Mutations in DDX3X have recently been identified as a common single-gene cause of unexplained Intellectual Disability (ID) in females. Girls and young women with DDX3X mutations experience higher levels of anxiety, self-injurious behaviour and autistic characteristics compared to females with other single-gene causes of ID. My research focuses on understanding anxiety and related characteristics in DDX3X. In particular, I am interested in exploring possible biobehavioural and cognitive mechanisms underlying developmental vulnerability for anxiety disorders in DDX3X. 

Beyond DDX3X, I am also interested in understanding social, emotional and behavioural characteristics of young people with genetic disorders and ID, and the wider experiences of these individuals and their families. In my previous work, I have explored predictors of autism characteristics in single-gene causes of ID.  I have also explored the experiences of families of young people with rare neurogenetic disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK, using both quantitative and qualitative methods. 

My research is supervised by Dr Kate Baker and is funded by the Medical Research Council.