From left: Associate Professors Dominic Dwyer, Kate Filia, Zac Seidler and Caroline Gao
Orygen’s role as an incubator for world-class research in youth mental health has been highlighted by its latest round of academic promotions, which has seen four new associate professors added to its ranks.
Associate Professor Dominic Dwyer is a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Principle Research Fellow at Orygen, and is pioneering the use of AI tools in mental health to empower consumers, clinicians, families, and services.
Associate Professor Dwyer said he was thrilled to receive the promotion, and thanked his family, friends and colleagues for their invaluable support and inspiration.
“I’ve had wonderful academic mentors who continue to inspire me,” Associate Professor Dwyer said.
“I’m proud to be working with world-leading experts at Orygen to explore innovative new ideas. Our current mission is to harness the power of AI to empower decision making for those who need it most.”
Associate Professor Kate Filia is a Senior Research Fellow whose research focusses on improving the understanding of social inclusion in the prevention, treatment and ongoing management of mental ill-health – particularly focused on early intervention for young people.
Associate Professor Filia said the milestone achievement had given her a moment to reflect on how far she’d come, and the role she might now play for other people.
“This hasn’t been an easy path, but I’m incredibly lucky at Orygen to be surrounded by people who believe in me and support me, and who inspire and push me,” Associate Professor Filia said.
“If I can now use this position to be that support for someone else, to help them achieve their goals and contribute to the great work we all do, then I’ll be happy.
“Continuing this work is so important to help improve social and functional outcomes for young people experiencing mental ill-health, and although it’s hard it’s incredibly meaningful.”
Associate Professor Caroline Gao is a biostatistician and environmental epidemiologist, finding new ways to use maths and statistics to analyse and better understand health data.
Associate Professor Gao acknowledged that the journey to reach this milestone had been filled with challenges, including a major career change and multiple interruptions.
“However, the incredible opportunities I’ve had at Orygen and the Centre for Youth Mental Health have been truly transformative,” Associate Professor Gao said.
“As a biostatistician, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to meaningful work that has not only redefined my vision as a researcher but also highlighted the profound and lasting impact data-driven insights can have on shaping Australia’s mental health landscape.
“Looking ahead, I’m inspired by the chance to push boundaries in mental health research and innovation. Collaborating with exceptional colleagues and partners, I’m dedicated to advancing data intelligence, developing cutting-edge methods, models and technologies, and helping shape a brighter, digitally empowered future for mental health care. The possibilities ahead are both exciting and deeply inspiring.”
Associate Professor Zac Seidler is a NHMRC Emerging Leader Fellow at Orygen and Global Director of Men’s Health Research at Movember. He is a prominent voice in men’s health and masculinity in public discourse, and is working to train mental health practitioners to better understand and respond to men’s distress and suicidality through the Men in Mind program.
“I've been lucky to always be supported and surrounded by the best of the best, including many at Orygen, who have done nothing but build me up,” Associate Professor Seidler said.
"They have listened and helped my ideas flourish, added me to papers and grants, and fundamentally took a chance on me. I am deeply indebted to all of them."