Research leaders

PhD, D.Clin.Psy, MAResearchMeth

Professor Mario Alvarez-Jimenez is Chief of Orygen Digital. Mario has pioneered the use of online social media to foster long-term recovery in youth mental health.

His research focus is on relapse prevention and psychosocial recovery in youth mental health through online social media, mobile-based interventions and new models of positive psychotherapy. Mario has been extensively published in a range of Australian and international publications and has obtained a number of highly competitive research grants.

In late 2022 Mario was awarded a Tom Trauer Evaluation and Research Award for his substantial contribution to transforming youth mental health through digital technology. This award was conferred by the Mental Health Service Awards of Australia and New Zealand.

Mario became a Dame Kate Campbell Fellow in 2020 for his outstanding research performance.

• In 2015, he attained the 2015 Research Excellence Award by the NHMRC being the top Ranked applicant Australia-Wide in the Career Development Fellowship Scheme.
• In 2014, Mario obtained a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) career development fellowship and was awarded the 2014 Society for Mental Health Research (SMHR) rising start award. This award is in recognition of emerging researcher leaders whose work is making a significant impact on the national and international scene, reflecting scientific excellence and public health impact.
• In 2013, he was awarded the Young Investigator Award for Excellence in Research by the Australasian Schizophrenia Conference.
• In 2012, he was awarded the CR Roper Fellowship, a prestigious three-year fellowship awarded by the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at The University of Melbourne, as well as the International Early Psychosis Association Young Investigator Award. 

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