Overview
Background
Professor Sarah Medland (OAM, FASSA, FAHMS, PhD) is a Psychiatric and Statistical Geneticist working in Neuroimaging and Mental health genetics. Her work bridges Genetics, Psychology, Neuro-Imaging, Health Economics and applied Statistics with a focus on understanding the genetic and environmental contributions to human behaviour and disease. She chairs the genetics working group of the ENIGMA neuroimaging consortium and is an active member of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium.
Primary Appointment: Coordinator of the Mental Health Research Program and Group Leader (Psychiatric Genetics) QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.
ORCID: 0000-0003-1382-380X
ResearcherID: C-7630-2013
Scopus Author ID: 34571085600
Email: sarah.medland@qimrberghofer.edu.au
Qualifications
2006 PhD (Psychology), University of Queensland
Dean's Award for Outstanding Research Higher Degree Thesis
2000 BA Hons (Psychology), University of Queensland, 2000 (Psychology Double Major, English Minor)
Availability
- Honorary Professor Sarah Medland is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Works
Search Professor Sarah Medland’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Polygenic risk scores and help-seeking behaviour in young people with recent onset of mood and psychotic disorders
Scott, Jan, Crouse, Jacob J., Medland, Sarah E., Mitchell, Brittany L., Gillespie, Nathan A., Martin, Nicholas G. and Hickie, Ian B. (2025). Polygenic risk scores and help-seeking behaviour in young people with recent onset of mood and psychotic disorders. Journal of Affective Disorders, 372, 40-47. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.11.067
2024
Journal Article
Accelerating Heritability, Genetic Correlation, and Genome‐Wide Association Imaging Genetic Analyses in Complex Pedigrees
Donohue, Brian, Gao, Si, Nichols, Thomas E., Adhikari, Bhim M., Ma, Yizhou, Jahanshad, Neda, Thompson, Paul M., McMahon, Francis J., Humphries, Elizabeth M., Burroughs, William, Ament, Seth A., Mitchell, Braxton D., Ma, Tianzhou, Chen, Shuo, Medland, Sarah E., Blangero, John, Hong, L. Elliot and Kochunov, Peter (2024). Accelerating Heritability, Genetic Correlation, and Genome‐Wide Association Imaging Genetic Analyses in Complex Pedigrees. Human Brain Mapping, 45 (17) e70044, e70044. doi: 10.1002/hbm.70044
2024
Journal Article
The effect of polygenic liability to mental disorders on COVID-19 outcomes in people with depression: the mediating role of anxiety
Monistrol-Mula, Anna, Felez-Nobrega, Mireia, Byrne, Enda M., Lind, Penelope A., Hickie, Ian B., Martin, Nicholas G., Medland, Sarah E., Colodro-Conde, Lucía and Mitchell, Brittany L. (2024). The effect of polygenic liability to mental disorders on COVID-19 outcomes in people with depression: the mediating role of anxiety. Psychological Medicine, 54 (15), 4140-4149. doi: 10.1017/s0033291724001983
2024
Journal Article
Genomic structural equation modeling reveals latent phenotypes in the human cortex with distinct genetic architecture
Morey, Rajendra A., Zheng, Yuanchao, Bayly, Henry, Sun, Delin, Garrett, Melanie E., Gasperi, Marianna, Maihofer, Adam X., Baird, C. Lexi, Grasby, Katrina L., Huggins, Ashley A., Haswell, Courtney C., Thompson, Paul M., Medland, Sarah, Gustavson, Daniel E., Panizzon, Matthew S., Kremen, William S., Nievergelt, Caroline M., Ashley-Koch, Allison E. and Logue, Mark W. (2024). Genomic structural equation modeling reveals latent phenotypes in the human cortex with distinct genetic architecture. Translational Psychiatry, 14 (1) 451, 451. doi: 10.1038/s41398-024-03152-y
2024
Journal Article
Anorexia nervosa polygenic risk, beyond diagnoses: relationship with adolescent disordered eating and behaviors in an Australian female twin population
Curtis, Madeleine, Colodro-Conde, Lucia, Medland, Sarah E., Gordon, Scott, Martin, Nicholas G., Wade, Tracey D. and Cohen-Woods, Sarah (2024). Anorexia nervosa polygenic risk, beyond diagnoses: relationship with adolescent disordered eating and behaviors in an Australian female twin population. Psychological Medicine, 54 (13), 1-9. doi: 10.1017/s0033291724001727
2024
Journal Article
Genomic analysis of intracranial and subcortical brain volumes yields polygenic scores accounting for variation across ancestries
García-Marín, Luis M., Campos, Adrian I., Diaz-Torres, Santiago, Rabinowitz, Jill A., Ceja, Zuriel, Mitchell, Brittany L., Grasby, Katrina L., Thorp, Jackson G., Agartz, Ingrid, Alhusaini, Saud, Ames, David, Amouyel, Philippe, Andreassen, Ole A., Arfanakis, Konstantinos, Arias-Vasquez, Alejandro, Armstrong, Nicola J., Athanasiu, Lavinia, Bastin, Mark E., Beiser, Alexa S., Bennett, David A., Bis, Joshua C., Boks, Marco P. M., Boomsma, Dorret I., Brodaty, Henry, Brouwer, Rachel M., Buitelaar, Jan K., Burkhardt, Ralph, Cahn, Wiepke, Calhoun, Vince D. ... Rentería, Miguel E. (2024). Genomic analysis of intracranial and subcortical brain volumes yields polygenic scores accounting for variation across ancestries. Nature Genetics, 56 (11), 1-12. doi: 10.1038/s41588-024-01951-z
2024
Journal Article
Genetic architecture reconciles linkage and association studies of complex traits
Sidorenko, Julia, Couvy-Duchesne, Baptiste, Kemper, Kathryn E., Moen, Gunn-Helen, Bhatta, Laxmi, Åsvold, Bjørn Olav, Mägi, Reedik, Estonian Biobank Research Team, Ani, Alireza, Wang, Rujia, Nolte, Ilja M., Lifelines Cohort Study, Nolte, Ilja M., Gordon, Scott, Hayward, Caroline, Campbell, Archie, Benjamin, Daniel J., Cesarini, David, Evans, David M., Goddard, Michael E., Haley, Chris S., Porteous, David, Medland, Sarah E., Martin, Nicholas G., Snieder, Harold, Metspalu, Andres, Hveem, Kristian, Brumpton, Ben, Visscher, Peter M. and Yengo, Loic (2024). Genetic architecture reconciles linkage and association studies of complex traits. Nature Genetics, 56 (11), 2352-2360. doi: 10.1038/s41588-024-01940-2
2024
Conference Publication
Genetic And Psychological Predictors Of Suicidal Behavior: Insights From Polygenic Risk Scores And Mental Health Diagnoses
Ceja, Zuriel, Edwards, Alexis, Martin, Nick, Hickie, Ian, Medland, Sarah E. and Rentería, Miguel E. (2024). Genetic And Psychological Predictors Of Suicidal Behavior: Insights From Polygenic Risk Scores And Mental Health Diagnoses. World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics WCPG 2024, Singapore, 15-19 October 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.08.324
2024
Conference Publication
When You Assume: Results And Reflections From Studies On Public Understanding Of Genetics
Morosoli, José J., Colodro-Conde, Lucia, Barlow, Fiona K. and Medland, Sarah E. (2024). When You Assume: Results And Reflections From Studies On Public Understanding Of Genetics. World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics WCPG 2024, Singapore, 15-19 October 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.08.102
2024
Conference Publication
A Genome-wide Association Meta-analysis Of Lithium Response Including The Recently Recruited Australian Genetics Of Bipolar Disorder Study
Lind, Penelope A., Martin, Nicholas G. and Medland, Sarah E. (2024). A Genome-wide Association Meta-analysis Of Lithium Response Including The Recently Recruited Australian Genetics Of Bipolar Disorder Study. World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics WCPG 2024, Singapore, 15-19 October 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.08.458
2024
Conference Publication
Trans-ancestry GWAS Of Hot Flushes Reveals Potent Treatment Target, Overlap With Psychiatric Disorders, And Cell Types Matching Known Hot Flash Neurons
Werwath, Kathryn, Lawn, Rebecca, Salem, Madeleine, Li, Tayden, Gordon, Scott, Shen, Hanyang, Mitchell, Brittany, Kung, Benson, Stafford, Ciera, Vemuri, Mytilee, Ratanatharathorn, Andrew, Meijsen, Joeri, Medland, Sarah E., Martin, Nicholas G. and Duncan, Laramie (2024). Trans-ancestry GWAS Of Hot Flushes Reveals Potent Treatment Target, Overlap With Psychiatric Disorders, And Cell Types Matching Known Hot Flash Neurons. World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics WCPG 2024, Singapore, 15-19 October 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.08.207
2024
Conference Publication
Examining Polygenic Influences On Brain Function And Anxiety/depression Symptoms During Adolescence
Strike, Lachlan, Mitchell, Brittany, McMahon, Katie, de Zubicaray, Greig and Medland, Sarah E. (2024). Examining Polygenic Influences On Brain Function And Anxiety/depression Symptoms During Adolescence. World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics WCPG 2024, Singapore, 15-19 October 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.08.415
2024
Conference Publication
Exploring Mental Health Stigma In The Context Of Psychiatric Genetics: Insights From The ISPG Stigma Reduction SIG Survey
Tissink, Elleke, Thijssen, Anaïs, Zinkstok, Janneke, Johnstone, Mandy, Sud, Reeteka, Austin, Jehannine, Sealock, Julia, Medland, Sarah E., Docherty, Anna and Veeneman, Rada (2024). Exploring Mental Health Stigma In The Context Of Psychiatric Genetics: Insights From The ISPG Stigma Reduction SIG Survey. World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics WCPG 2024, Singapore, 15-19 October 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.08.061
2024
Conference Publication
Genotyping CYP2D6 Using Whole Genome Genotyping Array Data
Painter, Jodie, Grasby, Katrina, Lind, Penelope A. and Medland, Sarah E. (2024). Genotyping CYP2D6 Using Whole Genome Genotyping Array Data. World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics WCPG 2024, Singapore, 15-19 October 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.08.235
2024
Conference Publication
Genetic and environmental predictors of treatment resistant depression
Mitchell, Brittany, Martin, Nick and Medland, Sarah E. (2024). Genetic and environmental predictors of treatment resistant depression. World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics WCPG 2024, Singapore, 15-19 October 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.08.067
2024
Journal Article
Genome-wide meta-analysis of ascertainment and symptom structures of major depression in case-enriched and community cohorts
Adams, Mark J., Thorp, Jackson G., Jermy, Bradley S., Kwong, Alex S. F., Kõiv, Kadri, Grotzinger, Andrew D., Nivard, Michel G., Marshall, Sally, Milaneschi, Yuri, Baune, Bernhard T., Müller-Myhsok, Bertram, Penninx, Brenda W. J. H., Boomsma, Dorret I., Levinson, Douglas F., Breen, Gerome, Pistis, Giorgio, Grabe, Hans J., Tiemeier, Henning, Berger, Klaus, Rietschel, Marcella, Magnusson, Patrik K., Uher, Rudolf, Hamilton, Steven P., Lucae, Susanne, Lehto, Kelli, Li, Qingqin S., Byrne, Enda M., Hickie, Ian B., Martin, Nicholas G. ... Derks, Eske M. (2024). Genome-wide meta-analysis of ascertainment and symptom structures of major depression in case-enriched and community cohorts. Psychological Medicine, 54 (12), 3459-3468. doi: 10.1017/s0033291724001880
2024
Journal Article
Recent breakthroughs in genetic and brain structural correlates of suicidal behaviours: A short review
Ceja, Zuriel, Van Velzen, Laura S., Campos, Adrian I., Jahanshad, Neda, Medland, Sarah E., Edwards, Alexis C., Schmaal, Lianne and Rentería, Miguel E. (2024). Recent breakthroughs in genetic and brain structural correlates of suicidal behaviours: A short review. Biological Psychiatry. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.09.010
2024
Journal Article
Patterns of stressful life events and polygenic scores for five mental disorders and neuroticism among adults with depression
Crouse, Jacob J., Park, Shin Ho, Byrne, Enda M., Mitchell, Brittany L., Scott, Jan, Medland, Sarah E., Lin, Tian, Wray, Naomi R., Martin, Nicholas G. and Hickie, Ian B. (2024). Patterns of stressful life events and polygenic scores for five mental disorders and neuroticism among adults with depression. Molecular Psychiatry, 29 (9), 2765-2773. doi: 10.1038/s41380-024-02492-x
2024
Journal Article
Markers of positive affect and brain state synchrony discriminate melancholic from non-melancholic depression using naturalistic stimuli
Mosley, Philip E., van der Meer, Johan N., Hamilton, Lachlan H. W., Fripp, Jurgen, Parker, Stephen, Jeganathan, Jayson, Breakspear, Michael, Parker, Richard, Holland, Rebecca, Mitchell, Brittany L., Byrne, Enda, Hickie, Ian B., Medland, Sarah E., Martin, Nicholas G. and Cocchi, Luca (2024). Markers of positive affect and brain state synchrony discriminate melancholic from non-melancholic depression using naturalistic stimuli. Molecular Psychiatry. doi: 10.1038/s41380-024-02699-y
2024
Journal Article
Large‐scale analysis of structural brain asymmetries during neurodevelopment: Associations with age and sex in 4265 children and adolescents
Kurth, F., Schijven, D., van den Heuvel, O. A., Hoogman, M., van Rooij, D., Stein, D. J., Buitelaar, J. K., Bölte, S., Auzias, G., Kushki, A., Venkatasubramanian, G., Rubia, K., Bollmann, S., Isaksson, J., Jaspers‐Fayer, F., Marsh, R., Batistuzzo, M. C., Arnold, P. D., Bressan, R. A., Stewart, S. E., Gruner, P., Sorensen, L., Pan, P. M., Silk, T. J., Gur, R. C., Cubillo, A. I., Haavik, J., O'Gorman Tuura, R. L., Hartman, C. A. ... Luders, E. (2024). Large‐scale analysis of structural brain asymmetries during neurodevelopment: Associations with age and sex in 4265 children and adolescents. Human Brain Mapping, 45 (11) e26754, e26754. doi: 10.1002/hbm.26754
Supervision
Availability
- Honorary Professor Sarah Medland is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Unveiling the Complexities of Psychotic Disorders: Enhancing Treatment Safety and Understanding Heterogeneity Through Biomarkers, Genetic Analysis, and Multimodal Data Integration
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Dan Siskind
-
Doctor Philosophy
Genetic architecture of differences in symptomatology and treatment response in major depressive disorder
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nick Martin, Associate Professor Miguel Rentería
-
Doctor Philosophy
Genetic and environmental risk factors influencing mood disorders
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Genetic and environmental risk factors influencing mood disorders
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Statistical Genetic Analyses of Major Depressive Disorder
Associate Advisor
Completed supervision
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the influence of genetics and heritability on the heterogeneity of ADHD presentations
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Naomi Wray
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Motivated cognition and genetics: A psychological perspective on public understanding of behaviour genetics
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Fiona Barlow, Dr Lucia Colodro-Conde
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluation of the obesity paradox in diabetes: a longitudinal case control study
Principal Advisor
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Forensically Relevant Applications of Genome-Wide Association Studies
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nick Martin
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Embracing Complexity in Psychiatric Genetics: Investigating Heterogeneity and Pleiotropy in Depression and Major Psychiatric Disorders
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Enda Byrne
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Genetic influences on substance use behaviour, substance use disorders and psychiatric disorders
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Naomi Wray, Professor Nick Martin, Dr Lucia Colodro-Conde
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Mapping the Genetic Architecture of Subcortical Brain Anatomy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nick Martin
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
The genetics of complex human behaviour: Cannabis use, personality, sexuality and mating
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nick Martin
Media
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