Kristin Young

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About

I am a genetic epidemiologist with training in population genetics, epidemiology, biostatistics, and clinical research. My anthropological background has guided my understanding of the impact of evolutionary forces on genetic variation within and between populations, as well as the interaction between cultural, environmental, and genetic factors on health and disease. This biocultural approach informs my research, which focuses on the genetic and environmental factors influencing chronic disease risk, with emphasis cardiometabolic traits in diverse populations. I integrate GWAS with multiomics approaches to identify disease biomarkers and characterize genetic architecture across populations. As an investigator in large-scale consortia including the Genetic Investigation of ANthropometric Traits (GIANT), the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology (CHARGE), and Population Architecture using Genomics and Epidemiology (PAGE), I have contributed to landmark studies of anthropometric and cardiometabolic phenotypes. A central component of my work addresses health disparities by advancing genomic research in populations historically underrepresented in genetic studies and increasing diversity in the genomics workforce. I am committed to training the next generation of genetic epidemiologists, having mentored over 50 master’s and doctoral students across programs in epidemiology, genetics, anthropology, and biostatistics.

Center Affiliation

• Border Health Research Center

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Research Interests

• Adolescent Health
• Aging / Gerontology
• Artificial Intelligence
• Biostatistics and Data Science
• Border Health
• Brain and Behavioral Health
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Community Health
• Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
• Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders
• Epidemiology
• Genetics and Multi-omics
• Global Health
• Infectious Disease
• Mental Health
• Population Health
• Social Determinants of Health
• Women’s Health