My research focuses on identifying risk factors that predispose younger individuals to stroke and cardiovascular disease. Currently, my group is studying the genetic epidemiology of hemorrhagic stroke and modifiers of outcome after hemorrhage or treatment in patients with brain vascular malformations. I collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary group of investigators at the UCSF Center for Cerebrovascular Research, Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland, Duke University, and the University of New Mexico. Several large case-cohort studies of brain arteriovenous malformations, subarachnoid hemorrhage, cerebral cavernous malformations, and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia are underway. These vascular-related disorders, while distinct, share to some degree similar clinical symptoms and features. We are taking both candidate gene and genome-wide approaches to identify genetic factors associated with disease susceptibility and progression, including SNP and expression arrays, and next-gen sequencing. Additional research interests include investigating approaches for population stratification, multivariate phenotypes, admixture mapping, and gene-gene and gene-environment interactions.