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Thomas Fernandez, MD

Associate Professor In the Child Study Center and in Psychiatry
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Additional Titles

Vice Chair for Research, Child Study Center

Co-Director of the Tic and OCD Program, Child Study Center

Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health

About

Titles

Associate Professor In the Child Study Center and in Psychiatry

Vice Chair for Research, Child Study Center; Co-Director of the Tic and OCD Program, Child Study Center; Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health

Biography

Dr. Fernandez is a child psychiatrist and psychiatric geneticist who has an active clinical practice and research laboratory. Tom is a graduate of Princeton University and Yale School of Medicine, with additional research training at the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Maryland. He completed residency training in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry in the Solnit Integrated Residency Program at Yale. As a faculty member in Yale Child Study Center and the Department of Psychiatry, Tom's research efforts include the following investigations into developmental neuropsychiatric disorders: (1) discovering genetic mutations in Tourette syndrome, motor stereotypies, obsessive-compulsive disorder, ADHD, and anxiety disorders using next generation DNA sequencing (whole genome and exome), and using these discoveries to identify treatment targets; (2) discovering epigenetic marker variation in these disorders; and (3) clinical trials of new behavioral and medication treatments. Tom has received research funding from the NIMH (K08, R01), Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (NARSAD), Simons Foundation, and Allison Family Foundation. Additionally, Tom works clinically as an attending in the Tourette/OCD/ADHD Clinic at Yale Child Study Center.

Appointments

Other Departments & Organizations

Education & Training

Fellowship
Yale Child Study Center (2012)
Residency
Yale-New Haven Hospital (2011)
Residency
Yale-New Haven Hospital (2010)
MD
Yale University School of Medicine (2005)
BA
Princeton University, Psychology (1997)

Research

Overview

Dr. Fernandez's current focus is to discover which combinations of genes are underlying risk for these disorders in individuals and extended families. There are multiple pathways to this type of discovery, including identification of discrete genetic sequence changes in those with disease (using whole-exome and whole-genome DNA sequencing), detecting deletions and duplications that encompass larger regions of human chromosomes (using DNA sequencing and microarray technologies), and finding markers on DNA that regulate gene expression but do not alter the genetic sequence or structure (i.e. epigenetic markers that are dynamic throughout development). The end goal of this research is to identify networks of genes that increase risk for illness and teach us larger lessons about underlying disease biology that can be leveraged for improving diagnosis and treatment.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)

Anxiety Disorders; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Child Psychiatry; Compulsive Behavior; Genetics; Genetics, Behavioral; Obsessive Behavior; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Psychiatry; Stereotyped Behavior; Stereotypic Movement Disorder; Tic Disorders; Tourette Syndrome; Trichotillomania

Research at a Glance

Yale Co-Authors

Frequent collaborators of Thomas Fernandez's published research.

Publications

2024

2023

Clinical Trials

Current Trials

Academic Achievements & Community Involvement

  • activity

    American College of Neuropsychopharmacology

  • activity

    International College of Neuropsychopharmacology

  • activity

    American Society of Human Genetics

  • activity

    Yale School of Medicine, Office of Physician-Scientist and Scientist Development (OPSSD) Advisory Council

  • activity

    Yale School of Medicine, Precision Medicine Search Committee

Clinical Care

Overview

Clinical Specialties

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; Psychiatry

Board Certifications

  • Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

    Certification Organization
    AB of Psychiatry & Neurology
    Latest Certification Date
    2019
    Original Certification Date
    2012
  • Psychiatry

    Certification Organization
    AB of Psychiatry & Neurology
    Latest Certification Date
    2022
    Original Certification Date
    2011

Get In Touch

Contacts

Academic Office Number
Appointment Number
Office Fax Number
Clinic Fax Number

Locations

  • Neison Irving Harris Building

    Academic Office

    230 South Frontage Road

    New Haven, CT 06519

  • Patient Care Locations

    Are You a Patient? View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.

Events