We are looking forward to showcasing the amazing early psychosis research happening in Australia and discussing how we could make our clinical trials more effective.
This event is for early psychosis researchers. Clinicians and people with lived experience of psychosis, including their carers, who have an interest in research are also welcome to attend.
Date: Thursday, 14 August 2025
Time: 9am – 5pm
Venue: KPMG, Tower Two, Collins Square, 727 Collins Street, Melbourne (in-person event only)
PROGRAM
8:00am: On-site registration
9:00am: Welcome to Country
9:10am: Opening remarks
Professor Stephen Wood, Professor of Clinical Translational Neuroscience, Orygen
9:15am: Keynote: What the world is learning about early psychosis
Professor Eric Chen, Professorial Fellow in First Episode Psychosis Research, Orygen
Internationally renowned for his work in early psychosis, Eric will share insights into the latest clinical trial innovations from overseas and their potential application in Australia. He’ll also explore opportunities for collaboration with the Asian early psychosis network and address pressing clinical needs for future trials.
10.00am: Australian Early Psychosis Collaborative Consortium (AEPCC) Update
Professor Andy Thompson, Head of Early Psychosis Research, Orygen
10:15am: The Choices Study – An AEPCC Priority Trial
Professor Kelly Allott, Professorial Fellow, Orygen
11.00am: Morning tea
11.30am: Keynote: Clinical registries and registry-based trials
Professor John McNeil AM, Emeritus Professor, Monash University
John has established clinical quality registries, including for cardiovascular disease and cancer. He will share how registries are helping other areas of health solve the big questions, and how the new AEPCC Clinical Quality Registry could be used by researchers to enable breakthroughs for early psychosis treatments.
12:15pm: AEPCC Endorsed Trials – Updates
- Cannabidiol and early psychosis
Professor Paul Amminger, Professorial Fellow, Orygen
- The VISOR Study
Professor Andy Thompson, Head of Early Psychosis Research, Orygen
12:45pm: Lunch
1:45pm: AEPCC Endorsed Trials – Updates continued
- The GAMMA Study
Professor Stephen Wood, Professor of Clinical Translational Neuroscience, Orygen
- Supporting young people: What to expect from clozapine – A resource developed with lived experience through co-design
James Reeves, Peer Researcher, Orygen
- GLP agonists and weight loss in schizophrenia
Professor Dan Siskind, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Queensland
- Avatar supported therapy for hearing voices: Amethyst Trial
Professor Neil Thomas, Professor of Clinical Psychology and Digital Health, Swinburne University of Technology
- The FACES Study
Professor Alison Yung, Professor of Psychiatry, Deakin University
3.00pm: Afternoon tea
3.30pm: Early Psychosis Research Highlights
- Lived experience perspective: Co-occurring psychosis, eating disorder and PTSD, and the need for integrated care
Rosiel Elwyn, Lived Experience Researcher, University of the Sunshine Coast
- Trauma, dissociation, and the experience of psychotic symptoms
Jess O’Connell, PhD Candidate, Orygen
- Using routine clinical data to predict transition to psychosis: A machine learning approach
Andy Sitoh, Data Scientist, Orygen
4.15pm Closing remarks
Professor Stephen Wood, Professor of Clinical Translational Neuroscience, Orygen
