GP2 Trainee Network

My name is Kathryn, and I am a GP2-funded PhD student at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. My research focuses on association studies aimed at identifying susceptibility variants for Parkinson’s disease (PD) within underrepresented African populations. I am particularly interested in utilizing these findings to develop risk prediction models that can aid in early detection and intervention of PD.

Being part of the GP2 Trainee Network has provided me with incredible opportunities for collaboration, access to resources, and the chance to learn from a global community of researchers. I am passionate about advancing PD genetics research, especially within African cohorts, to ensure greater representation in global studies.

As an African Trainee Representative, I aim to connect trainees in the region with the resources and support they need to thrive. Please feel free to reach out with any questions – I’d be happy to assist or collaborate with you!

My name is Yasser Mecheri. I work as a neurology lecturer at Constantine 3 University, Algeria, and I hold a Master’s degree in Genetics. I am a GP2-funded PhD student aiming to study the genetic architecture of Parkinson’s disease in the North African population, with a focus on monogenic forms and potential risk factors.

Joining the GP2 Trainee Network has been one of the most impactful experiences in my career. It has allowed me to connect with other researchers who share similar interests and to receive outstanding mentorship and guidance. I have really benefited from the resources, learning activities, and research opportunities offered through the network.

As an African Trainee Representative, my goal is to help other trainees integrate into the network activities and take full advantage of the learning and collaboration opportunities available. Please don’t hesitate to join our wonderful and growing community – I would be thrilled to hear from you and assist in any way I can.

My name is Lucas Faria, and I am a GP2-funded PhD student in Bioinformatics at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a master’s degree in Bioinformatics, also from UFMG. My research focuses on understanding the dynamics of admixture in admixed populations and investigating its impact on complex phenotypes such as Parkinson’s disease (PD).

I learned about GP2 through Dr. Thiago Peixoto, a postdoctoral fellow bioinformatician in the Mata Lab, led by Dr. Ignacio F. Mata. This connection introduced me to the valuable resources and collaborative environment GP2 offers to researchers working on PD genetics. If you are based in Latin America and would like to learn more about GP2 or discuss bioinformatics topics, please feel free to reach out to me.

My name is Elías, and I am a movement disorders neurologist at the University of Concepción, Chile. I am beginning a GP2-funded PhD in Applied Science to Adult Health at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil.

Throughout my training, I developed a keen interest in genetic diseases, though access to genetic studies in Chile has been limited. I joined GP2 through Dr. Paula Saffie, the former Latin American Trainee Representative. GP2 has provided valuable learning opportunities and enabled me to integrate genetic research into the PD population I serve. Currently, I am the principal investigator for the LARGE-PD study, and my PhD research focuses on genetics and ancestry within a highly indigenous and underrepresented population.

As a Trainee Representative in Latin America, I invite anyone interested in GP2 training opportunities to connect with Lucas and me. We are here to support trainees in the region and facilitate access to GP2’s resources and collaborative network.

I am Yi Wen, a PhD student in Malaysia, located within the Southeast Asia region. There is limited research on PD genetics in SEA, resulting in underrepresentation of Asian populations in PD genetics studies. Our group, led by Prof. Lim Shen-Yang at the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has been actively collaborating with GP2 since 2021.

Through this collaboration, I learned about the GP2 Trainee Network, where clinicians, researchers, and graduate students worldwide collaborate to advance our understanding of PD genetics. GP2 provides extensive training resources, with valuable lectures and learning materials on bioinformatics that benefit all trainees. Through this network, I aim to connect and unite Asian trainees working on PD genetics to enhance Asian representation in this field.

We are happy to welcome trainees from this region, so please do not hesitate to contact us via email or the GP2 Slack channel.

My name is Alexandra Zirra. I am from Romania and I am currently based in London, training as a doctor, on my way to becoming a neurologist. My interest in research led me to work on PD in the highly diverse East London population with Professor Alastair Noyce at Queen Mary University of London.

This is how I discovered GP2 and the GP2 Trainee Network, and all the great opportunities they offer for training and collaboration. As the Eastern Europe Trainee Representative, I would love to share these opportunities with other trainees. Do get in touch if you are a trainee in Eastern Europe.

My name is Solomiia Bandrivska, and I am a GP2-supported PhD student at University College London. I am also a specialist neurologist, holding a specialist licence in Ukraine and full medical registration in the UK. My academic and clinical interests focus on Parkinson’s disease genetics, with a particular passion for iPSCs, bioinformatics, and medical statistics.

I serve as Co-PI of the Ukrainian multicentre cohort for GP2, where I contributed to developing the research infrastructure from the ground up in a country facing the extraordinary challenges of war. This work has involved building collaborations, supporting patient recruitment, and helping to integrate Ukrainian participants into international Parkinson’s disease genetics research.

I am also proud to serve as a European Trainee Representative alongside Alex Zirra. In this role, I am keen to support trainees across the region, promote collaboration, and help others engage with research, training, and networking opportunities available through GP2.

My name is Victor, and I am a GP2-funded PhD student at QIMR Berghofer in Brisbane, Australia, enrolled at the University of Queensland. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Genomic Sciences from UNAM in Mexico. My research focuses on identifying genetic variants associated with familial Parkinson’s disease in individuals from underrepresented backgrounds.

I first joined GP2 as a trainee during the final year of my bachelor’s degree, working with the Mexican Network for Parkinson’s Disease Research. Being part of the GP2 Trainee Network has been crucial for my career, as it allowed me to secure funding for my PhD and connect with incredible researchers and students with whom I now collaborate. Through my day-to-day work and the training resources provided by the network, I have learned a lot and have even had the opportunity to contribute to teaching.

I’m always happy to welcome new trainees interested in getting involved in Parkinson’s disease research in Australia or New Zealand. Feel free to reach out if you’re interested.

My name is Konstantin Senkevich. I am a Medical Genetics & Genomics resident at McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, Canada, and a Research Associate at The Neuro. I completed my neurology training and PhD in Saint Petersburg, followed by postdoctoral training and a Movement Disorders fellowship in Canada.

My research focuses on the genetic architecture of Parkinson’s disease, with an emphasis on rare variant analysis, lysosomal and mitochondrial biology, and large-scale family-based studies aimed at identifying novel causative variants. I am particularly interested in combining deep phenotyping with rigorous statistical genetics to move beyond association toward mechanism.

Being part of GP2 has played an important role in my development as a clinician-scientist. The consortium provides access to large-scale datasets and a collaborative environment. As a North America Trainee Representative, I aim to help trainees navigate GP2 and connect with relevant working groups, collaborators, and resources. If you are based in North America, feel free to connect.

My name is Emily and I’m a Bioinformatics Technologist working at Cleveland Clinic in the United States. My research focuses on incorporating genetic ancestry and environmental variables into analyses of Parkinson’s disease risk in LARGE-PD. I’m also interested in investigating early onset and familial PD through whole-genome sequencing data.

I joined the GP2 Trainee Network in 2023, and through the network I have been connected with learning opportunities, research collaborations, and mentorship from experts in the field. Please feel free to reach out if you are based in the North American region and are interested in getting involved.