My research is focused on the interplay between genetic variation and human behavior, exploring how DNA shapes our unique personalities and traits. While psychology and neuroscience have made major strides in categorizing human behavior, relatively little is known about the underlying biology. Leveraging cutting-edge computational techniques and biobank datasets, I develop novel phenotyping approaches to characterize genetic patterns associated with behavioral profiles. My graduate research has focused on elucidating the genetic architecture of language abilities, human migratory behavior, and their intersection with psychiatric risk factors. Through the power of big data and deep phenotyping, I aim to bridge the gap between observable behaviors and their genetic underpinnings. This research not only contributes to our understanding of human diversity but will hopefully lead to a better appreciation of individual differences and inform personalized interventions.

Publications:

L. G. Casten, T. Koomar, M. Elsadany, et al., “Lingo: an automated, web-based deep phenotyping platform for language ability”, medRxiv, 2024. T. Koomar*, L. G. Casten*, T. R. Thomas, et al., “Whole genome sequencing illuminates the developmental signatures of human language ability”, medRxiv, 2024. PMCID: PMC10996758

L. G. Casten, T. R. Thomas, A. F. Doobay, et al., “The combination of autism and exceptional cognitive ability is associated with suicidal ideation”, Neurobiology of learning and memory, vol. 197, p. 107 698, 2023. Co-author publications: B. MR. Argue, L. G. Casten, S. McCool, et al., “Patterns of Immune Dysregulation in Bipolar Disorder”, medRxiv, 2024. PMCID: PMC10088461

A. Alrfooh, L. G. Casten, J. G. Richards, et al., “Investigating the relationship between DNA methylation, genetic variation, and suicide attempt in bipolar disorder”, medRxiv, 2024. PMID: 38633806

G. I. Harmata, E. J. Barsotti, L. G. Casten, et al., “Cerebellar Morphological Differences and Associations with Extrinsic Factors in Bipolar Disorder Type I,” Journal of Affective Disorders, 2023. PMCID: PMC10529949

T. R. Thomas, L. G. Casten, J. J. Michaelson, “Environmental adversity moderates polygenic score effects on childhood behavioral problems in the United States”, medRxiv, pp. 2023-6, 2023. 

T. R. Thomas, T. Koomar, L. G. Casten, et al., “Clinical autism subscales have common genetic liabilities that are heritable, pleiotropic, and generalizable to the general population,” Translational psychiatry, vol. 12, no. 1, p. 247, 2022. PMCID: PMC9192633

B. G. McKenna, Y. Huang, ..., L. G. Casten, et al., “Genetic and morphological estimates of androgen exposure predict social deficits in multiple neurodevelopmental disorder cohorts,” Molecular autism, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 1–18, 2021. PMCID: PMC8190870

J. J. Michaelson, A. Doobay, L. Casten, et al., “A discrepancy between processing speed and verbal ability in gifted youth is genetically and diagnostically associated with autism,” medRxiv, 2021.

Honors/Awards:

Poster presentation, American Society of Human Genetics (2024)

Poster presentation award, UIowa Computational Psychiatry Symposium (2024)

Oral presentation, World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics (2023)

Oral presentation award, UIowa Genetics Retreat (2023)

T32 NIH Training Grant, University of Iowa (T32GM008629) (2021-2022)