Research Group on Adolescent Health (GRSA)

The Research Group on Adolescent Health (GRSA) is part of the Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté) and Lausanne University (UNIL). It produces quantitative, qualitative and clinical studies focused on adolescents, young adults and their entourage.

Research Head
Professor Joan-Carles Suris

Professor Joan-Carles Suris’s studies concentrate on 4 axes. First, adolescents and young adults with chronic illness. For this theme, his research focuses both on risk behaviors and on transition from pediatric to adult care. He is also interested in substance misuse (e.g. tobacco and cannabis) including use of young athletes. Sexual behaviors are also part of his work (e.g. unwanted sexual experiences and sexual dysfunctions). Finally, new addictions such as gambling and problematic Internet use are current study subjects. 

Senior Research Manager
Dr Yara Barrense-Dias

Yara Barrense-Dias holds a PhD in Life Sciences and a Master’s degree of Law in Criminal Justice, subject area Criminology and Security from the University of Lausanne. Her studies in the GRSA focus on the following fields: Internet use, substance use, violence, gambling and sexual behaviors among adolescents and young adults. She is particularly interested in a new phenomenon: the sexting and its possible link with bullying. 

Research Manager
Sophie Stadelmann

Sophie Stadelmann holds a Master’s degree in Medical Biology from the University of Lausanne and a Master’s degree in public health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She is affiliated to another sector (CEESAN) but has a project in common with the GRSA concerning the epidemiological monitoring of termination of pregnancies.

Statistician
Professor André Berchtold

André Berchtold is an associate statistician Professor in the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences in the University of Lausanne. He is also member of  the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR)-LIVES and collaborates with the GRSA for a long time. Its expertise field covers longitudinal analyses, surveys and statistics associated to health.

Research Collaborator
Lorraine Chok

Lorraine Chok holds a Master’s degree in Philosophy and in Global Health from the University of Geneva. Her areas of interests focus on the fields of sexual health of adolescents and young adults, sexual behaviors, violence and gender inequalities. After a 6-months internship, she integrated the GRSA as a Research Collaborator.   

Research Collaborator
Diana Fernandes Palhares

Diana Fernandes Palhares holds a Master’s degree in Health Psychology from the University of Lausanne. Her main areas of interest are women and adolescents’ sexual health, and the access of LGBTQ+ populations to healthcare.  

 

Research Collaborator
Lucie Vittoz

Lucie Vittoz holds a Master’s degree in Health Psychology and a CAS of Analysis of practices in care situations from the University of Lausanne. She is interested by the post-traumatic stress disorder, the gerontology and health research.