
Overview
Background
Naomi Wray is the Michael Davys Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford. She holds an appointment at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) within the University of Queensland. She joined UQ Queensland Brain Institute in 2011 moving to the IMB in 2015. She was Head of the Centre for Population & Disease Genomics within IMB 2018-2023. Her Oxford appointment started in 2023.
Her research focuses on development and application of quantitative genetics and genomics methodologies across complex diseases, disorders and traits, but particularly psychiatric-related traits.
She is a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Leadership Fellow, a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Science. In 2020 she was awarded the NHMRC Elizabeth Blackburn Award for Leadership in Basic Science and the 2021 International Society of Psychiatric Genetics Ming Tsuang Lifetime Achievement Award. She is a Clarivate Highly Cited researcher.
She was Director of the Program in Complex Trait Genomics (PCTG) funded as an NHMRC Program Grant 2017-2022. She plays a key role in the International Psychiatric Genomics Consortium and established the sporadic ALS Australia systems genomics consortium (SALSA) funded by the MND Research Australia IceBucket Challenge and FightMND. She is a co-investigator on the Australian Genetics of Depression Study (AGDS) and is currently launching the AGDS-Cello project focussed on establishing a cell line resource from participants with a detailed history of anti-depressant use and response measures. She is part of an NHMRC Synergy (2023-2027) "Rhythms and blues: Personalising care for body clock dysfunction in mood disorders".
She is secretary of the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics, and is on the editorial advisory boards of JAMA Psychiatry, Neuron, Royal Society Open and Research Directions: Depression.
Availability
- Professor Naomi Wray is:
- Not available for supervision
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Edinburgh
Research interests
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Genetics of complex genetic traits, disease and disorders
Quantitative genetics methodology Genetics of Psychiatric Disorder Genetics of Motor Neurone Disease Genetics of Cognitive Ageing Systems Genomics
Works
Search Professor Naomi Wray’s works on UQ eSpace
2014
Journal Article
The association between family history of mental disorders and general cognitive ability
McGrath, J. J., Wray, N. R., Pedersen, C. B., Mortensen, P. B., Greve, A. N. and Petersen, L. (2014). The association between family history of mental disorders and general cognitive ability. Translational Psychiatry, 4 (e412) e412, 1-6. doi: 10.1038/tp.2014.60
2014
Journal Article
Applying polygenic risk scores to postpartum depression
Byrne, Edna M., Carrillo-Roa, Tania, Penninx, Brenda W. J. H., Sallis, Hannah M., Viktorin, Alexander, Chapman, Brett, Henders, Anjali K., Pergadia, Michele L., Heath, Andrew C., Madden, Pamela A. F., Sullivan, Patrick F., Boschloo, Lynn, van Grootheest, Gerard, McMahon, George, Lawlor, Debbie A., Landen, Mikael, Lichtenstein, Paul, Magnusson, Patrik K. E., Evans, David M., Montgomery, Grant W., Boomsma, Dorret I., Martin, Nicholas G., Meltzer-Brody, Samantha and Wray, Naomi R. (2014). Applying polygenic risk scores to postpartum depression. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 17 (6), 519-528. doi: 10.1007/s00737-014-0428-5
2014
Journal Article
Overlap of expression Quantitative Trait Loci (eQTL) in human brain and blood
McKenzie, Marna, Henders, Anjali K., Caracella, Anthony, Wray, Naomi R. and Powell, Joseph E. (2014). Overlap of expression Quantitative Trait Loci (eQTL) in human brain and blood. BMC Medical Genomics, 7 (1) 31, 1-11. doi: 10.1186/1755-8794-7-31
2014
Journal Article
Hypermethylation in the ZBTB20 gene is associated with major depressive disorder
Davies, Matthew N., Krause, Lutz, Bell, Jordana T., Gao, Fei, Ward, Kirsten J., Wu, Honglong, Lu, Hanlin, Liu, Yuan, Tsai, Pei-Chein, Collier, David A., Murphy, Therese, Dempster, Emma, Mill, Jonathan, UK Brain Expression Consortium, Battle, Alexis, Mostafavi, Sara, Zhu, Xiaowei, Henders, Anjali, Byrne, Enda, Wray, Naomi R., Martin, Nicholas G., Spector, Tim D. and Wang, Jun (2014). Hypermethylation in the ZBTB20 gene is associated with major depressive disorder. Genome Biology, 15 (4) R56, R56.1-R56.12. doi: 10.1186/gb-2014-15-4-r56
2014
Journal Article
Explaining additional genetic variation in complex traits
Robinson, Matthew R., Wray, Naomi R. and Visscher, Peter M. (2014). Explaining additional genetic variation in complex traits. Trends in Genetics, 30 (4), 124-132. doi: 10.1016/j.tig.2014.02.003
2014
Journal Article
NFIB-mediated repression of the epigenetic factor Ezh2 regulates cortical development
Piper, Michael, Barry, Guy, Harvey, Tracey J., McLeay, Robert, Smith, Aaron G., Harris, Lachlan, Mason, Sharon, Stringer, Brett W., Day, Bryan W., Wray, Naomi R., Gronostajski, Richard M., Bailey, Timothy L., Boyd, Andrew W. and Richards, Linda J. (2014). NFIB-mediated repression of the epigenetic factor Ezh2 regulates cortical development. Journal of Neuroscience, 34 (8), 2921-2930. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2319-13.2014
2014
Journal Article
DNA modification study of major depressive disorder: beyond locus-by-locus comparisons
Oh, Gabriel, Wang, Sun-Chong, Pal, Mrinal, Chen, Zheng Fei, Khare, Tarang, Tochigi, Mamoru, Ng, Catherine, Yang, Yeqing A., Kwan, Andrew, Kaminsky, Zachary A., Mill, Jonathan, Gunasinghe, Cerisse, Tackett, Jennifer L., Gottesman, Irving I., Willemsen, Gonneke, de Geus, Eco J. C., Vink, Jacqueline M., Slagboom, P. Eline, Wray, Naomi R., Heath, Andrew C., Montgomery, Grant W., Turecki, Gustavo, Martin, Nicholas G., Boomsma, Dorret I., McGuffin, Peter, Kustra, Rafal and Petronis, Art (2014). DNA modification study of major depressive disorder: beyond locus-by-locus comparisons. Biological Psychiatry, 77 (3), 246-255. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2014.06.016
2014
Book Chapter
Future directions in genetics of psychiatric disorders
Wray, Naomi R., Byrne, Enda M., Stringer, Sven and Mowry, Bryan J. (2014). Future directions in genetics of psychiatric disorders. Behavior genetics of psychopathology. (pp. 311-337) edited by Soo Hyun Rhee and Angelica Ronald. New York, NY, United States: Springer New York. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4614-9509-3_11
2014
Journal Article
Genetic predisposition to schizophrenia associated with increased use of cannabis
Power, R. A., Verweij, K. J. H., Zuhair, M., Montgomery, G. W., Henders, A. K., Heath, A. C., Madden, P. A. F., Medland, S. E., Wray, N. R. and Martin, N. G. (2014). Genetic predisposition to schizophrenia associated with increased use of cannabis. Molecular Psychiatry, 19 (11), 1201-1204. doi: 10.1038/mp.2014.51
2014
Journal Article
Research Review: Polygenic methods and their application to psychiatric traits
Wray, Naomi R., Lee, Sang Hong, Mehta, Divya, Vinkhuyzen, Anna A. E., Dudbridge, Frank and Middeldorp, Christel M. (2014). Research Review: Polygenic methods and their application to psychiatric traits. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 55 (10), 1068-1087. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.12295
2014
Journal Article
Large-scale genomics unveils the genetic architecture of psychiatric disorders
Gratten, Jacob, Wray, Naomi R., Keller, Matthew C. and Visscher, Peter M. (2014). Large-scale genomics unveils the genetic architecture of psychiatric disorders. Nature Neuroscience, 17 (6), 782-790. doi: 10.1038/nn.3708
2014
Journal Article
A recessive genetic model and runs of homozygosity in major depressive disorder
Power, Robert A., Keller, Matthew C., Ripke, Stephan, Abdellaoui, Abdel, Wray, Naomi R., Sullivan, Patrick F. and Breen, Gerome (2014). A recessive genetic model and runs of homozygosity in major depressive disorder. American Journal of Medical Genetics, Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics, 165 (2), 157-166. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32217
2014
Journal Article
Statistical Power to Detect Genetic (Co)Variance of Complex Traits Using SNP Data in Unrelated Samples
Visscher, Peter M., Hemani, Gibran, Vinkhuyzen, Anna A. E., Chen, Guo-Bo, Lee, Sang Hong, Wray, Naomi R., Goddard, Michael E. and Yang, Jian (2014). Statistical Power to Detect Genetic (Co)Variance of Complex Traits Using SNP Data in Unrelated Samples. PLoS Genetics, 10 (4) e1004269, e1004269.1-e1004269.10. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004269
2014
Journal Article
Biological insights from 108 schizophrenia-associated genetic loci
Schizophrenia Working Group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, Catts, Stanley V., Gratten, Jacob, Lee, S. Hong, Wray, Naomi R., Visscher, Peter M., Mowry, Bryan J., Nertney, Deborah A., Psychosis Endophenotypes International Consortium and Wellcome Trust Case-Control Consortium 2 (2014). Biological insights from 108 schizophrenia-associated genetic loci. Nature, 511 (7510), 421-427. doi: 10.1038/nature13595
2014
Journal Article
Association of OPRD1 polymorphisms with heroin dependence in a large case-control series
Nelson, Elliot C., Lynskey, Michael T., Heath, Andrew C., Wray, Naomi, Agrawal, Arpana, Shand, Fiona L., Henders, Anjali K., Wallace, Leanne, Todorov, Alexandre A., Schrage, Andrew J., Madden, Pamela A. F., Degenhardt, Louisa, Martin, Nicholas G. and Montgomery, Grant W. (2014). Association of OPRD1 polymorphisms with heroin dependence in a large case-control series. Addiction Biology, 19 (1), 111-121. doi: 10.1111/j.1369-1600.2012.00445.x
2014
Journal Article
Testing the role of circadian genes in conferring risk for psychiatric disorders
Byrne, Enda M., Heath, Andrew C., Madden, Pamela A. F., Pergadia, Michele L., Hickie, Ian B., Montgomery, Grant W., Martin, Nicholas G. and Wray, Naomi R. (2014). Testing the role of circadian genes in conferring risk for psychiatric disorders. American Journal of Medical Genetics, Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics, 165 (3), 254-260. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32230
2013
Journal Article
Author reply to A commentary on Pitfalls of predicting complex traits from SNPs
Wray, Naomi R., Yang, Jian, Hayes, Ben J., Price, Alkes L., Goddard, Michael E. and Visscher, Peter M. (2013). Author reply to A commentary on Pitfalls of predicting complex traits from SNPs. Nature Reviews Genetics, 14 (12), 894-894. doi: 10.1038/nrg3457-c2
2013
Journal Article
A genome wide survey supports the involvement of large copy number variants in schizophrenia with and without intellectual disability
Derks, Eske M., Ayub, Muhammad, Chambert, Kimberly, Del Favero, Jurgen, Johnstone, Mandy, Macgregor, Stuart, Maclean, Alan, McKechanie, Andrew G., McRae, Allan F., Moran, Jennifer L., Pickard, Benjamin S., Purcell, Shaun, Sklar, Pamela, St Clair, David M., Wray, Naomi R., Visscher, Peter M. and Blackwood, Douglas H. R. (2013). A genome wide survey supports the involvement of large copy number variants in schizophrenia with and without intellectual disability. American Journal of Medical Genetics. Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics, 162 (8), 847-854. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32189
2013
Journal Article
Estimation and partition of heritability in human populations using whole-genome analysis methods
Vinkhuyzen, Anna A.E., Wray, Naomi R., Yang, Jiang, Goddard, Michael E. and Visscher, Peter M. (2013). Estimation and partition of heritability in human populations using whole-genome analysis methods. Annual Review of Genetics, Review in Advance: 47 (5), 93-113. doi: 10.1146/annurev-genet-111212-133258
2013
Journal Article
Protocol for a collaborative meta-analysis of 5-HTTLPR, stress, and depression
Culverhouse, Robert C., Bowes, Lucy, Breslau, Naomi, Nurnberger, John I. Jr, Burmeister, Margit, Fergusson, David M., Munafo, Marcus, Saccone, Nancy L., Bierut, Laura J., 5-HTTLPR, Stress, and Depression Consortium, Wray, Naomi and Middeldorp, Christel (2013). Protocol for a collaborative meta-analysis of 5-HTTLPR, stress, and depression. BMC Psychiatry, 13 (1) 304, 1-12. doi: 10.1186/1471-244X-13-304
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Naomi Wray is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
ELUCIDATING LIFESTYLE AND GENETIC FACTORS UNDERLYING DEPRESSION HETEROGENEITY AND TREATMENT RESPONSE
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Enda Byrne
-
Doctor Philosophy
Multi-Omic Analyses of a Clinical Trial Cohort of Young People at Ultra-High Risk for Psychosis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Enda Byrne, Dr Allan McRae
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding cellular and molecular heterogeneity in endometriosis using multi-omics data
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sally Mortlock, Dr Allan McRae
-
Doctor Philosophy
Genetic architecture and evolution of complex traits across populations in humans
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Visscher, Dr Fleur Garton, Dr Jian Zeng
-
Doctor Philosophy
Genetics of childhood onset psychiatric symptoms, their persistence and comorbidity with other traits
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Enda Byrne
Completed supervision
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Studying the effects of DNA methylation variation across neurodegenerative disorders
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Allan McRae
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Genetic analyses of complex traits using biobank data
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Visscher
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
A Complex Trait Genomics Approach to Investigating Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Allan McRae
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
The Genetic Architecture of Psychiatric Disorders
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Visscher
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
The Role of Cytokines and Inflammatory Markers in Depression in Adolescents
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gerard Byrne, Professor James Scott, Professor Nick Martin
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Using genomic data to advance understanding of heart failure aetiology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sonia Shah
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Development and application of statistical methods to identify genes and cell types associated with complex traits
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jian Zeng
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Complement Modulation of Peripheral Immunity in Motor Neurone Disease and Huntington's Disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr John Lee, Professor Trent Woodruff
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
The Genomics of Perinatal Depression
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Enda Byrne
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the influence of genetics and heritability on the heterogeneity of ADHD presentations
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Sarah Medland
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Systems biology of motor neurone disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Shyuan Ngo, Dr Allan McRae
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Multi-omics data offer systemic insights into autism
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gerald Holtmann, Honorary Professor Jake Gratten
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Genetic influences on substance use behaviour, substance use disorders and psychiatric disorders
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Sarah Medland, Professor Nick Martin, Dr Lucia Colodro-Conde
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Improving fine-mapping methodology using DNA methylation as a model trait
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Visscher, Dr Allan McRae
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2018
Master Philosophy
Integrating genome-wide association study data with gene expression to understand complex traits and common diseases
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Allan McRae, Honorary Professor Jake Gratten
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