2025

Orygen research fellow Dr Louise La Sala has received the prestigious Andrej Marušič Award in recognition of her pioneering and impactful work in suicide prevention. 

The award, dedicated to early career researchers, was presented at the 33rd World Congress of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) in Vienna on Tuesday night. 

Dr La Sala received the award for a significant body of work that has a particular focus on the intersection of digital technology, online safety, and youth mental health, and an emphasis on the role of social media in suicide prevention and intervention. 

As a lead researcher on Orygen’s pioneering #chatsafe program, she has worked alongside more than 600 young people and hundreds of parents, carers and educators around the world to drive online safety policies and initiatives that have reached more than 12 million young people globally. 

Professor Jo Robinson, Head of Suicide Prevention at Orygen and President of the IASP, said the award recognised Dr La Sala’s exceptional leadership and impact. 

“Louise is an exceptional early career researcher whose contributions to suicide prevention research, policy, and practice have already left a lasting impact,” Prof. Robinson said. 

“Her dedication to translating research into meaningful interventions, her leadership within the global suicide prevention community, and her commitment to mentoring emerging researchers make her an ideal recipient. 

“Louise exemplifies the future of suicide prevention research — compassionate, collaborative, and deeply impactful. I am proud to have her on my team at Orygen and delighted to be able to present this award to her.” 

Orygen researchers have received the Andrej Marušič Award on two of six occasions, with Dr Katrina Witt receiving it in 2019.