In May 2020, one of our BDRN research team members, Dr Katie Lewis received the news that she was awarded a Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellowship. This scheme offers recently qualified postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to start independent research careers, working in some of the best research environments in the world. During her fellowship, Katie will receive training and spend time with other research groups at the University of Oxford, University of Bristol and Harvard University.
In the fellowship, Katie will be investigating the complex relationship between sleep and mood disorders. Katie said ‘I will look at how sleep could be a cause or precursor of mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. However, there is still much we do not understand about the complex relationship between sleep and mood. For example, are sleep problems a cause or effect of mood disorders? Why do sleep problems affect mood in some people more than others?
To investigate these questions, I will analyse genetic, sleep and mood data from large populations of people with and without mood disorders. This will involve cutting-edge methods for measuring sleep and mood. Results from this work will impact our current understanding of the role sleep disturbance plays in the onset and recurrence of mood disorders, in addition to informing mental health interventions and treatments.’
As part of her fellowship, Katie will be analysing ongoing data being provided by BDRN participants using the True Colours mood monitoring tool. She would like to thank everyone who has been involved in our BDRN research to date and looks forward to giving more updates on the findings from her fellowship!
Find out more about how you can join BDRN True Colours here. http://bdrn.org/research/true-colours/
