Rate My Professor Gemma Sharp

Professor Gemma Sharp is a Professor of Epidemiology in the School of Psychology at the University of Exeter. She earned her PhD in Reproductive Biology from the University of Edinburgh, MSc in Reproduction and Development from the University of Bristol, and BSc in Biology from Cardiff University. Before joining the University of Exeter in January 2023, she worked for nine years at the University of Bristol's MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit as a researcher. In her current role, she serves as Co-Director of Research and Impact for the School of Psychology and co-leads the Exeter Women's Health Research Group alongside Professor Sarah Dean and Dr Emma Pitchforth.

Gemma Sharp's research specializations include women's mental health, reproductive health, and early life influences on health outcomes. She founded and directs the 4M Consortium (Menarche, Menstruation, Menopause, and Mental Health), launched in 2021, which unites researchers from GW4 universities and beyond to investigate intersections between menstrual health and mental health using genetic and epigenetic methods. Notable publications encompass 'Epigenetic Signatures of Cigarette Smoking' (Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics, 2016), 'Menarche, Menstruation, Menopause and Mental Health (4M): A GW4 allied health research consortium' (Frontiers in Global Women's Health, 2023), 'A meta-analysis of epigenome-wide association studies on pregnancy vitamin B12 concentrations and offspring DNA methylation' (Clinical Epigenetics, 2023), and 'Maternal educational attainment in pregnancy and epigenome-wide DNA methylation in offspring' (Molecular Psychiatry, 2024). She has obtained grants including GW4 BioMed2 MRC DTP studentships for menstrual health research and collaborates on projects with partners like the Clue menstrual health app. Sharp teaches in the School of Psychology, supervises PhD students, and contributes to public impact through studies on heavy periods' effects on school attendance and grades.