Friday, February 14, 2025

Mental health researcher named NSW Scientist of the Year

Scientia Professor Helen Christensen AO from UNSW Sydney and the Black Dog Institute has been named NSW Scientist of the Year in the 2024 Premier’s Prizes for Science & Engineering.

Professor Christensen is one of 10 researchers, innovators, and educators being honoured at the Premier’s awards ceremony, to be held at Government House in Sydney tonight.

Professor Christensen’s selection as Scientist of the Year is in recognition of her pioneering work in digital mental health research, which has significantly influenced mental health care practice both in Australia and internationally, said Premier Chris Minns.

“Professor Christensen’s work has helped millions of people worldwide,” said Mr Minns.

“Her online self-help courses to help address common mental health disorders have been pioneering.

“Mental health is one of the pressing challenges of our time, and Professor Christensen’s innovations have made an important impact,” he said.

In 2000, she developed the digital intervention program, MoodGYM, to reduce depression in young people, which has been used by millions of people across more than 160 countries.

She served as the Executive Director and Chief Scientist at the Black Dog Institute from 2011 to 2021, while her work creating a model of suicide prevention has been incorporated into national and state suicide prevention plans.

She is set to receive a trophy and $60,000 in prize money.

Nine category winners are also being announced tonight, each receiving a trophy and $5,000 in prize money:

  • Excellence in Mathematics, Earth Sciences, Chemistry or Physics
    Professor Susan Coppersmith, UNSW Sydney
  • Excellence in Biological Sciences (Ecological, environmental, agricultural and organismal) Distinguished Professor Ian Paulsen, Macquarie University
  • Excellence in Medical Biological Sciences (Cell and molecular, medical, veterinary and genetics)
    Professor Stuart Tangye, Garvan Institute of Medical Research
  • Excellence in Engineering or Information and Communications Technologies
    Distinguished Professor Willy Susilo, University of Wollongong
  • NSW Early Career Researcher of the Year (Biological Sciences)
    Dr Ira Deveson, Garvan Institute of Medical Research
  • NSW Early Career Researcher of the Year (Physical Sciences) –
    Dr. Jiayan Liao, University of Technology Sydney
  • Leadership in Innovation in NSW
    Distinguished Professor Karu Esselle, University of Technology Sydney
  • Innovation in NSW Public Sector Science and Engineering
    Dr Annette Cowie, NSW Department of Primary Industries and University of New England
  • Innovation in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics Teaching in NSW
    Jodie Attenborough, Tottenham Central School

“Tonight is the NSW Government’s chance to recognise some of the leaders from NSW’s world-class research and innovation community,” said Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Anoulack Chanthivong.

“We celebrate not only research excellence, but visionary work that is driving the establishment of new high-tech companies to tackle some of our state’s most difficult problems.” 

Professor Helen Christensen said she was deeply honoured to receive the award from the NSW Government.

“It’s exciting to see this recognition for scientific work in mental health—an issue now seen globally as the leading health concern, even surpassing cancer, obesity and COVID,” she said.

“Mental health science has the power to transform lives. We’re at a tipping point, where advancements in genetics, AI, and software engineering, are reshaping our understanding of mental illness, the impact of societal factors, and how technology delivers proven treatments to those who need them.”

Full details of all winners can be found at: NSW Premier’s Prizes for Science & Engineering | Chief Scientist.

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