Thomas Fernandez, MD
Associate Professor In the Child Study Center and in PsychiatryCards
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
Child Study Center
Associate Professor on TermFully JointPsychiatry
Associate Professor on TermFully Joint
Other Departments & Organizations
- Center for Biomedical Data Science
- Center for Brain & Mind Health
- Child Study Center
- Fernandez Lab
- Neuroscience Research Training Program (NRTP)
- Program in Neurodevelopment and Regeneration
- Psychiatry
- Tic Disorder & Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Program
- Yale Medicine
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 Research Interests
Public Health Interests
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
Clinical Care
Overview
Clinical Specialties
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
News & Links
News
- August 05, 2024
ADHD and DNA: Bedside-to-bench, International Study Sheds Light on Genetics
- July 08, 2024
2024 trainee pilot research award recipients announced
- May 10, 2024
Autism conference at Yale highlights latest research & clinical advances
- April 12, 2024
Spring 2024 postgraduate associate travel award recipients announced