Scott Vrieze

Portrait of Scott Vrieze
Psychology
College of Liberal Arts
Twin Cities

Award Year
2026
University Award
Distinguished McKnight University Professors

Development and Consequences of Addiction and Mental Health

Scott Vrieze explores the origins of addiction and mental health through large-scale genetic and family studies. Leading a global consortium of millions, he identifies risk genes to improve clinical predictions and treatments. By studying twins and adoptive families over decades, he distinguishes genetic inheritance from human experiences to clarify the causes and consequences of mental illness. His research offers a critical foundation for new prevention and intervention strategies to address complex behavioral health challenges.