ProfessorJeffrey Craig

Prof Jeff Craig studies the role of epigenetics in mediating the effects of
early life environment on chronic disease risk. His expertise also includes
twin studies and birth cohorts.

Professor Jeff Craig is a lecturer in Medical Sciences at School of Medicine
at Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria. He has a BSc in Genetics and Cell
Biology from the University of Manchester, a PhD from the University of
Edinburgh and a Grad. Cert. in Higher Education Learning and Teaching from
Deakin. His research goal is to apply techniques of epigenetics and cell
biology to develop biomarkers of health and disease. This includes a focus on
the role of epigenetics in mediating the effects of early life environment on
the risk for chronic conditions.
Prof Craig is the Course Director for the Bachelor of Health and Medical
Sciences at Deakin's School of Medicine. He also lectures to several
undergraduate courses at Deakin and other universities. He bases his teaching
philosophy on knowledge, innovation, support and trust. He aims to inspire and
train students with skills that will enable them to be job ready. And to
think, reflect, challenge, and discover their innate skills.
Prof Craig has established many longitudinal cohorts in collaboration with
clinicians and epidemiologists. Most have involved twins because of their
ability to resolve the effects of genes and environments. His longest-running
cohort is the Peri/postnatal Epigenetic Twin Study (PETS). He is currently
funded by the NHMRC to study cognition and brain structure & function in
11-year-old PETS twins. Prof Craig is a Chief Investigator on the NHMRC-funded
Twins Centre of Research Excellence. He is also the President of the
International Society for Twin Studies and an advocate for twins and their
families.
In 2018 Prof Craig established the multidisciplinary network 'Gen(e)quality'.
Its broad aim is to develop ideas on the technical, ethical, legal and social
implications of epigenetics research and testing. A specific, current aim of
Gen(e)quality is to engage with sections of the public to co-design guides on
epigenetics and epigenetic testing.
Prof Craig is an active science communicator and over one million people have
read his articles in The Conversation. He is also interested in the two-way
interactions between human health and the health of the environment.