A new grant will allow Yale Psychiatry researchers to continue and expand the work begun by the late Robert T. Malison, MD, professor of psychiatry.
The Robert T. Malison Yale-Chulalongkorn Stress, Alcohol Use and Psychopathology Training Program seeks to extend the work that Dr. Malison and Joel Gelernter, MD, Foundations Fund Professor of Psychiatry and Professor of Genetics and of Neuroscience, spearheaded and had been conducting for decades prior to Dr. Malison’s unexpected passing in July 2020. Marc Potenza, PhD, MD, Albert E Kent Professor of Psychiatry and Professor in the Child Study Center and of Neuroscience is a principal investigator on the grant alongside Gelernter.
Gelernter and Malison collaborated for over 20 years, studying the molecular genetics of addiction using several approaches, including the distinctive approach of evaluating population isolates with high rates of substance use disorders, as well as the larger Thai population.
The D43 grant will allow for a consequential transition to new areas of study, with a focus on trauma- and stress-related disorders, and will incorporate new collaborations in Thailand and through research groups involved with the World Health Organization (WHO), Gelernter said. The work will be accomplished through a partnership between Yale and the Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Medicine in Bangkok, the lead Thai site and a leading medical research center in Thailand, as well as new collaborators Phramongkutklao Hospital and Medical College in Bangkok and Prince of Songkla University in Hat Yai.
“Bob’s impact will be felt at Chulalongkorn and other institutions in Thailand for many, many years to come. It’s a great honor for both of us to be able to continue the work in a program that now bears his name,” Gelernter said.
Rasmon Kalayasiri, MD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, a former mentee of Malison and the lead on the project in Thailand, recalled her mentor’s dedication to strengthen psychiatric genetics and addiction neurobiology in her country.
“Bob built the foundation for the practice of addiction genetics and neurobiology research in Thailand for 20 years,” Kalayasiri said. “This grant is a great opportunity to make his legacy live on. New trainees and students will have opportunity to continue studying epidemiology, neurobiology and genetics of trauma- and alcohol-related disorders and produce more scientific knowledge to the world.”
Potenza recalled that Malison had a “certain joie de vivre, and a deep, rich laugh,” and remembered him as a “great scientist, wonderful mentor and collaborator.” While saddened by Malison’s loss, Potenza said he’s grateful for the opportunity to carry on his legacy.
“This grant is important to me to continue the work that Bob and Joel had initiated and have been conducting, initially with a focus on drug use disorders and genetics, but now expanding into other areas. This training grant represents the next step in the evolution in this process. Specifically, the new focus on stress-related and alcohol use disorders using multiple experimental approaches will help build research infrastructure in Thailand and improve the public health of individuals there,” he said.