Cathryn Lewis, Professor of Genetic Epidemiology and Statistics at King’s College London, is a world-leading statistical geneticist who has pioneered innovative methods and shown exceptional leadership in assembling and analysing large datasets, driving breakthrough discoveries in the genetic architecture of major depressive disorder. She has played a central role in transforming our understanding of the genetic architecture of mental health disorders. Her leadership has helped drive the field from a position of no robust genetic associations for depression in 2013, to over 500 by 2025. These discoveries have laid the foundation for downstream research into the biological mechanisms of depression and have enabled industry partners to identify and prioritise drug targets with greater confidence.