Background

Following psychiatric training in North Yorkshire and Edinburgh, Dr McKechanie took up a position as clinical lecturer in learning disabilities at the University of Edinburgh in 2008. Within this post he focused on the genetic basis of intellectual disability and the contribution of small changes in the genetic code to increased susceptibility to mental illness in those with an intellectual disability.

He has worked at The Patrick Wild Centre since its opening in 2010, where much of his work, including his PhD, has focused on fragile X syndrome, and is now looking at the use of large datasets to inform health in fragile X syndrome and other conditions.

His clinical work is as a consultant psychiatrist for the NHS Lothian Intellectual Disability Service.

He is also a board advisor to Scottish Autism, a national charity which provides autism-specific services to autistic children and adults, along with support and information for families, carers and professionals.

Qualifications

MBChB, University of Edinburgh

MRCPsych, Royal College of Psychiatrists

PhD, University of Edinburgh

Responsibilities & affiliations

Member, Royal Society of Edinburgh Young Academy of Scotland

Fellow, Royal College of Psychiatrists

Board advisor and former board member, Scottish Autism

Former board member, Scotland Malawi Mental Health Education Project

Co-author of WHO papers on the Health of Children and Young People with Intellectual Disabilities