Pioneering research into the neurobiology of major depressive disorder and new ways to collaborate internationally have been recognised by the International College of Neuropsychopharmacology (CINP), with Orygen’s Professor Lianne Schmaal awarded the inaugural CINP President’s Brain Health Research Award 2025.
Presented at the World Congress of Neuropsychopharmacology in Melbourne, the prestigious award recognises Professor Schmaal’s contributions to translational research in neuropsychopharmacology, as well as her work uniting research groups across the world to work together answering questions they could not answer on their own.
Professor Schmaal is Head of the Mood and Anxiety Disorders Research program at Orygen, and a key focus of her research is understanding the mechanisms underlying the onset and trajectories of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts and behaviours, and their response to treatment.
Professor Schmaal said she was honoured to receive the award, and excited to see the advances in knowledge made possible by international collaboration.
“I’m very proud of our international consortium, which have allowed us to create the world’s largest depression data sharing initiative, uniting over 50 research institutes across 16 countries to better understand how brain abnormalities impact depression and suicidality,” Professor Schmaal said.
“This award highlights how powerful collaboration can be. Instead of working in silos, we’re sharing data across continents to undertake the largest neuroimaging studies to date on depression-related changes in the brain, and better understand the brain characteristics related to things like suicide, childhood trauma, insomnia and brain aging.
“Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, and we still don’t fully understand how it affects the brain. Our work is helping to change that, with the goal of developing more targeted and effective treatments for the people who need them most.”
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The International College of Neuropsychopharmacology was established over 60 years ago in Zurich, and connects biologists, researchers, psychiatrists, neurologists, pharmacologists and psychologists worldwide. The annual World Congress acts as a forum for interdisciplinary discussion of recent breakthroughs and developments, and this year has returned to Australia for the first time in nearly 30 years.