About Our Research
The Research on Preventable Death Outcomes and Women's Health (ROW Lab), led by principal investigator Emily DiBlasi, PhD, explores gender-specific risk factors in preventable death outcomes and women's health across the lifespan, aiming to uncover the associated biological underpinnings.
Identifying Suicide and Overdose Risk Factors in Women
Individuals that die by suicide or overdose comprise a high-risk group in which the comprehensive identification of risk factors is urgently needed to reduce rising mortality rates, mitigate health disparities, and inform the development of interventions. We use genomic, epidemiological, data science and familial modeling techniques with multidimensional data (electronic health records, extensive genealogical records, sociodemographic variables, medical examiner reports) to identify precise features specific to high-risk subgroups with potential for targeted interventions.
Learn more about our research
Project 1
Comprehensive Characterization of Preventable Death Outcomes in Women
In the last two decades, rates of suicide and accidental overdose deaths have significantly increased, especially among women. Most prior studies have focused on non-lethal suicide and overdose behaviors in men introducing a critical gap in research on women-specific risk factors. Women often face unique biological, behavioral, environmental, sociocultural and structural factors when compared with men. We examine risk-factors specific to and prevalent in women through comprehensive phenotyping, subtyping and examining risk trajectories across lifespan (e.g. perinatal period, menopause, ect.).
Project 2
Clinical and Genetic Subtyping of Suicide and Overdose death
Mental health-related deaths are multifaceted, and a one-size-fits-all prevention approach is insufficient in reducing mortality rates. Recognizing the heterogeneity within those that have died, tailored prevention and treatment strategies may be crucial for specific subgroups of individuals. Our focus lies in characterizing the clinical and genetic risk factors present within individuals diagnosed with chronic pain, borderline personality disorder, and substance use disorders. By delineating the diagnostic and genetic risk profiles inherent to these groups, we aim to inform and guide the development of targeted interventions, ultimately enhancing our ability to address the unique challenges faced by each subgroup effectively.
Project 3
Genetic Discovery in Suicide Related Phenotypes
Ongoing work is focused on understanding the genetic risk factors associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviors. We assess genetic cross-connections between suicide death and other mental and physical health conditions. The ROW lab has a particular focus on rarer forms of genetic variation including SNVs and structural variants as well as familial aggregation of genetic risk. Taken together the genetic findings highlight the complex interplay between genetics and environmental factors in suicide risk and pave the way for better prediction and prevention strategies.
Collaborators
- UU Rehabilitation Psychology Clinic
- UU Pain Management Center
- Utah Suicide Mortality Risk Study (USMRS)
Meet our research team
Principal Investigator
Emily DiBlasi, PhD
Dr. DiBlasi is a Research Assistant Professor of Psychiatry. Her research focuses on the discovery of risk factors in preventable death outcomes. She applies her expertise in genetics and complex trait modeling to the study of neuropsychiatric traits to aid suicide and overdose prevention efforts.
Lab members
Sam Webster
Selected Publications
- DiBlasi E, Kaufman EA, Webster S, Hagn EE, Shabalin AA, Chen D, Han S, Jawish R, Monson ET, Staley MJ, Keeshin BR, Docherty AR, Bakian AV, Okifuji A, Coon H (2024). Phenome-wide diagnostic comparison among suicide deaths and living individuals with chronic pain diagnoses.BMC Med,22(1), 568. (Read full article)
- Kaufman EA, Coon H, Shabalin AA, Monson ET, Chen D, Staley MJ, Keeshin BR, Docherty AR, Bakian AV,DiBlasi E(2024). Diagnostic profiles among suicide decedents with and without borderline personality disorder.Psychol Med, 1-10. (Read full article)
- Han S,DiBlasi E, Monson ET, Shabalin A, Ferris E, Chen D, Fraser A, Yu Z, Staley M, Callor WB, Christensen ED, Crockett DK, Li QS, Willour V, Bakian AV, Keeshin B, Docherty AR, Eilbeck K, Coon H (2023). Whole-genome sequencing analysis of suicide deaths integrating brain-regulatory eQTLs data to identify risk loci and genes.Mol Psychiatry,28(9), 3909-3919. (Read full article)
- Li QS, Shabalin AA,DiBlasi E, Gopal S, Canuso CM, FinnGen International Suicide Genetics Consortium, Palotie A, Drevets WC, Docherty AR, Coon H (2022). Genome-wide association study meta-analysis of suicide death and suicidal behavior.Mol Psychiatry,28(2), 891-900. (Read full article)
- Coon H, Shabalin A, Bakian AV,DiBlasi E, Monson ET, Kirby A, Chen D, Fraser A, Yu Z, Staley M, Callor WB, Christensen ED, Crowell SE, Gray D, Crockett DK, Li QS, Keeshin B, Docherty AR (2022). Extended familial risk of suicide death is associated with younger age at death and elevated polygenic risk of suicide.Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet,189(3-4), 60-73. (Read full article)
- Docherty AR, Bakian AV,DiBlasi E, Shabalin AA, Chen D, Keeshin B, Monson E, Christensen ED, Li Q, Gray D, Coon H (2021). Suicide and Psychosis: Results From a Population-Based Cohort of Suicide Death (N = 4380).Schizophr Bull,48(2), 457-462. (Read full article)
- Docherty A, Kious B, Brown T, Francis L, Stark L, Keeshin B, Botkin J,DiBlasi E, Gray D, Coon H (2021). Ethical concerns relating to genetic risk scores for suicide.Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet,186(8), 433-444. (Read full article)
- Monson ET, Shabalin AA, Docherty AR,DiBlasi E, Bakian AV, Li QS, Gray D, Keeshin B, Crowell SE, Mullins N, Willour VL, Coon H (2021). Assessment of suicide attempt and death in bipolar affective disorder: a combined clinical and genetic approach.Transl Psychiatry,11(1), 379. (Read full article)
- William N, Reissner C, Sargent R, Darlington TM,DiBlasi E, Li QS, Keeshin B, Callor WB, Ferris E, Jerominski L, Smith KR, Christensen ED, Gray DM, Camp NJ, Missler M, Williams ME, Coon H (2021). Neurexin 1 variants as risk factors for suicide death.Mol Psychiatry,26, 7436-7445. (Read full article)
- DiBlasi E, Shabalin AA, Monson ET, Keeshin BR, Bakian AV, Kirby AV, Ferris E, Chen D, William N, Gaj E, Klein M, Jerominski L, Callor WB, Christensen E, Smith KR, Fraser A, Yu Z, Gray D, PsychChip Investigators of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, Camp NJ, Stahl EA, Li QS, Docherty AR, Coon H (2021). Rare protein-coding variants implicate genes involved in risk of suicide death.Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet,186(8), 508-520. (Read full article)
- Coon H, Darlington TM,DiBlasi E, Callor WB, Ferris E, Fraser A, Yu Z, William N, Das SC, Crowell SE, Chen D, Anderson JS, Klein M, Jerominski L, Cannon D, Shabalin A, Docherty A, Williams M, Smith KR, Keeshin B, Bakian AV, Christensen E, Li QS, Camp NJ, Gray D (2018). Genome-wide significant regions in 43 Utah high-risk families implicate multiple genes involved in risk for completed suicide.Mol Psychiatry,25(11), 3077-3090. (Read full article)
- DiBlasi E, Kirby AV, Gaj E, Docherty AR, Keeshin BR, Bakian AV, Coon H (2020). Brief Report: Genetic Links Between Autism and Suicidal Behavior-A Preliminary Investigation.J Autism Dev Disord,50(10), 3525-3530. (Read full article)
- Docherty AR, Shabalin AA,DiBlasi E, Monson E, Mullins N, Adkins DE, Bacanu SA, Bakian AV, Crowell S, Chen D, Darlington TM, Callor WB, Christensen ED, Gray D, Keeshin B, Klein M, Anderson JS, Jerominski L, Hayward C, Porteous DJ, McIntosh A, Li Q, Coon H (2020). Genome-Wide Association Study of Suicide Death and Polygenic Prediction of Clinical Antecedents.Am J Psychiatry,177(10), 917-927. (Read full article)
- Anderson JS, Shade J,DiBlasi E, Shabalin AA, Docherty AR (2018). Polygenic risk scoring and prediction of mental health outcomes.Curr Opin Psychol,27, 77-81. (Read full article)
Emily Diblasi, MD
Principal Investigator