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Barwon Health / Research

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Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT)

IMPACT develops new and effective responses to mental and physical health for our community. We use cutting-edge approaches to translate our medical research from the laboratory to real-world solutions.

Our team of over 300 researchers has a shared aim to improve the quality of life of our global community. We work to develop innovative diagnostics, treatments and therapies for mental health conditions and chronic diseases.

IMPACT is unique in its transdisciplinary and collaborative structure. Our silo-free approach allows us to tackle the complex mental and physical disorders that are a significant burden of disease in Australia, and across the world.

Keen to find out more about clinical trials at Barwon Health?

Click here to watch IMPACT trials in methamphetamine dependence: Dr Alyna Turner, Deputy Director, IMPACT Trials (4 min)

Research Areas

Collaborating Organisations

For a full list of national and international collaborators, visit impact.deakin.edu.au

 

Research Team

Research Staff

Directors

Research Theme Leads

  • Associate Professor Olivia Dean, Clinical Trials and Interventions
  • Alfred Deakin Professor Felice Jacka, Food and Mood
  • Professor Tania De Koning-Ward, Infection, Immunity and Cancer
  • Professor Alison Yung, Mental Health Disorders and Neuroscience
  • Professor Sean McGee, Molecular Medicine
  • Professor Ken Walder, Novel Treatment Discovery
  • Professor Julie Pasco, Population Health

 

Research News

 

Research Grants

For a full list of research grants, please click here. Highlights include:

  • Medical Research Futures Fund - Mental Health Australia General Clinical Trial Network (MAGNET): Michael Berk: 2021 – 2026
  • National Health and Medical Research Council - MRFF Efficient Use of existing medicines: Michael Berk, Alyna Turner, Olivia Dean: 2021 – 2025
  • National Health and Medical Research Council Investigator Grant - Nutritional Psychiatry: extending the evidence and ensuring translation: Felice Jacka, 2021 - 2026
  • Stanley Medical Research Institute - A clinical trial of trimetazidine for bipolar depression in Spain and India: Ken Walder: 2021- 2024
  • 2022 National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Investigator Grants Scheme:
  •     Development of a bench to bedside platform for novel therapy development for psychiatric disorders – Professor Michael Berk
  •     ‘Food, mood and microbes: Improving mental health through diet’ project – Dr Heidi Staudacher
  • 2022 ARC Future Fellowships:
  •     Prefrontal dopamine in the dynamic processes of learning across lifetime - Associate Professor Jee Hyun Kim
  •     Engineering nanoscale tools for cellular interrogation - Dr Roey Elnathan

 

Featured Publications

Visit our annual report here: https://impact.deakin.edu.au/about/#flipbook-pdf_1/1/

2022 publications: https://impact.deakin.edu.au/annual-report/2022/publications/  

 

Saha SK, Promite S, Botheras CL, et al Improving diagnostic antimicrobial stewardship in respiratory tract infections: a protocol for a scoping review investigating point-of-care testing programmes in community pharmacy BMJ Open 2023;13:e068193. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068193 

Green JE, Berk M, Mohebbi M, et al. Feasibility, Acceptability, and Safety of Faecal Microbiota Transplantation in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 2023;68(5):315-326. doi:10.1177/07067437221150508 

Anderson, K. B., Tembo, M. C., Sui, S. X., Hyde, N. K., Rufus, P. G., Pasco, J. A., Kotowicz, M. A., & Holloway-Kew, K. L. (2021). Normative data for peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) bone parameters in Australian men. Bone reports, 15, 101107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bonr.2021.101107

 

Support Our Research

Participate in a Clinical Trial

To find out about clinical trials currently underway at Barwon Health, click here.

Donate

Clinical trials require ongoing investment and there are several ways to support this amazing work.

You can make a donation today and contribute to an item on our research wish list, consider a bequest in your will, or establish a lasting legacy fund in your name. No matter what size, your philanthropic support with deliver an immediate impact.

To donate now or for more information and further discuss your support, please contact the Barwon Health Foundation.

Wish List

  1. A donation of $1,000 - $5,000 can offer us a travel fellowship for our researchers to gain a global perspective and connections.
  2. A donation of $5,000 - $20,000 may provide a PhD scholarship for a student to explore a new field of research.
  3. A donation of $20,000 or more could support one of our diverse range of projects or contribute to the establishment of an endowed chair.

 

Last Modified: Monday, 11 September 2023

Research Lead

Michael Berk 2023

Alfred Deakin Professor Michael Berk
Director, IMPACT

Ken Walder photo

Professor Ken Walder
Co-Director, IMPACT
Theme Lead, Novel Treatment Discovery

 

Health & Education Research Building
Barwon Health & Deakin University, School of Medicine
PO Box 281, Geelong Vic 3220
[email protected] 

 

Related Links

impact.deakin.edu.au