2022 marked another major year for IMPACT – it was jam packed with awards, funding and media appearances. See just a few of our highlights below.
Professor Felice Jacka’s position as an Alfred Deakin Professor was cemented in history
The title of Alfred Deakin Professor is the most prestigious honour that the University can bestow on its staff. This year Prof. Jacka, who is a pioneer in the highly innovative field of research and practice known as Nutritional Psychiatry, became the most recent to become an Alfred Deakin professor.
Dr Wolfgang Marx receives the prestigious Tall Poppy Award
Dr Marx was among 13 Victorian researchers celebrated this year by the Australian Institute for Policy and Science (AIPS). The awards recognise excellence in emerging scientists and their research, as well as their enthusiasm for communicating science beyond the walls of the laboratory. As lead author, Dr Marx recently produced a new set of lifestyle guidelines for treating depression. His research is tackling mental illness by improving the way we eat. This significantly will expand treatment options in the current climate where the global incidence of depression is increasing, and the mental health workforce is overstretched.
IMPACT Joins the United Nations General Assembly in NYC
After years of closed borders and virtual meetings, experts from around the world were finally able to meet face-to-face in New York City for the Science Summit at the 77th United Nations General Assembly in September. Director of IMPACT, Professor Michael Berk and Adjunct Professor, Dr Harris Eyre attended to represent Deakin University on the global stage.
$1.94m in Future Fellowships
A first-of-its-kind exploration of dopamine receptors to better understand development across the lifespan and creating nano-needles to deliver genetic materials into cell interiors – two next-gen researchers are working to find solutions for some of science’s biggest challenges. Both Associate Professor Jee Hyun Kim and Dr Roey Elnathan from IMPACT were among the best and brightest mid-career researchers having received a combined total of over $1.94m for their projects.
An ABC TV appearance with Magda
Magda Szubanski uncovers our physical and mental health challenges as a nation, and explores how we can all live healthier lives – herself included. The Food and Mood Centre made an appearance in episode 3 with Prof. Felice Jacka discussing the important role diet plays in mental health outcomes.
Five Highly Cited Researchers join the top 0.1%
Just last month, five IMPACT members made the prestigious 2022 Clarivate™ Highly Cited Researchers™ list. The list, produced by the Web of Science Group, identifies researchers who have made the most significant contributions to global research in the past decade and includes those who are ranked in the top 1% of research paper citations.
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