Amanda V. Bakian, PhD

Languages spoken: English

Academic Information

Departments: Psychiatry - Research Associate Professor, Family & Preventive Medicine - Adjunct Assistant Professor

Divisions: Child Psychiatry, Public Health

Academic Office Information

amanda.bakian@hsc.utah.edu

Research Interests

  • Experimental Design, Outcomes Research
  • Geographical Epidemiology
  • Gene-Environment Interaction
  • Public Health Surveillance Systems
  • Spatial Statistics
  • Environmental Epidemiology

Amanda Bakian, PhD is a Research Associate Professor, environmental epidemiologist, biostatistician, and Director of the Utah Registry of Autism and Developmental Disabilities (URADD). Her research aims to identify environmental, geographical, and familial contributors to the risk of psychiatric conditions including autism spectrum disorder and suicide. In particular, she is interested in how environmental exposures such as ambient air pollution interact with individual- and neighborhood-level characteristics to increase vulnerability to psychiatric conditions. As URADD Director, she oversees the operation of a public health surveillance system for autism and other developmental disabilities. She is also the Principal Investigator of the Utah Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring project, which aims to estimate the prevalence of autism in Utah and determine how characteristics of children with autism have changed over time. Dr. Bakian is also Principal Investigator of a five-year study funded by the National Institutes of Health to investigate how mixtures of air pollution and weather exposures influence the risk of suicide.

Education History

Post Graduate Training University of Utah
Comparative Effectiveness Research 		Postgraduate Studies
Fellowship Kyoto University
Ecological statistics 		Fellow
Graduate Training Utah State University
Statistics 		M.S.
Doctoral Training Utah State University
Biology/Ecology 		Ph.D.
Undergraduate Colby College
Biology 		B.A.

Selected Publications

  1. Richards Steed R, Bakian AV, Smith KR, Wan N, Brewer S, Medina R, VanDerslice J (2022). Evidence of transgenerational effects on autism spectrum disorder using multigenerational space-time cluster detection. Int J Health Geogr, 21(1), 13.
  2. Mirza S, Docherty AR, Bakian A, Coon H, Soares JC, Walss-Bass C, Fries GR (2022). Genetics and epigenetics of self-injurious thoughts and behaviors: Systematic review of the suicide literature and methodological considerations. [Review]. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet, 189(7-8), 221-246.
  3. Grineski SE, Renteria R, Collins TW, Mangadu A, Alexander C, Bilder D, Bakian A (2022). Associations between estimates of perinatal industrial pollution exposures and intellectual disability in Utah children. Sci Total Environ, 836, 155630.
  4. Oka F, Weischedel K, Bakian A, Mickey BJ (2022). Treatment-Resistant Mood Disorders in LGBTQ People: A Retrospective Study of Clinical Features and Response to Electroconvulsive Therapy. J Clin Psychiatry, 83(4).
  5. Coon H, Shabalin A, Bakian AV, DiBlasi E, Monson ET, Kirby A, Chen D, Fraser A, Yu Z, Staley M, Callor WB, Christensen ED, Crowell SE, Gray D, Crockett DK, Li QS, Keeshin B, Docherty AR (2022). Extended familial risk of suicide death is associated with younger age at death and elevated polygenic risk of suicide. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet, 189, 60-73.
  6. Kirby AV, Bilder DA, Wiggins LD, Hughes MM, Davis J, Hall-Lande JA, Lee LC, McMahon WM, Bakian AV (2022). Sensory features in autism: Findings from a large population-based surveillance system. Autism Res, 15, 751-760.
  7. Maenner MJ, Shaw KA, Bakian AV, Bilder DA, Durkin MS, Esler A, Furnier SM, Hallas L, Hall-Lande J, Hudson A, Hughes MM, Patrick M, Pierce K, Poynter JN, Salinas A, Shenouda J, Vehorn A, Warren Z, Constantino JN, DiRienzo M, Fitzgerald RT, Grzybowski A, Spivey MH, Pettygrove S, Zahorodny W, Ali A, Andrews JG, Baroud T, Gutierrez J, Hewitt A, Lee LC, Lopez M, Mancilla KC, McArthur D, Schwenk YD, Washington A, Williams S, Cogswell ME (2021). Prevalence and Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years - Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2018. MMWR CDC Surveill Summ, 70(11), 1-16.
  8. Shaw KA, Maenner MJ, Bakian AV, Bilder DA, Durkin MS, Furnier SM, Hughes MM, Patrick M, Pierce K, Salinas A, Shenouda J, Vehorn A, Warren Z, Zahorodny W, Constantino JN, DiRienzo M, Esler A, Fitzgerald RT, Grzybowski A, Hudson A, Spivey MH, Ali A, Andrews JG, Baroud T, Gutierrez J, Hallas L, Hall-Lande J, Hewitt A, Lee LC, Lopez M, Mancilla KC, McArthur D, Pettygrove S, Poynter JN, Schwenk YD, Washington A, Williams S, Cogswell ME (2021). Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 4 Years - Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2018. MMWR CDC Surveill Summ, 70(10), 1-14.
  9. Shaw KA, McArthur D, Hughes MM, Bakian AV, Lee LC, Pettygrove S, Maenner MJ (2021). Progress and Disparities in Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 2002-2016. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 61, 905-914.
  10. Docherty AR, Bakian AV, DiBlasi E, Shabalin AA, Chen D, Keeshin B, Monson E, Christensen ED, Li Q, Gray D, Coon H (2021). Suicide and Psychosis: Results From a Population-Based Cohort of Suicide Death (N = 4380). Schizophr Bull, 48, 457-462.
  11. Bakian AV, Chen D, Zhang C, Hanson HA, Docherty AR, Keeshin B, Gray D, Smith KR, VanDerslice JA, Yu DZ, Zhang Y, Coon H (2021). A population-wide analysis of the familial risk of suicide in Utah, USA. Psychol Med, 1-10.
  12. Monson ET, Shabalin AA, Docherty AR, DiBlasi E, Bakian AV, Li QS, Gray D, Keeshin B, Crowell SE, Mullins N, Willour VL, Coon H (2021). Assessment of suicide attempt and death in bipolar affective disorder: a combined clinical and genetic approach. Transl Psychiatry, 11(1), 379.
  13. DiBlasi E, Shabalin AA, Monson ET, Keeshin BR, Bakian AV, Kirby AV, Ferris E, Chen D, William N, Gaj E, Klein M, Jerominski L, Callor WB, Christensen E, Smith KR, Fraser A, Yu Z, Gray D, PsychChip Investigators of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, Camp NJ, Stahl EA, Li QS, Docherty AR, Coon H (2021). Rare protein-coding variants implicate genes involved in risk of suicide death. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet, 186(8), 508-520.
  14. DiBlasi E, Kirby AV, Gaj E, Docherty AR, Keeshin BR, Bakian AV, Coon H (2020). Brief Report: Genetic Links Between Autism and Suicidal Behavior-A Preliminary Investigation. J Autism Dev Disord, 50(10), 3525-3530.
  15. Docherty AR, Shabalin AA, DiBlasi E, Monson E, Mullins N, Adkins DE, Bacanu SA, Bakian AV, Crowell S, Chen D, Darlington TM, Callor WB, Christensen ED, Gray D, Keeshin B, Klein M, Anderson JS, Jerominski L, Hayward C, Porteous DJ, McIntosh A, Li Q, Coon H (2020). Genome-Wide Association Study of Suicide Death and Polygenic Prediction of Clinical Antecedents. Am J Psychiatry, 177(10), 917-927.
  16. Kious BM, Bakian AV (2020). Evidence of new-onset depression among persons with migraine after discontinuing antidepressants. Psychiatry Res, 288, 112990.
  17. Bakian AV, Huber RS, Scholl L, Renshaw PF, Kondo D (2020). Dietary creatine intake and depression risk among U.S. adults. Transl Psychiatry, 10(1), 52.
  18. Gregerson CHY, Bakian AV, Wilkes J, Knighton AJ, Nkoy F, Sweney M, Filloux FM, Bonkowsky JL (2019). Disparities in Pediatric Epilepsy Remission Are Associated With Race and Ethnicity. J Child Neurol, 34(14), 928-936.
  19. Bilder DA, Esplin MS, Coon H, Burghardt P, Clark EAS, Fraser A, Smith KR, Worsham W, Chappelle K, Rayner T, Bakian AV (2019). Early Second Trimester Maternal Serum Steroid-Related Biomarkers Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord, 49(11), 4572-4583.
  20. Bilder DA, Esplin MS, Coon H, Burghardt P, Clark EAS, Fraser A, Smith KR, Worsham W, Chappelle K, Rayner T, Bakian AV (2019). Correction to: Early Second Trimester Maternal Serum Steroid‑Related Biomarkers Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord (49(11), p. 4584). United States.
  21. Ombach HJ, Scholl LS, Bakian AV, Renshaw KT, Sung YH, Renshaw PF, Kanekar S (2019). Association between altitude, prescription opioid misuse, and fatal overdoses. Addict Behav Rep, 9, 100167.
  22. Dickerson AS, Rahbar MH, Pearson DA, Kirby RS, Bakian AV, Bilder DA, Harrington RA, Pettygrove S, Zahorodny WM, Moy LA 3rd, Durkin M, Slay Wingate M (2017). Autism spectrum disorder reporting in lower socioeconomic neighborhoods. Autism, 21(4), 470-480.
  23. Bilder DA, Bakian AV, Stevenson DA, Carbone PS, Cunniff C, Goodman AB, McMahon WM, Fisher NP, Viskochil D (2016). Brief Report: The Prevalence of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Identified by the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network. J Autism Dev Disord, 46(10), 3369-76.
  24. McGlade E, Bakian A, Coon H, Yurgelun-Todd D, Callor WB, Byrd J, Gray D (2016). Male suspected suicide decedents in Utah: A comparison of Veterans and nonveterans. Compr Psychiatry, 69, 1-10.
  25. Jones KB, Cottle K, Bakian A, Farley M, Bilder D, Coon H, McMahon WM (2016). A description of medical conditions in adults with autism spectrum disorder: A follow-up of the 1980s Utah/UCLA Autism Epidemiologic Study. Autism, 20(5), 551-61.
  26. Dickerson AS, Rahbar MH, Bakian AV, Bilder DA, Harrington RA, Pettygrove S, Kirby RS, Durkin MS, Han I, Moy LA 3rd, Pearson DA, Wingate MS, Zahorodny WM (2016). Autism spectrum disorder prevalence and associations with air concentrations of lead, mercury, and arsenic. Environ Monit Assess, 188(7), 407.
  27. Ruiz LM, Damron M, Jones KB, Weedon D, Carbone PS, Bakian AV, Bilder DA (2016). Antipsychotic Use and Metabolic Monitoring in Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Served in a Medicaid Medical Home. J Autism Dev Disord, 46(6), 1887-1894.
  28. Cannon DS, Medina TR, Mermelstein RJ, Hedeker D, Bakian AV, Coon H, Cook EH, Hamil C, Weiss RB (2016). CYP2A6 Longitudinal Effects in Young Smokers. Nicotine Tob Res, 18(2), 196-203.
  29. Dickerson AS, Rahbar MH, Han I, Bakian AV, Bilder DA, Harrington RA, Pettygrove S, Durkin M, Kirby RS, Wingate MS, Tian LH, Zahorodny WM, Pearson DA, Moy LA 3rd, Baio J (2015). Autism spectrum disorder prevalence and proximity to industrial facilities releasing arsenic, lead or mercury. Sci Total Environ, 536, 245-251.
  30. Bakian AV, Bilder DA, Coon H, McMahon WM (2015). Spatial relative risk patterns of autism spectrum disorders in Utah. J Autism Dev Disord, 45(4), 988-1000.
  31. Bakian AV, Bilder DA, Carbone PS, Hunt TD, Petersen B, Rice CE (2015). Brief report: independent validation of autism spectrum disorder case status in the Utah Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network Site. J Autism Dev Disord, 45(3), 873-80.
  32. Bakian AV, Huber RS, Coon H, Gray D, Wilson P, McMahon WM, Renshaw PF (2015). Acute air pollution exposure and risk of suicide completion. Am J Epidemiol, 181(5), 295-303.
  33. Bakian AV, Huber RS, Coon H, Gray D, Wilson P, McMahon WM, Renshaw PF (2015). Bakian et al. respond to "Assessing air pollution and suicide risk". Am J Epidemiol, 181(5), 309-10.
  34. Darlington TM, Pimentel R, Smith K, Bakian AV, Jerominski L, Cardon J, Camp NJ, Callor WB, Grey T, Singleton M, Yandell M, Renshaw PF, Yurgelun-Todd DA, Gray D, Coon H (2014). Identifying rare variants for genetic risk through a combined pedigree and phenotype approach: application to suicide and asthma. Transl Psychiatry, 4, e471.
  35. Gray D, Coon H, McGlade E, Callor WB, Byrd J, Viskochil J, Bakian A, Yurgelun-Todd D, Grey T, McMahon WM (2014). Comparative analysis of suicide, accidental, and undetermined cause of death classification. Suicide Life Threat Behav, 44(3), 304-16.
  36. Maenner MJ, Rice CE, Arneson CL, Cunniff C, Schieve LA, Carpenter LA, Van Naarden Braun K, Kirby RS, Bakian AV, Durkin MS (2014). Potential impact of DSM-5 criteria on autism spectrum disorder prevalence estimates. JAMA Psychiatry, 71(3), 292-300.
  37. Coon H, Darlington T, Pimentel R, Smith KR, Huff CD, Hu H, Jerominski L, Hansen J, Klein M, Callor WB, Byrd J, Bakian A, Crowell SE, McMahon WM, Rajamanickam V, Camp NJ, McGlade E, Yurgelun-Todd D, Grey T, Gray D (2013). Genetic risk factors in two Utah pedigrees at high risk for suicide. Transl Psychiatry, 3, e325.
  38. Bilder DA, Bakian AV, Viskochil J, Clark EA, Botts EL, Smith KR, Pimentel R, McMahon WM, Coon H (2013). Maternal prenatal weight gain and autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics, 132(5), e1276-83.
  39. Bilder DA, Pinborough-Zimmerman J, Bakian AV, Miller JS, Dorius JT, Nangle B, McMahon WM (2013). Prenatal and perinatal factors associated with intellectual disability. Am J Intellect Dev Disabil, 118(2), 156-76.
  40. Bilder DA, Burton BK, Coon H, Leviton L, Ashworth J, Lundy BD, Vespa H, Bakian AV, Longo N (2013). Psychiatric symptoms in adults with phenylketonuria. Mol Genet Metab, 108(3), 155-60.
  41. Pinborough-Zimmerman J, Bakian AV, Fombonne E, Bilder D, Taylor J, McMahon WM (2012). Changes in the administrative prevalence of autism spectrum disorders: contribution of special education and health from 2002-2008. J Autism Dev Disord, 42(4), 521-30.
  42. Bakian AV, Sullivan KA, Paxton EH (2012). Elucidating spatially-explicit behavioral landscapes in the Willow Flycatcher. Ecol Modell, 232, 119-132.
  43. Pinborough-Zimmerman J, Bilder D, Bakian A, Satterfield R, Carbone PS, Nangle BE, Randall H, McMahon WM (2011). Sociodemographic risk factors associated with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability. Autism Res, 4(6), 438-48.
  44. Pinborough-Zimmerman J, Bakian AV (2011). Just under 1% of adults living in the community in England are estimated to have autism spectrum disorders. Evid Based Ment Health, 14(4), 89.
  45. Lorenz T, Sullivan KA, Bakian AV, Aubry C (2011). Cache-size selection in Clark’s Nutcracker (Nucifraga Columbiana). 128(2), 237-247.
  46. Zimmerman-Pinborough J, Bakian AV (2010). Utah autism rates climb. 33, 10-11.
  47. Bakian AV, Sullivan KA (2010). The effectiveness of institutional intervention on minimizing demographic inertia and improving the representation of women faculty in higher education. Int J Gend Sci Technol, 2, 206-234.

Global Impact

Education History

Type School Degree
Fellowship Kyoto University
Ecological statistics		 Fellow