News And Events

Professor Patrick McGorry AO, Executive Director of Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental and Professor of Youth Mental Health at The University of Melbourne, has been elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, one of the highest honours an Australian scientist can receive.

Recognised for his outstanding contribution to science and research he will be formally admitted at a ceremony in Canberra today, joining an elite 500 strong fellowship honoured for having made sustained and significant contributions to Australian science. He is the first person in his discipline to be made a Fellow of the Academy.

Professor McGorry says ‘While it is personally humbling to receive this great honour, I am particularly proud that the field of psychiatry and mental health is being recognised as a crucial area of scientific discovery. I know that the research we have conducted here in Australia has made a real difference to the lives of young people and their families so it is fantastic to have it acknowledged in this way.’

Professor McGorry is a world leader in the area of early psychosis and youth mental health and pioneered the early intervention model of care for young people with first episode psychosis. This model of care, which focuses on intervening early and providing holistic care to young people at the early stage of illness has been recognised as one of the most significant recent reforms in mental health care and has been adopted by the Australian Government and countries around the world.

‘I am delighted that Professor McGorry has been recognised as one of Australia’s great scientists with this honour. His research has led a global shift in mental health services, with a clear focus on translating new findings into services that help young people with mental ill-health. It is a great honour for him personally and a great endorsement of the value of our work at Orygen,’ says Mr Peter Smedley, Chairman of Orygen.

University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Professor Glyn Davis says ‘Professor McGorry has an established international reputation for his work on youth mental health, and his election as a Fellow of the AAS is a wonderful recognition of this. As a University community we congratulate him on this honour.’

Founded in 1954, The Academy is a not-for-profit organisation of individuals elected for their outstanding contributions to science and research, a national body that supports and promotes science through a range of programs and activities.