Background

I am a member of TRIALS within the Centre for Innovations in Mental and Physical health And Clinical Treatments (IMPACT). I hold honorary appointments with the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne and Barwon Health. I have established a solid track record with over 200 publications and several successful grants totally over $AUD 30 million.

I am committed to providing better treatment outcomes for people with mental disorders and actively involved in ensuring my research reaches community forums and outcomes are directly translated into clinical practice. I have a particular focus on lived experience in research and I am involved in a variety of projects as well as co-chairing Deakin’s Community Research Engagement Network (CREN).

Research Focus

I have a research program targeted at novel therapies for people experiencing mental illness. The program involves clinical trials and investigation of biological outcomes relevant to the treatment and underlying understanding of mental illness. I also have a strategic plan to enhance and expand my research impact and translation. I hold positions within professional societies and have contributed to the publication of treatment guidelines and policy implementation. The outcomes of my adjunctive minocycline and mangosteen pericarp trials have improved the health outcomes of individuals with psychiatric disorders.

Awards & Achievements

  • 2025 MAGNET Trial of the Year – Tina Trial – Co-author
  • 2022 Web of Science/Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researcher for 2022 – Crossfield
  • 2021 Biological Psychiatry Australia Conference 2021 – Best Paper Award
  • 2021 Web of Science/Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researcher for 2021 – Crossfield
  • 2020 Web of Science/Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researcher for 2020 – Crossfield
  • 2019 Web of Science/Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researcher for 2019 – Crossfield
  • 2019 Telstra Business Women’s Award Finalist – Victoria Public Sector and Academia
  • Nominated – 2017 Women in Community Life, City of Greater Geelong

About me...

Pets: Max Power the dog
Footy team: Essendon I guess
Signature dish: Antipasto platters
Coffee order: Strong, and stronger again!

Highlighted publications (selected from 209 publications and 2 book chapters):

  • Dean OM, Cotton SM, Ashton MM, Turner A, Saunders L, Ng CH, Hopwood M, Dodd S, Khoo JP, Walker AJ, Chatterton ML, Kavanagh BE, Nadjidai SE, Lo Monaco SL, Harvey BH, Malhi GS, Brown E, Skvarc DR, Diao D, Jacka FN, Sarris J, Dowling NL, Berk M. The efficacy of adjunctive Garcinia mangostana Linn. (mangosteen) pericarp extract for bipolar depression: 24-week randomised controlled trial. Br J Psychiatry. 2025 Dec;227(6):854-863. Cites: 2.
  • McKetin R, Shoptaw S, Saunders L, Nguyen L, Clare PJ, Dore GJ, Turner A, Dean OM, Kelly PJ, Arunogiri S, Koeijers J, Degan TJ, Degenhardt L, Farrell M, Goodman-Meza D, Sinclair B, Reid D, Cordaro F, Hill H, Lundin R, Hayllar J, Christmass M, Liaw W, Liu D, Woods A, Brewerton B, Holyoak E, Wu BT, Maher H, O’Dea N, Keygan J, Kontogiannis A, Palmer L, Morrison C, Wrobel A, Hyland B, Kiden G, Romeo V, Kyaw KWY, Byrne M, Colledge-Frisby S, Zahra E, Berk M. Mirtazapine for Methamphetamine Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry. 2026; 83(6):581-589. Cites: 3.
  • Dean OM, Kanchanatawan B, Ashton M, Mohebbi M, Ng CH, Maes M, Berk L, Sughondhabirom A, Tangwongchai S, Singh AB, McKenzie H, Smith DJ, Malhi GS, Dowling N, Berk M. Adjunctive minocycline treatment for major depressive disorder: a proof of concept trial. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry (2017); 51(8):829-840. Cites: 129.
  • Sarris J, Ravindran A, Yatham LN, Marx W, Rucklidge JJ, McIntyre RS, Akhondzadeh S, Benedetti F, Caneo C, Cramer H, Cribb L, de Manincor M, Dean O,… Berk M. Clinician guidelines for the treatment of psychiatric disorders with nutraceuticals and phytoceuticals: The World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) and Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT).The world journal of biological psychiatry (2022);23(6): 424-455. Cites: 269.
  • Berk M, Malhi GS, Gray LJ, Dean OM. The promise of N-acetylcysteine in psychiatry. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences. (2013); 34(3): 167-177. Cites: 601

How you can help

Participate in a Clinical Trial

To find out about Clinical Trials currently underway at Barwon Health, click here. To learn more about the Adrian Costa Clinical Trials Centre, click here.

Donate

Research requires ongoing investment and there are several ways to support our work. You can make a donation today and contribute to an item on our research group’s wish list, consider a bequest in your will, or establish a lasting legacy fund in your name. No matter what size, your philanthropic support will deliver an immediate impact to this important work. To donate now or for more information, please contact the Barwon Health Foundation.

Page last updated: August 25, 2026