Reader of Genetics at the Department of Social Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London. 

Over the course of her career Sylvane has applied expertise in genetics and molecular and cell biology to understand how gene activity controls biological functions in organisms and systems of increasing complexity, from individual cells and unicellular organisms to organs, such as the mammary gland, and finally to the human brain. 

Since little is known about the genetic bases of brain structure and function, she has combined the tremendous advantages of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with genetics and molecular biological approaches to investigate brain-behaviour relationships and identify genes influencing brain development and function, focusing on typically developing individuals. She applies MRI to discover the genetic roots of neuroanatomic, neurophysiological and cognitive traits that may be disrupted in individuals suffering from major mental illnesses. Another aspect of her work is aimed at overall better understanding of the etiology of addiction to alcohol and other drugs and her research helps defining risk factors for alcohol-use disorders later in life, which is fundamental for the prevention of alcohol abuse in adolescents and treatment of alcoholism, both major unmet challenges affecting our health care system and society alike.

Dr. Quinlan holds a PhD in Neuroimaging and Biomedical Sciences and is a Lecturer at King’s College London. Dr. Quinlan supervises the recruitment that takes place at the London site and oversees the progress of all the European study sites too.

Dr. Robinson holds a PhD in Psychological Medicine. Dr. Robinson coordinates STRATIFY requests, coordinates the COVID-19 follow up and supervises the partner study ESTRA in London.