Deakin Distinguished Professor Michael Berk is driven by curiosity and a fierce commitment to improve global understanding and the treatment of mental health disorders.
Professor Berk is a world authority in psychiatry research, and the recipient of the 2024 Australian Mental Health Prize. His findings have influenced treatment strategies around the globe including the first clinical trial of angiotensin medications to treat bipolar disorder and depression and the first clinical trial targeting mitochondrial energy generation in bipolar disorder.
He leads the Centre for Research Excellence for the Development of Innovative Therapies Psychiatric Disorders (CREDIT), and Australia’s national mental health clinical trial network (MAGNET).
In 2019, Professor Berk also received Victoria’s highest scientific honour, the Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation.
As Professor Berk puts it, ‘Being able to tickle one’s academic curiosity and continuously explore new concepts and areas is a privilege.’
A healing mind
Fifteen years ago, drug discovery was at a near standstill for psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. Gaps in understanding held back improvements in treatments that were already far from adequate.
Challenging prevailing assumptions about mental health disorders, Professor Berk continues to investigate fresh ideas. Now, his team’s research is aiming to alleviate distress for millions of people.
‘A critical element in our program is that all potential treatments under study are available, tolerable and affordable. Consequently, our discoveries can be translated into world-wide clinical use,’ he says.
Treating more than symptoms
‘Our discoveries provide alternative approaches, particularly for those who don’t respond well to existing treatments. There’s a huge unmet need and my focus is on treatment, because ultimately when people are unwell that’s what they’re looking for,’ Professor Berk says.
‘Treatment is also the most effective anti-suicide strategy and it’s an essential anti-stigma strategy. The stigma of leprosy didn’t go away because of campaigns; it went away because of antibiotics.’
Bringing the lab bench to the bedside
Deakin’s IMPACT began in December 2019 with an ambition to improve the quality of life for people with mental health and physical disorders. By asking important questions about the connection between physical and mental health, such as, ‘How do shared risk factors affect mental and physical disorders?’ and ‘How can we repurpose existing drugs?’, IMPACT’s innovative diagnostics and treatments are at the forefront of new mental and physical health treatments.
‘Our multi-disciplinary, collaborative and responsive approach allows us to quickly translate our biomedical discoveries, made at the science lab bench, into treatment possibilities at the bedside of our trial patients and the broader global community,’ Professor Berk says.
Deakin has a ‘culture of support and flexibility’
Recognised as one of Australia’s most highly cited neuroscientists and the author of over 1600 scientific papers, Professor Berk reveals that part of the secret of Deakin’s success is the unique culture.
‘I chose Deakin because it has a culture of support, collaboration, trust and cooperation,’ he says, adding that Deakin’s flexible and adaptable approach means ‘it’s not ‘rusted onto’ traditions and ways of doing things that are sub-optimal in a rapidly changing world.’
For Professor Berk these cultural attributes ensure high levels of job satisfaction for IMPACT researchers and, critically, translate to effective solutions for the wards and treatment rooms on the health frontline.
Want to study, work or partner with experts like Professor Michael Berk? Get in touch with the IMPACT team today.
