Robert Stowe

The MAGERS (Metabolic and Genetic Explorations in Refractory Schizophrenia) is a multi-layered omics and genetic counselling (Prescilla Carrion, Co-Project Lead) research project in treatment-resistant schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder based on the BCPP. Utilizing extensive clinical, genomic and epigenetic, biochemical, and immunological profiling (involving five BC and several US hospital laboratories, and research and bioinformatics collaborations on the UBC campus, the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Victoria, and University of Alberta) and detailed genotype-phenotype correlation, this project aims to identify the key pathophysiological derangements driving psychosis in individual patients, facilitating the development of precision medicine strategies for psychosis that does not respond to standard treatments.

I am a co-investigator on Dr. Jan Friedman’s Genetic Alterations in Rare Diseases research protocol, and in close collaboration with Drs. Monica Hrynchak and Agata Minor of the Fraser Health Molecular Cytogenetic Laboratory, review chromosomal microarray data in individuals with neurodevelopmental and major psychiatric disorders for genotype-phenotype correlation and development of precision-medicine focused translational research collaborations.

MAGERS team: 

MAGERS Project Co-Lead: Prescilla Carrion, MSc, CGC, CCGC

MAGERS Project Genetic Counsellor: Courtney Cook, MSc

MAGERS Project Research Assistant/Coordinator: Hilary Williams, BSc

MAGERS Project Research Assistant: Natasha Verzosa