Internationally renowned mental health researcher Professor Helen Christensen AO from UNSW Sydney and the Black Dog Institute is being recognised as the NSW Scientist of the Year in the 2024 Premier’s Prizes for Science & Engineering.
Professor Christensen is one of 10 exceptional researchers, innovators, and educators being honoured at the Premier’s Prizes for Science & Engineering, 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.
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 will receive a trophy and $60,000 in prize money.
Other winners
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
Recognition
Premier Chris Minns said, ‘These awards are about recognising and thanking our state’s most outstanding scientists, engineers, and teachers. Professor Christensen’s work has helped millions of people worldwide. Her online self-help courses to help address common mental health disorders have been pioneering.
‘Mental health support is vital for so many people. Professor Christensen has improved support for people in NSW, and people around the world.
‘Mental health is one of the pressing challenges of our time, and Professor Christensen’s innovations have made an important impact.’
Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said, ‘Tonight is the NSW government’s chance to recognise some of the leaders from NSW’s world-class research and innovation community.
‘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.’
NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer Hugh Durrant-Whyte said, ‘Tonight, we celebrate leading thinkers in areas as diverse as quantum physics, synthetic biology, immunology, cybersecurity and satellite telecommunications.
‘We acknowledge the work of established senior academics as well as lauding the contributions of our best early career researchers.
‘My congratulations to everyone honoured tonight, and especially to 2024 Scientist of the Year, Professor Helen Christensen, for her profound impact in the critically important area of mental health.’
Deeply honoured
2024 NSW Scientist of the Year Professor Helen Christensen said, ‘I’m deeply honoured to receive this 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.
‘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.’
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