Home Department: Human Biology
Supported by: Pitch Johnson
Mentor: Joachim Hallmayer, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Cheri Dijamco graduated from Stanford this past spring with a B.A. in Human Biology. She is originally from Houston, Texas. For Bio-X, this summer, Cheri is investigating the role of CAG/CTG trinucleotide repeat expansions in bipolar candidate genes to determine if these dynamic mutations influence anticipation, which is characterized by earlier age-at-onset and increased severity of a disorder with each subsequent generation. Since early detection and intervention of bipolar disorder is key, Cheri hopes her research will benefit families by providing insight on the genetic basis of bipolar disorder in order to improve its future identification and treatment.

Poster presented at the Stanford Bio-X Interdisciplinary Initiatives Symposium on August 25, 2010:

Exploration of ERDA1, SEF2-1B, and MAB21L Trinucleotide Repeat Expansion Influence on Anticipation in Pediatric Bipolar Disorder

Cheri Ann Dijamco, B.A., Meghan Howe, M.S.W., Kiki Chang, M.D., Joachim Hallmayer, M.D.
[Division of Psychiatry, Stanford University School of Medicine]