Jan Fullerton

Background

About Jan Fullerton

After completing her undergraduate studies at The University of Melbourne, Jan commenced her PhD in human genetics in 1993, at the Murdoch Childrens’ Research Institute, under the tutelage of Doctor Sue Forrest and Professor Bob Williamson. After competing her PhD in 2001, Jan then spent five years as a postdoctoral researcher with Professor Jonathan Flint at The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford (UK), where she developed her career interest in psychiatric genetics. That work focused particularly around complex trait genetic analysis to identify genes contributing to personality, depression and anxiety in both humans and mice. She returned to Australia at the end of 2004 on a 2-year NHMRC Howard Florey Fellowship, which allowed her to join the laboratory of Professor Peter Schofield at the Garvan Institute for Medical Research, which then relocated to the Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute (now known as Neuroscience Research Australia) in 2006. In this role, Jan’s research has focused on the genetics of both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. In 2013, Jan was promoted to Research Fellow and Group Leader, where she heads a number of projects in gene discovery, and examining the role of genes in risk of major psychiatric conditions. Research goals: My experience in neuro-psychiatric genetics and quantitative trait analysis has allowed me to develop a career aimed at demystifying the functioning of the human brain, by improving our understanding of the biological basis of mental illness. My ultimate objective is to improve treatment of psychiatric disorders through these discoveries, and help break down the prejudice and discrimination suffered by those with mental illness.