita, Brickman, Adam M. ... Ikram, M. Arfan (2017). Novel genetic loci associated with hippocampal volume. Nature Communications, 8 (1) 13624, 13624. doi: 10.1038/ncomms13624
2017
Conference Publication
Binocular rivalry rate as a novel candidate endophenotype for bipolar disorder
Trung Ngo,, Renteria, Miguel E., Conde, Lucia Colodro, Couvy-Duchesne, Baptiste, Cuellar-Partida, Gabriel, Hansen, Narelle K., Medland, Sarah E., Miller, Steven M., Wright, Margaret J. and Martin, Nicholas G. (2017). Binocular rivalry rate as a novel candidate endophenotype for bipolar disorder. 23rd Annual World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics (WCPG), Toronto, Canada, 16-20 October 2015. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier.
2017
Conference Publication
A perceptual endophenotype for mental illness: Characterising normal genetic variation in the trait
Cuéllar-Partida, Gabriel, Ngo, Trung T., Couvy-Duchesne, Baptiste, Rentería, Miguel E., Colodro Conde, Lucia, Gordon, Scott D., Hansell, Narelle K., Medland, Sarah E., Wright, Margaret J. and Martin, Nicholas G. (2017). A perceptual endophenotype for mental illness: Characterising normal genetic variation in the trait. BLiSS 2017 — Brisbane Life Science ECR Symposium, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, 24 November 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
GWAS of complementary perceptual endophenotype measures: How do they rate?
Ngo, Trung T., Cuéllar-Partida, Gabriel, Couvy-Duchesne, Baptiste, Rentería, Miguel E., Colodro Conde, Lucia, Gordon, Scott D., Hansell, Narelle K., Medland, Sarah E., Wright, Margaret J. and Martin, Nicholas G. (2017). GWAS of complementary perceptual endophenotype measures: How do they rate?. Australasian Society for Bipolar & Depressive Disorders (ASBDD) 2017 Conference, Deakin Edge, Melbourne, 15–17 September 2017.
2016
Journal Article
Novel genetic loci underlying human intracranial volume identified through genome-wide association
Adams, Hieab H. H., Hibar, Derrek P., Chouraki, Vincent, Stein, Jason L., Nyquist, Paul A., Renteria, Miguel E., Trompet, Stella, Arias-Vasquez, Alejandro, Seshadri, Sudha, Desrivieres, Sylvane, Beecham, Ashley H., Jahanshad, Neda, Wittfeld, Katharina, Van der Lee, Sven J., Abramovic, Lucija, Alhusaini, Saud, Amin, Najaf, Andersson, Micael, Arfanakis, Konstantinos, Aribisala, Benjamin S., Armstrong, Nicola J., Athanasiu, Lavinia, Axelsson, Tomas, Beiser, Alexa, Bernard, Manon, Bis, Joshua C., Blanken, Laura M. E., Blanton, SusanH., Bohlken, Marc M. ... Thompson, Paul M. (2016). Novel genetic loci underlying human intracranial volume identified through genome-wide association. Nature Neuroscience, 19 (12), 1569-1582. doi: 10.1038/nn.4398
2016
Journal Article
Sweet taste perception is associated with body mass index at the phenotypic and genotypic level
Hwang, Liang-Dar, Cuellar-Partida, Gabriel, Ong, Jue-Sheng, Breslin, Paul A. S., Reed, Danielle R., Macgregor, Stuart, Gharahkhani, Puya, Martin, Nicholas G. and Renteria, Miguel E. (2016). Sweet taste perception is associated with body mass index at the phenotypic and genotypic level. Twin Research and Human Genetics, 19 (5), 465-471. doi: 10.1017/thg.2016.60
2016
Journal Article
The association of genetic predisposition to depressive symptoms with non-suicidal and suicidal self-injuries
Maciejewski, Dominique F., Renteria, Miguel E., Abdellaoui, Abdel, Medland, Sarah E., Few, Lauren R., Gordon, Scott D., Madden, Pamela A. F., Montgomery, Grant, Trull, Timothy J., Heath, Andrew C., Statham, Dixie J., Martin, Nicholas G., Zietsch, Brendan P. and Verweij, Karin J. H. (2016). The association of genetic predisposition to depressive symptoms with non-suicidal and suicidal self-injuries. Behavior Genetics, 47 (1), 1-8. doi: 10.1007/s10519-016-9809-z
2016
Journal Article
Early developmental gene enhancers affect subcortical volumes in the adult human brain
Becker, Martin, Guadalupe, Tulio, Franke, Barbara, Hibar, Derrek P., Renteria, Miguel E., Stein, Jason L., Thompson, Paul M., Francks, Clyde, Vernes, Sonja C. and Fisher, Simon E. (2016). Early developmental gene enhancers affect subcortical volumes in the adult human brain. Human Brain Mapping, 37 (5), 1788-1800. doi: 10.1002/hbm.23136
2016
Journal Article
Cortical abnormalities in adults and adolescents with major depression based on brain scans from 20 cohorts worldwide in the ENIGMA Major Depressive Disorder Working Group
Schmaal, L., Hibar, D. P., Samann, P. G., Hall, G. B., Baune, B. T., Jahanshad, N., Cheung, J. W., van Erp, T. G. M., Bos, D., Ikram, M. A., Vernooij, M. W., Niessen, W. J., Tiemeier, H., Hofman, A., Wittfeld, K., Grabe, H. J., Janowitz, D., Bulow, R., Selonke, M., Volzke, H., Grotegerd, D., Dannlowski, U., Arolt, V., Opel, N., Heindel, W., Kugel, H., Hoehn, D., Czisch, M., Couvy-Duchesne, B. ... Veltman, D. J. (2016). Cortical abnormalities in adults and adolescents with major depression based on brain scans from 20 cohorts worldwide in the ENIGMA Major Depressive Disorder Working Group. Molecular Psychiatry, 22 (6), 900-909. doi: 10.1038/mp.2016.60
2016
Journal Article
Subcortical brain alterations in major depressive disorder: findings from the ENIGMA Major Depressive Disorder working group
Schmaal, L., Veltman, D. J., van Erp, T. G. M., Sämann, P. G., Frodl, T., Jahanshad, N., Loehrer, E., Tiemeier, H., Hofman, A., Niessen, W. J., Vernooij, M. W., Ikram, M. A., Wittfeld, K., Grabe, H. J., Block, A., Hegenscheid, K., Völzke, H., Hoehn, D., Czisch, M., Lagopoulos, J., Hatton, S. N., Hickie, I. B., Goya-Maldonado, R., Krämer, B., Gruber, O., Couvy-Duchesne, B., Rentería, M. E., Strike, L. T., Mills, N. T. ... Hibar, D. P. (2016). Subcortical brain alterations in major depressive disorder: findings from the ENIGMA Major Depressive Disorder working group. Molecular Psychiatry, 21 (6), 806-812. doi: 10.1038/mp.2015.69
2015
Journal Article
Common genetic variants influence human subcortical brain structures
Hibar, Derrek P, Stein, Jason L, Renteria, Miguel E, Arias-Vasquez, Alejandro, Desrivieres, Sylvane, Jahanshad, Neda, Toro, Roberto, Wittfeld, Katharina, Abramovic, Lucija, Andersson, Micael, Aribisala, Benjamin S, Armstrong, Nicola J, Bernard, Manon, Bohlken, Marc M, Boks, Marco P, Bralten, Janita, Brown, Andrew A, Mallar Chakravarty M., Chen, Qiang, Ching, Christopher R.K., Cuellar-Partida, Gabriel, Den Braber, Anouk, Giddaluru, Sudheer, Goldman, Aaron L, Grimm, Oliver, Guadalupe, Tulio, Hass, Johanna, Woldehawariat, Girma, Holmes, Avram J ... Medland, Sarah E (2015). Common genetic variants influence human subcortical brain structures. Nature, 520 (7546), 224-229. doi: 10.1038/nature14101
2015
Journal Article
LocusTrack: integrated visualization of GWAS results and genomic annotation
Cuellar-Partida, Gabriel, Renteria, Miguel E. and MacGregor, Stuart (2015). LocusTrack: integrated visualization of GWAS results and genomic annotation. Source Code for Biology and Medicine, 10 (1) 1, 1.1-1.4. doi: 10.1186/s13029-015-0032-8
2015
Conference Publication
Structural brain alterations in major depression: findings from the ENIGMA Major Depressive Disorder Working Group
Schmaal, L., Veltman, D. J., Van Erp, T. G., Saemann, P. G., Frodl, T., Jahanshad, N., Loehrer, E., Tiemeier, H., Hofman, A., Niessen, W. J., Vernooij, M. W., Ikram, M. A., Wittfeld, K., Grabe, H. J., Block, A., Hegenscheid, K., Voelzke, H., Hoehn, D., Czisch, M., Lagopoulos, J., Hatton, S. N., Hickie, I. B., Goya-Maldonado, R., Kraemer, B., Gruber, O., Couvy-Duchesne, B., Renteria, M. E., Strike, L. T., Mills, N. T. ... Hibar, D. P. (2015). Structural brain alterations in major depression: findings from the ENIGMA Major Depressive Disorder Working Group. 28th Congress of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP), Amsterdam Netherlands, Aug 29-Sep 01, 2015. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/S0924-977X(15)30517-4
2014
Journal Article
Genetic architecture of subcortical brain regions: common and region-specific genetic contributions
Rentería, M. E., Hansell, N. K., Strike, L. T., McMahon, K. L., de Zubicaray, G. I., Hickie, Ian B., Thompson, Paul M., Martin, N. G., Medland, S. E. and Wright, M. J. (2014). Genetic architecture of subcortical brain regions: common and region-specific genetic contributions. Genes, Brain and Behavior, 13 (8), 821-830. doi: 10.1111/gbb.12177
2014
Journal Article
The ENIGMA Consortium: large-scale collaborative analyses of neuroimaging and genetic data
Thompson, Paul M., Stein, Jason L., Medland, Sarah E., Hibar, Derrek P., Arias Vasquez, Alejandro, Renteria, Miguel E., Toro, Roberto, Jahanshad, Neda, Schumann, Gunter, Franke, Barbara, Wright, Margaret J., Martin, Nicholas G., Agartz, Ingrid, Alda, Martin, Alhusaini, Saud, Almasy, Laura, Almeida, Jorge, Alpert, Kathryn, Andreasen, Nancy C., Andreassen, Ole A., Apostolova, Liana G., Appel, Katja, Armstrong, Nicola J., Aribisala, Benjamin, Bastin, Mark E., Bauer, Michael, Bearden, Carrie E., Bergmann, Ørjan, Binder, Elisabeth B. ... Saguenay Youth Study (SYS) Group (2014). The ENIGMA Consortium: large-scale collaborative analyses of neuroimaging and genetic data. Brain Imaging and Behavior, 8 (2), 153-182. doi: 10.1007/s11682-013-9269-5
2013
Journal Article
GWAS of DNA methylation variation within imprinting control regions suggests parent-of-origin association
Rentería, Miguel E., Coolen, Marcel W., Statham, Aaron L., Choi, R. Seong Min, Qu, Wenjia, Campbell, Megan J., Smith, Sara, Henders, Anjali K., Montgomery, Grant W., Clark, Susan J., Martin, Nicholas G. and Medland, Sarah E. (2013). GWAS of DNA methylation variation within imprinting control regions suggests parent-of-origin association. Twin Research and Human Genetics, 16 (4), 767-781. doi: 10.1017/thg.2013.30
2013
Book Chapter
Using PLINK for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and data analysis
Renteria, Miguel E., Cortes, Adrian and Medland, Sarah E. (2013). Using PLINK for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and data analysis. Genome-Wide Association Studies and Genomic Prediction. (pp. 193-213) edited by Cedric Gondro, Julius van der Werf and Ben Hayes. New York, NY, United States: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-62703-447-0_8
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Miguel Rentería is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Genetic Aetiology of Cognitive and Speech-Related Features in Parkinson's Disease
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Monogenic Parkinson's disease among individuals from underrepresented backgrounds in Australia and Mexico
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Elucidating the genetic architecture of neuropsychiatric phenotypes and other complex human traits
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nick Martin
-
Doctor Philosophy
Elucidating the genetic architecture of neuropsychiatric phenotypes and other complex human traits
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nick Martin
-
Doctor Philosophy
Elucidating the genetic architecture of neuropsychiatric phenotypes and other complex human traits
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nick Martin
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the genetic aetiology of age-related diseases in diverse populations
Associate Advisor
-
Master Philosophy
Application of machine learning techniques on longitudinal fitness tracker data to augment disease risk prediction.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Quan Nguyen
-
Doctor Philosophy
Bridging gaps on the genetics of age-related disorder among under-represented populations
Associate Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Genetic architecture of differences in symptomatology and treatment response in major depressive disorder
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nick Martin, Honorary Professor Sarah Medland
-
Doctor Philosophy
From Genes to Brain Networks: AI Approaches to Understanding the Genetic Foundations of Brain Functionality in Health and Disease
Associate Advisor
Completed supervision
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Elucidating the genetic architecture of neuropsychiatric phenotypes and other complex human traits
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nick Martin
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding psychiatric disease: From aetiology to outcomes and treatment response
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nick Martin
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Miguel Rentería directly for media enquiries about:
- Human genetics
- Parkinson's disease
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