Research leaders

PhD, D.Clin.Psy, MAResearchMeth

Professor Mario Alvarez-Jimenez is Chief of Orygen Digital, a world-leading centre dedicated to digitalising and personalising youth mental health care at scale. He leads a team of more than 130 researchers and professionals spanning over 30 disciplines.

Mario has pioneered the integration of digital technology, artificial intelligence and human support to enhance the accessibility, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of youth mental health services. Under his leadership, Orygen Digital has developed multiple world-first digital platforms, including the flagship multi-award winning, evidence-based MOST (Moderated Online Social Therapy) platform. MOST is now used in over 400 Australian youth mental health clinics, supporting more than 10,000 young people every year, establishing the world’s largest network of digitally enhanced youth mental health services.

With upwards of 230 scientific articles, over $158.1 million in research and government funding (including more than $80 million as lead) and 11 national and international awards, Mario is recognised as a global leader in transforming youth mental health care through digital technology. He has been invited to present at over 40 national and international conferences, including more than 25 keynotes at the top international conferences in the field. In late 2022, Mario was honoured with the Tom Trauer Evaluation and Research Award by the Mental Health Service Awards of Australia and New Zealand for his groundbreaking contributions to youth mental health care.  

Key accolades include:

• Not-For-Profit Technology Innovator of the Year (2022) for Orygen Digital, awarded by the Australian Not-For-Profit Technology Awards, recognising innovation and excellence across the Australian not-for-profit sector.
• Dame Kate Campbell Fellow (2020) at The University of Melbourne for his outstanding research performance.
• Multiple National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) awards, including the NHMRC Investigator Grant (EL2) (2020), the NHMRC Career Development Fellowship (2016) and the highly competitive NHMRC Excellence Award (2015), where he was ranked as the top applicant in Australia for the Career Development Fellowship Scheme.
• Society for Mental Health Research (SMHR) Rising Star Award (2014), recognising his global impact on youth mental health care.
• CR Roper Fellowship (2013), awarded by the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at The University of Melbourne; NHMRC Career Development Fellowship (2016); and NHMRC Investigator Grant (EL2) (2020).
• Young Investigator Award for Excellence in Research (2013), presented at the Australasian Schizophrenia Conference, and the International Early Psychosis Association Young Investigator Award (2012).

Learn more about Orygen Digital’s work or explore digital mental health service MOST and our virtual reality program.