Overview
Background
Prof Siskind trained as a psychiatrist in Australia and the United States. He graduated from medicine at the University of Queensland in 1998. After working with Doctors Without Borders in Chechnya in 2000, he became interested in psychiatry. He moved to Boston in 2002, where he did his psychiatry residency at Boston University and a Master of Public Health at Harvard University. He returned to Brisbane in June 2008 as a clinical academic psychiatrist at the Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Service. He completed his Ph.D in Feb 2014. His research interests include clozapine and treatment refractory schizophrenia, the physical health of people with severe and persistent mental illness, supported accommodation, assertive community treatment and mental health services research. He was awarded an NHMRC Investigator Grant as a Leadership Fellow (L1 2027-2031) an Emerging Leadership Fellow (EL2 2021-2025) and an NHMRC Early Career Fellowship (ECF 2016-2019). He has a current CIA MRFF RCRDUN grant looking at treatments to reduce cardiometabolic morbidity among people with schizophrenia. He was the SIRS 2026 Outstanding Clinical and Community Research Award recipient, and was elected to the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences in 2025. He has over 350 peer reviewed publications, including first author in the highly ranked Lancet, World Psychiatry, Lancet Psychiatry, BJPsych, ANZJP, & Schizophrenia Bulletin. He is a named investigator on over $65 million in competitive research grants, with over $9 million as CIA.
Availability
- Professor Dan Siskind is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Research interests
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Schizophrenia
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Physical Health Comorbidity
Research impacts
Prof Siskind's research has had direct, measurable impact on clinical practice and policy. His landmark studies on clozapine-associated neutropenia demonstrated that routine monitoring could safely cease after two years, evidence that has driven the removal of long-term monitoring mandates by regulators — improving safe and quality access to clozapine for more than 2.5 million people globally. His work establishing optimal plasma clozapine reference ranges is now used by pathology providers across Australia, while his findings on antipsychotic-associated metabolic risk and weight gain have been incorporated into international guidelines and adopted into clinical practice, with metformin augmentation now regularly prescribed for patients commencing antipsychotics. His Lancet Psychiatry Commission on physical health in people with mental illness helped set the global agenda for integrating physical and mental healthcare, informing policy from the WHO, OECD, and across multiple countries. As Chair of the INTEGRATE Steering Committee, he led development of the first consensus-based, algorithmic international guidelines for schizophrenia treatment, which have been endorsed by peak bodies. Through sustained engagement with regulators, professional colleges and health services, Prof Siskind has ensured his research translates rapidly from bench to bedside to policy, cementing his reputation as a global leader in schizophrenia care.
Works
Search Professor Dan Siskind’s works on UQ eSpace
2020
Journal Article
Pharmacological interventions for smoking cessation among people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and network meta-analysis
Siskind, Dan J., Wu, Brian T., Wong, Tommy T., Firth, Joseph and Kisely, Steve (2020). Pharmacological interventions for smoking cessation among people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and network meta-analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry, 7 (9), 762-774. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30261-3
2020
Journal Article
Impact of smoking behavior on clozapine blood levels – a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Wagner, Elias, McMahon, Laura, Falkai, Peter, Hasan, Alkomiet and Siskind, Dan (2020). Impact of smoking behavior on clozapine blood levels – a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 142 (6) acps.13228, 456-466. doi: 10.1111/acps.13228
2020
Journal Article
Electroconvulsive therapy during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic
Warren, Nicola, Siskind, Dad and Lie, David (2020). Electroconvulsive therapy during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 54 (12), 4867420945777-1224. doi: 10.1177/0004867420945777
2020
Journal Article
Clozapine and COVID-19: The authors respond
Siskind, Dan, Honer, William G., Clark, Scott, Correll, Christoph U., Hasan, Alkomiet, Howes, Oliver, Kane, John M., Kelly, Deanna L., Laitman, Robert, Lee, Jimmy, MacCabe, James H., Myles, Nick, Nielsen, Jimmi, Schulte, Peter F., Taylor, David, Verdoux, Helene, Wheeler, Amanda and Freudenreich, Oliver (2020). Clozapine and COVID-19: The authors respond. Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, 45 (4), E1-E2. doi: 10.1503/jpn.2045302
2020
Journal Article
To the Editor
Siskind, Dan, Berk, Michael, Castle, David and Harris, Anthony (2020). To the Editor. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 54 (7), 760-761.
2020
Journal Article
Screening for anti-NMDAR encephalitis in psychiatry
Warren, Nicola, Flavell, Joshua, O'Gorman, Cullen, Swayne, Andrew, Blum, Stefan, Kisely, Steve and Siskind, Dan (2020). Screening for anti-NMDAR encephalitis in psychiatry. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 125, 28-32. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.03.007
2020
Journal Article
Evaluation of the proposed anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate receptor encephalitis clinical diagnostic criteria in psychiatric patients
Warren, Nicola, O’Gorman, Cullen, Blum, Stefan, Kisely, Steve, Swayne, Andrew, Flavell, Joshua and Siskind, Dan (2020). Evaluation of the proposed anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate receptor encephalitis clinical diagnostic criteria in psychiatric patients. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 142 (1), 52-57. doi: 10.1111/acps.13197
2020
Journal Article
Placing rehabilitation at the core of assertive community treatment
Siskind, Dan, Dark, Frances, Carney, Kylie, Gore-Jones, Victoria, Kar Ray, Manaan, Steginga, Anne, Suetani, Shuichi and Kisely, Stephen (2020). Placing rehabilitation at the core of assertive community treatment. Australasian Psychiatry, 29 (1), 47-51. doi: 10.1177/1039856220928876
2020
Journal Article
Monitoring for post-injection delirium/sedation syndrome with long-acting olanzapine during the COVID-19 pandemic
Siskind, Dan, Northwood, Korinne, Berk, Michael, Castle, David, Galletly, Cherrie and Harris, Anthony (2020). Monitoring for post-injection delirium/sedation syndrome with long-acting olanzapine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 54 (7), 4867420927465-761. doi: 10.1177/0004867420927465
2020
Journal Article
Nose-to-brain delivery of antipsychotics using nanotechnology: a review
Tan, Madeleine S. A., Parekh, Harendra S., Pandey, Preeti, Siskind, Dan J. and Falconer, James R. (2020). Nose-to-brain delivery of antipsychotics using nanotechnology: a review. Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery, 17 (6) 17425247.2020.1762563, 839-853. doi: 10.1080/17425247.2020.1762563
2020
Journal Article
High-dose antipsychotic therapy and reflective prescribing: development of an online tool for rapid, easy calculation of antipsychotic total daily dose
Northwood, Korinne, Theodoros, Theo, Wang, Nancy and Siskind, Dan (2020). High-dose antipsychotic therapy and reflective prescribing: development of an online tool for rapid, easy calculation of antipsychotic total daily dose. Australasian Psychiatry, 28 (4), 1039856220917080-413. doi: 10.1177/1039856220917080
2020
Journal Article
Occurrence, prevention, and management of the psychological effects of emerging virus outbreaks on healthcare workers: rapid review and meta-analysis
Kisely, Steve, Warren, Nicola, McMahon, Laura, Dalais, Christine, Henry, Irene and Siskind, Dan (2020). Occurrence, prevention, and management of the psychological effects of emerging virus outbreaks on healthcare workers: rapid review and meta-analysis. BMJ, 369 m1642, m1642. doi: 10.1136/bmj.m1642
2020
Conference Publication
Metabolic Adverse Effects of Off-Label Use of Second-Generation Antipsychotics in the Adult Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Bowden, Sylvie, Tran, Veronica, Asgariroozbehani, Roshanak, McIntyre, William Brett, Agarwal, Mahavir, Siskind, Dan and Hahn, Margaret (2020). Metabolic Adverse Effects of Off-Label Use of Second-Generation Antipsychotics in the Adult Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. 75th Annual Scientific Convention and Meeting of the Society-of-Biological-Psychiatry (SOBP), New York, NY, United States, 30 April-2 May 2020. New York, NY, United States: Elsevier .
2020
Journal Article
Metabolic measures 12 months after a randomised controlled trial of treatment of clozapine associated obesity and diabetes with exenatide (CODEX)
Siskind, Dan, Russell, A., Gamble, C., Baker, A., Cosgrove, P., Burton, L. and Kisely, S. (2020). Metabolic measures 12 months after a randomised controlled trial of treatment of clozapine associated obesity and diabetes with exenatide (CODEX). Journal of Psychiatric Research, 124, 9-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.02.015
2020
Journal Article
Feasibility and acceptability of a student-led lifestyle (diet and exercise) intervention within a residential rehabilitation setting for people with severe mental illness, GO HEART (Group Occupation, Health, Exercise And Rehabilitation Treatment)
Korman, Nicole, Fox, Harley, Skinner, Tina, Dodd, Cassandra, Suetani, Shuichi, Chapman, Justin, Parker, Stephen, Dark, Frances, Collins, Cheryl, Rosenbaum, Simon and Siskind, Dan (2020). Feasibility and acceptability of a student-led lifestyle (diet and exercise) intervention within a residential rehabilitation setting for people with severe mental illness, GO HEART (Group Occupation, Health, Exercise And Rehabilitation Treatment). Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11 319, 1-12. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00319
2020
Journal Article
Predictors of unplanned discharge from community-based residential mental health rehabilitation for people affected by severe and persistent mental illness
Arnautovska, Urska, McKeon, Gemma, Dark, Frances, Siskind, Dan, Harris, Meredith and Parker, Stephen (2020). Predictors of unplanned discharge from community-based residential mental health rehabilitation for people affected by severe and persistent mental illness. Journal of Mental Health, 30 (4), 1-9. doi: 10.1080/09638237.2020.1755025
2020
Conference Publication
Specific Psychiatric Features Identify Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis Before Neurological Deterioration (4888)
Warren, Nicola, O’Gorman, Cullen, Swayne, Andrew, Siskind, Dan and Blum, Stefan (2020). Specific Psychiatric Features Identify Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis Before Neurological Deterioration (4888). 2020 AAN Science Highlights, Online, 14 April 2020. Philadelphia, PA United States: Wolters Kluwer. doi: 10.1212/wnl.94.15_supplement.4888
2020
Journal Article
Consensus statement on the use of clozapine during the COVID-19 pandemic
Siskind, Dan, Honer, William G., Clark, Scott, Correll, Christoph U., Hasan, Alkomiet, Howes, Oliver, Kane, John M., Kelly, Deanna L., Laitman, Robert, Lee, Jimmy, MacCabe, James H., Myles, Nick, Nielsen, Jimmi, Schulte, Peter F., Taylor, David, Verdoux, Helene, Wheeler, Amanda and Freudenreich, Oliver (2020). Consensus statement on the use of clozapine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, 45 (3), 222-223. doi: 10.1503/jpn.200061
2020
Conference Publication
12-month follow up of metabolic measures following a randomised controlled trial of treatment of Clozapine associated obesity and diabetes with Exenatide (CODEX)
Siskind, Dan, Russell, Anthony and Kisely, Steve (2020). 12-month follow up of metabolic measures following a randomised controlled trial of treatment of Clozapine associated obesity and diabetes with Exenatide (CODEX). Congress of the Schizophrenia International Research Society (SRIS), Florence, Italy, 4-8 April 2020. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.
2020
Conference Publication
Metabolic adverse effects of off-label use of second-generation antipsychotics in the adult population: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Bowden, Sylvie, Tran, Veronica, Asgariroozbehani, Roshanak, McIntyre, William Brett, Agarwal, Mahavir, Siskind, Dan and Hahn, Margaret (2020). Metabolic adverse effects of off-label use of second-generation antipsychotics in the adult population: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Congress of the Schizophrenia-International-Research-Society (SRIS), Florence, Italy, 4-8 April 2020. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Dan Siskind is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Food and nutrition security in individuals with severe mental illness
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Urska Arnautovska
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Doctor Philosophy
Manifestations, impacts, and clinical implications of physical multimorbidity in people living with severe mental illness
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nicola Warren, Professor Steve Kisely
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Doctor Philosophy
Management of myocarditis among people with schizophrenia commencing clozapine
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nicola Warren
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Doctor Philosophy
Genetic determinants of treatment outcomes in mental health: harnessing the shared genetic etiology of mental disorders for precision psychiatry.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Sarah Medland
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Master Philosophy
A quantitative and qualitative study of forensic orders in Queensland
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steve Kisely, Dr Claudia Bull, Dr Mike Trott
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Doctor Philosophy
Smoking Cessation in People with a Serious Mental Illness
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steve Kisely, Professor Coral Gartner
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Doctor Philosophy
Measuring cognitive flexibility in rodents
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Thomas Burne
Completed supervision
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2026
Doctor Philosophy
The Quality and Safe Use of Clozapine
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nicola Warren, Professor Michael Barras, Professor Steve Kisely
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating clozapine rechallenge using granulocyte-colony stimulating factor in people previously experiencing clozapine-associated neutropenia.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steve Kisely
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Psychiatric clinical decision making in anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Stefan Blum, Professor Steve Kisely
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
The Role of the Gut Microbiome in Psychiatric Illness: From Prenatal Risk Factors to Treatment Resistance
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Jake Gratten, Honorary Professor Darryl Eyles
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Measuring and improving cognition in a rodent model relevant to schizophrenia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr James Kesby, Professor Thomas Burne
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Nose-to-Brain Delivery of Clozapine in Sol-Gel Systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Harendra Parekh, Dr Preeti Pandey, Dr James Robert Falconer
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the characteristics and service needs of carers for adults with mental illness to inform mental health service planning
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Meredith Harris
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Who receives what, from whom, and to what effect at clinically operated, community-based residential mental health rehabilitation for Severe and Persistent Mental Illness in Australia?
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Meredith Harris
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Dan Siskind directly for media enquiries about:
- Cardiometabolic co-morbidity of schizophrenia
- Treatment Refractory Schizophrenia
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