David Howard Email & Phone Number

London, Gb

London Area, United Kingdom

London, United Kingdom

I was awarded a Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellowship which has provided me with independent funding to undertake a prescribed research proposal at King’s College London. The aims of the research proposal are to examine multiple genetic factors to identify subgroups within depression cases. I have also examined the role of DNA methylation in the onset of depression and potential early life risk factors and am currently conducting research on cross-ancestry prediction using polygenic scores. During the fellowship, I have supervised a research assistant and PhD and MSc students. I have also fulfilled the role of postdoctoral representative, chaired large meetings, organised journal club and arranged presentations from world-renowned scientists. I contribute to postgraduate teaching through tutoring, marking, and lecturing. I have also played a key role in delivering public engagement activities.I have also been elected as a member of the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics Membership Committee and a member of World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics Program Committee.

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

During this fellowship I was principally focused on the genetic analyses of depression, including undertaking the largest genome-wide association study of depression to date (meta-analysis of 246k cases, 561k controls, identifying 102 significant variants).It was been a highly productive fellowship yielding four 1st author manuscripts and with results presented at international meetings, including International Conference of Quantitative Genetics, World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics (WCPG), and the MQ Annual Science Meeting.During this time, I have successfully applied for a Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellowship, a NARSAD Young Investigator Grant, four travel grants, and won an oral presentation prize at the WCPG.I have developed ongoing collaborations resulting in co-authorships on multiple published papers. Additionally, I have provided support to five PhD students in their work providing direct support, suggesting additional avenues for investigation and providing feedback on written and presented material.I also greatly enjoy public engagement and participating in the forthcoming “I’m a Scientist, get me out of here” event which facilitates interaction between school children and scientists.

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

My PhD was a BBSRC Case Studentship undertaken as an industrial collaboration with Genus plc.During the course of my research I was selected to make oral presentations at the 10th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production in Vancouver, Canada and at the 64th Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science in Nantes, France.I have completed training in effective communication, public engagement and multiple programming languages and delivered tutorials during the Quantitative Genetic and Genome Analysis MSc course.Thesis Title - Managing genomic diversity in the course of selectionThesis synopsis - To quantify the inherent weakness of using pedigree relationships to manage diversity during selection. To determine the selective advantage provided by a state of the art, optimal contribution based selection algorithm. To develop a genomic Optimal Contribution algorithm. To identify lethal recessive haplotypes, which potentially are the result of a failure to effectively manage diversity.

Cirencester

BSc (Hons) Equine Management, First ClassMy undergraduate course covered a wide range of biological science and business management modules. Subjects studied include: Equine Science, Animal Science, Equine Evolutionary Anatomy, Equine Production, Equine Behaviour and Welfare and Equine Breeding and Genetics. I was elected as the course representative and was awarded the Arthur Jones medal for outstanding academic achievement.

I was employed to diversify the business and generate new income streams, whilst working to tight budgetary constraints. This was achieved by establishing new relationships with commercial partners including St. James’s Place, Ladbrokes, Travelscope and The Queen’s Hotel, Cheltenham. I also oversaw the development of a new e-commerce website. I was also responsible for all procurement and stock control in addition to the general day to day management of the core retail business.

As a Trading Manager, I was responsible for increasing the sales and profitability of the store as well as undertaking the role and responsibilities of a duty manager. I was responsible for the recruitment, appraisals, personal development and the work schedules for my team. I later undertook the position of Replenishment Leader in which I was responsible for a team of over 30 people, for the restocking and the presentational standards of a £25M turnover store, which was the largest store in the estate at that time.

Wellington, Somerset

I held a position of high responsibility within a large racing yard and demonstrated high levels of motivation, commitment and hard work as well as developing a keen understanding of horses. Alongside my riding, I developed my own website, which provided information about my riding career. This also led to me developing a number of websites for racehorse trainers and racing organisations.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Phd), Animal Genetics

Bachelor Of Science (Bsc), Equine Management, First

Nvq, Racehorse Care

A - Levels, Mathematics; Economics & Physics