Speakers / Zachary A. Kaminsky
Zachary A. Kaminsky
DIFD-Mach-Gaensslen Chair in Suicide Prevention Research, Institute of Mental Health Research, The Royal
Biography
Zachary Kaminsky received his PhD from the University of Toronto in 2008 and trained in one of the first labs studying epigenetics in psychiatry. In 2010, he developed a research program at Johns Hopkins using genome-wide DNA methylation microarrays to study brain and peripheral samples in PPD, suicide, and PTSD, generating some of the first epigenetic biomarkers in psychiatry. As Chair of Suicide Prevention Research at The Royal’s IMHR, Kaminsky studies human populations to better understand both the molecular epigenetic underpinnings of psychiatric phenotypes and environmental stressors influencing their development, enabling true “bench to bedside” translational findings. Kaminsky’s research applies artificial intelligence driven natural language processing techniques to social media data, predicting future risk of suicidal thoughts/behaviors and developing novel, digitally delivered suicide interventions. As a member of Suicide Prevention Ottawa, Kaminsky is involved in the implementation of suicide prevention initiatives for suicidal youth in clinical populations.