Iuliana Ionita-Laza, PhD, focuses her research in the area of statistical genetics and, in particular, the development of statistical and computational methods for problems arising in human genetics. She is currently working on the optimal design of genetic variation discovery studies using the new sequencing technologies, methods for the analysis of copy-number variation data, methods to test for the effect of rare variants in complex traits, and two-stage designs in genome-wide association studies. On the applied side, Dr. Ionita-Laza is actively involved in a study investigating the effect of copy-number variants in childhood asthma as well as genetic studies on bipolar disorder and lung cancer.