09 October 2006

Australia's first schizophrenia research chair appointed in NSW

The Iemma Government is taking another step in the right direction in tackling schizophrenia with the appointment of Australia's first Professorial Chair in Schizophrenia Research.

Minister for Health, John Hatzistergos, today officially announced the appointment of the highly respected US researcher, Dr Cyndi Shannon Wieckert, to the new post.

Mr Hatzistergos made the announcement as part of Mental Health Week, saying that real progress was being made to find a cure for schizophrenia.

"This is a real coup for NSW. Dr Shannon Wieckert is highly respected as the world's leading authority on this terrible disease," Mr Hatzistergos said.

"We are making real progress in the treatment of schizophrenia - but we still have more to do and Dr Shannon Wieckert's expertise will be invaluable."

Dr Shannon Weickert - formerly of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in Maryland, USA - has worked alongside some of the world's leading minds in the field of schizophrenia and was selected after an extensive international search.

She will work in close partnership with NISAD (Neuroscience Institute of Schizophrenia Research and Allied Disorders), and its partners, University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute (POWMRI).

Dr Shannon Weickert will work from POWMRI and will officially take up her appointment on December 1 this year.

"I know that Dr Shannon Weickert has a deep personal commitment to make a difference and help find a breakthrough for this debilitating disease. Her twin brother suffers from schizophrenia," Mr Hatzistergos said.

"She is an excellent choice to pioneer the work of Australia's first Schizophrenia Research Chair and the NSW Government is very pleased to have been able to contribute ongoing funding to facilitate this important appointment," he said.

In March 2004, the Premier as Health Minister announced an annual $500,000 grant to establish the chair with the balance of the $1.6 million per year funding to be provided by NISAD and its partners UNSW and POWMRI - a research commitment totalling $8 million over five years.

Dr Shannon Weickert's research has focused on multiple areas of molecular biology related to schizophrenia and to brain development.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au