
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
2008
Journal Article
Suggestive linkage on chromosome 2, 8, and 17 for lifetime major depression
Middeldorp, CM, Sullivan, PF, Wray, NR, Hottenga, JJ, de Geus, EJC, van den Berg, M, Montgomery, GW, Coventry, WL, Statham, DJ, Andrews, G, Slagboom, PE, Boomsma, DI and Martin, NG (2008). Suggestive linkage on chromosome 2, 8, and 17 for lifetime major depression. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics, 150B (3), 352-358. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.b.30817
2008
Journal Article
Association study of candidate variants from brain-derived neurotrophic factor and dystrobrevin-binding protein 1 with neuroticism, anxiety, and depression
Wray, Naomi R., James, Michael R., Handoko, Herlina Y., Dumenil, Troy, Lind, Penelope A., Montgomery, Grant W. and Martin, Nicholas G. (2008). Association study of candidate variants from brain-derived neurotrophic factor and dystrobrevin-binding protein 1 with neuroticism, anxiety, and depression. Psychiatric Genetics, 18 (5), 219-225. doi: 10.1097/YPG.0b013e3283050aee
2008
Journal Article
Shared temperament risk factors for anorexia nervosa: a twin study
Wade, T. D., Tiggemann, M., Bulik, C. M., Fairburn, C. G., Wray, N. R. and Martin, N. G. (2008). Shared temperament risk factors for anorexia nervosa: a twin study. Psychosomatic Medicine, 70 (2), 239-244. doi: 10.1097/PSY.0b013e31815c40f1
2008
Journal Article
Heritability in the genomics era — concepts and misconceptions
Visscher, Peter, Hill, William G. and Wray, Naomi (2008). Heritability in the genomics era — concepts and misconceptions. Nature Reviews Genetics, 9 (4), 255-266. doi: 10.1038/nrg2322
2008
Book Chapter
Use of monozygotic twins to investigate the relationship between 5HTTLPR genotype, depression and stressful life events: an application of item response theory
Wray, Naomi R., Coventry, William L., James, Michael R., Montgomery, Grant W., Eaves, Lindon J. and Martin, Nicholas G. (2008). Use of monozygotic twins to investigate the relationship between 5HTTLPR genotype, depression and stressful life events: an application of item response theory. Genetic effects on environmental vulnerability to disease. (pp. 48-67) Chichester, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/9780470696781.ch4
2008
Journal Article
Genome-wide linkage analysis of multiple measures of neuroticism of 2 large cohorts from Australia and the Netherlands
Wray, Naomi R., Middeldorp, Christel M., Birley, Andrew J., Gordon, Scott D., Sullivan, Patrick F., Visscher, Peter M., Nyholt, Dale R, Willemsen, Gonneke, de Geus, Eco J.C., Slagboom, P. Eline, Montgomery, Grant W., Martin, Nicholas G. and Boomsma, Dorret I. (2008). Genome-wide linkage analysis of multiple measures of neuroticism of 2 large cohorts from Australia and the Netherlands. Archives of General Psychiatry, 65 (6), 649-658. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.65.6.649
2008
Journal Article
Association study of candidate variants of COMT with neuroticism, anxiety and depression
Wray, Naomi, James, Michael R., Dumenil, Troy, Handoko, Herlina Y., Lind, Penelope A., Montgomery, Grant W. and Martin, Nicholas G. (2008). Association study of candidate variants of COMT with neuroticism, anxiety and depression. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics, 147B (7), 1314-1318. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.b.30744
2008
Journal Article
A whole genome association study of neuroticism using DNA pooling
Shifman, S., Bhomra, A., Smiley, S., Wray, N. R., James, M. R., Martin, N. G., Hettema, J. M., An, S. S., Neale, M. C., van den Oord, E. J., Kendler, K. S., Chen, X., Boomsma, D. I., Middeldorp, C. M., Hottenga, J. J., Slagboom, P. E. and Flint, J. (2008). A whole genome association study of neuroticism using DNA pooling. Molecular Psychiatry, 13 (3), 302-312. doi: 10.1038/sj.mp.4002048
2008
Journal Article
Prediction of individual genetic risk of complex disease
Wray, Naomi, Goddard, Michael E. and Visscher, Peter (2008). Prediction of individual genetic risk of complex disease. Current Opinion in Genetics and Development, 18 (3), 257-263. doi: 10.1016/j.gde.2008.07.006
2007
Journal Article
Expression of eEF1A2 is associated with clear cell histology in ovarian carcinomas: overexpression of the gene is not dependent on modifications at the EEF1A2 locus
Tomlinson, V. A. L., Newbery, H. J., Bergmann, J. H., Boyd, J., Scott, D., Wray, N. R., Sellar, G. C., Gabra, H., Graham, A., Williams, A. R. W. and Abbott, C. M. (2007). Expression of eEF1A2 is associated with clear cell histology in ovarian carcinomas: overexpression of the gene is not dependent on modifications at the EEF1A2 locus. British Journal of Cancer, 96 (10), 1613-1620. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6603748
2007
Journal Article
Haplotype analysis and a novel allele-sharing method refines a chromosome 4p locus linked to bipolar affective disorder
Le Hellard, Stephanie, Lee, Andrew J., Underwood, Sarah, Thomson, Pippa A., Morris, Stewart W., Torrance, Helen S., Anderson, Susan M., Adams, Richard R., Navarro, Pau, Christoforou, Andrea, Houlihan, Lorna M., Detera-Wadleigh, Sevilla, Owen, Michael J., Asherson, Philip, Muir, Walter I., Blackwood, Douglas H. R., Wray, Naomi R., Porteous, David I. and Evans, Kathryn L. (2007). Haplotype analysis and a novel allele-sharing method refines a chromosome 4p locus linked to bipolar affective disorder. Biological Psychiatry, 61 (6), 797-805. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2006.06.029
2007
Journal Article
Anxiety and comorbid measures associated with PLXNA2
Wray, Naomi R., James, Michael R., Mah, Steven P., Nelson, Matthew, Andrews, Gavin, Sullivan, Patrick F., Montgomery, Grant W., Birley, Andrew J., Braun, Andreas and Martin, Nicholas G. (2007). Anxiety and comorbid measures associated with PLXNA2. Archives of General Psychiatry, 64 (3), 318-326. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.64.3.318
2007
Journal Article
Prediction of individual genetic risk to disease from genome-wide association studies
Wray, Naomi R., Goddard, Michael E. and Visscher, Peter M. (2007). Prediction of individual genetic risk to disease from genome-wide association studies. Genome Research, 17 (10), 1520-1528. doi: 10.1101/gr.6665407
2007
Journal Article
Genetic and phenotypic stability of measures of neuroticism over 22 years
Wray, N. R., Birley, A. J., Sullivan, P. F., Visscher, P. M. and Martin, N. G. (2007). Genetic and phenotypic stability of measures of neuroticism over 22 years. Twin Research & Human Genetics, 10 (5), 695-702. doi: 10.1375/twin.10.5.695
2007
Journal Article
Association analysis of the chromosome 4p15-p16 candidate region for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia
Christoforou, A., Le Hellard, S., Thomson, P. A., Morris, S. W., Tenesa, A., Pickard, B. S., Wray, N. R., Muir, W. J., Blackwood, D. H., Porteous, D. J. and Evans, K. L. (2007). Association analysis of the chromosome 4p15-p16 candidate region for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Molecular Psychiatry, 12 (11), 1011-1025. doi: 10.1038/sj.mp.4002003
2007
Book Chapter
Mapping common disease genes
Wray, Naomi R. and Visscher, Peter M. (2007). Mapping common disease genes. Mapping common disease genes. (pp. 59-79) CAMBRIDGE: CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS. doi: 10.1017/CBO9780511543555.005
2006
Journal Article
Sex Differences in Symptoms of Depression in Unrelated Individuals and Opposite-Sex Twin and Sibling Pairs
Middeldorp, Christel M., Wray, Naomi R., Andrews, Gavin, Martin, Nicholas G. and Boomsma, Dorret I. (2006). Sex Differences in Symptoms of Depression in Unrelated Individuals and Opposite-Sex Twin and Sibling Pairs. Twin Research And Human Genetics, 9 (5), 632-636. doi: 10.1375/183242706778553507
2006
Journal Article
Association analysis of the chromosome 4p-located G protein-coupled receptor 78 (GPR78) gene in bipolar affective disorder and schizophrenia
Underwood, SL, Christoforou, A, Thomson, PA, Wray, NR, Tenesa, A, Whittaker, J, Adams, RA, Le Hellard, S, Morris, SW, Blackwood, DHR, Muir, WJ, Porteous, DJ and Evans, KL (2006). Association analysis of the chromosome 4p-located G protein-coupled receptor 78 (GPR78) gene in bipolar affective disorder and schizophrenia. Molecular Psychiatry, 11 (4), 384-394. doi: 10.1038/sj.mp.4001786
2006
Journal Article
Empirical Evaluation of the Genetic Similarity of Samples From Twin Registries in Australia and the Netherlands Using 359 STRP Markers
Sullivan, Patrick F., Montgomery, Grant W., Hottenga, Jouke J., Wray, Naomi R., Boomsma, Dorret I. and Martin, Nicholas G. (2006). Empirical Evaluation of the Genetic Similarity of Samples From Twin Registries in Australia and the Netherlands Using 359 STRP Markers. Twin Research And Human Genetics, 9 (4), 600-602. doi: 10.1375/183242706778025026
2005
Journal Article
Translation elongation factor eEF1A2 is a potential oncoprotein that is overexpressed in two-thirds of breast tumours
Tomlinson, VAL, Newbery, HJ, Wray, NR, Jackson, J, Larionov, A, Miller, WR, Dixon, JM and Abbott, CM (2005). Translation elongation factor eEF1A2 is a potential oncoprotein that is overexpressed in two-thirds of breast tumours. BMC Cancer, 5 (1) 113. doi: 10.1186/1471-2407-5-113
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
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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
-
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
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the influence of genetics and heritability on the heterogeneity of ADHD presentations
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Sarah Medland
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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
Media
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