We have a new line of research focused on identifying the genetic basis of rhythm and exploring potentially shared architecture with other communication traits (like language) and health traits and related neural endophenotypes. This research also includes new genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on language phenotypes. These projects are supported by a multitude of big data resources, including: Vanderbilt’s BioVU and Synthetic Derivative, the eMERGE consortium, and the ENIGMA consortium. Our lab also takes part in two international consortia: the EEG-ENIGMA working group and the GenLang consortium.
Through collaborations with Vanderbilt Genetics Institute (VGI) faculty involved in these projects, including Dr. Nancy Cox, Dr. Lea Davis, Dr. Maria Niarchou, and Dr. Jennifer (Piper) Below, our team members (including new postdoctoral trainees) will have the opportunity to learn cutting edge genomic analysis methods and apply them in novel ways to data associated with speech/language, music, and brain phenotypes. Dr. Gordon has a faculty appointment at the VGI, and is currently supported by an NIH mentored training award (K18) focused on statistical genetics. Please see https://www.vumc.org/music-cognition-lab/new-several-open-postdoctoral-positions for more information about new genetics-focused postdoctoral opportunities!
Research trainees at all levels (undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral) working in the Music Cognition Lab on genetics projects will have opportunities to interact regularly with VGI collaborators and to work with Vanderbilt biobank data. These new projects also encompass collaborative relationships with investigators at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in Nijmegen, Netherlands, the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, and the CNRS in Lyon, France. Please contact Dr. Gordon at reyna.gordon@vanderbilt.edu if you'd like more information about our Genetics projects!