Child and adolescent psychiatrist Associate Professor James Scott has been acknowledged as the researcher who has made the most significant contribution to psychiatric research in Australia and New Zealand over the past five years.
The Faculty of Medicine academic’s recent mental health research spans autoimmune encephalitis, an auto-immune cause of psychosis, bullying, clinical trials and the maltreatment of children.
"Over the years I have seen so much childhood maltreatment, I have seen so much bullying and I have seen so many people with psychosis who are not getting better,” Dr Scott said.
"So when I see something that could make a difference to a person's health, I think we have to grab it and explore it and see what is going on.
"Ultimately as a health professional that is why you go to work - to make a difference to people."
"I feel very strongly that I'm winning this award as the result of the work that everyone else has done - it's what we have done together.
"You do nothing in isolation.”
Dr Scott is also the clinical director of Metro North Mental Health Early Psychosis Service and Head of the Child and Youth Mental Health Research Group at the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research at West Moreton Health.
He was presented with The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) Senior Research Award at the 2018 Bi-National College Congress in Auckland.