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
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for schizophrenia patients treated with clozapine
Wagner, Elias, Honer, William G., Sommer, Iris E., Koops, Sanne, Blumberger, Daniel M., Daskalakis, Zafiris J., Dlabac-De Lange, Jozarni J., Bais, Leonie, Knegtering, Henderikus, Aleman, André, Novak, Tomas, Klirova, Monika, Slotema, Christina, Brunelin, Jerome, Poulet, Emmanuel, Kujovic, Milenko, Cordes, Joachim, Wobrock, Thomas, Siskind, Dan, Falkai, Peter, Schneider-Axmann, Thomas and Hasan, Alkomiet (2020). Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for schizophrenia patients treated with clozapine. World Journal of Biological Psychiatry, 22 (1), 1-13. doi: 10.1080/15622975.2020.1733080
2020
Journal Article
Clozapine: a fine balance
Siskind, D. and Nielsen, J. (2020). Clozapine: a fine balance. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 141 (3), 175-177. doi: 10.1111/acps.13159
2020
Journal Article
Physical health trajectories of young people commenced on clozapine
O'Donoghue, B., Mujanovic, A., Young, S., Bridson, T., Mora, L., Bismark, M., Cocks, J., Siskind, D. and McGorry, P. (2020). Physical health trajectories of young people commenced on clozapine. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, 38 (1), 1-7. doi: 10.1017/ipm.2020.1
2020
Journal Article
High Intensity Interval training (HIIT) for people with severe mental illness: a systematic review & meta-analysis of intervention studies– considering diverse approaches for mental and physical recovery
Korman, Nicole, Armour, Michael, Chapman, Justin, Rosenbaum, Simon, Kisely, Steve, Suetani, Shuichi, Firth, Joseph and Siskind, Dan (2020). High Intensity Interval training (HIIT) for people with severe mental illness: a systematic review & meta-analysis of intervention studies– considering diverse approaches for mental and physical recovery. Psychiatry Research, 284 112601, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112601
2020
Journal Article
Systematic review and meta-analysis of rates of clozapine-associated myocarditis and cardiomyopathy
Siskind, Dan, Sidhu, Ashneet, Cross, John, Chua, Yee-Tat, Myles, Nicholas, Cohen, Dan and Kisely, Steve (2020). Systematic review and meta-analysis of rates of clozapine-associated myocarditis and cardiomyopathy. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 54 (5) 0004867419898760, 000486741989876-481. doi: 10.1177/0004867419898760
2020
Journal Article
Antipsychotic medication exposure, clozapine, and pneumonia: results from a self-controlled study
Rohde, C., Siskind, D., de Leon, J. and Nielsen, J. (2020). Antipsychotic medication exposure, clozapine, and pneumonia: results from a self-controlled study. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 142 (2) acps.13142, 78-86. doi: 10.1111/acps.13142
2020
Journal Article
Community-care unit model of residential mental health rehabilitation services in Queensland, Australia: predicting outcomes of consumers 1-year post discharge
Parker, S., Arnautovska, U., Siskind, D., Dark, F., McKeon, G., Korman, N. and Harris, M. (2020). Community-care unit model of residential mental health rehabilitation services in Queensland, Australia: predicting outcomes of consumers 1-year post discharge. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 29 e109, 1-11. doi: 10.1017/s2045796020000207
2020
Conference Publication
Pharmacological interventions for smoking cessation among people with schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Siskind, Dan, Wu, Brian, Wong, Tommy and Kisely, Steve (2020). Pharmacological interventions for smoking cessation among people with schizophrenia: 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.
2020
Journal Article
'A really good GP': engagement and satisfaction with general practice care of people with severe and persistent mental illness
Sturman, Nancy, Williams, Ryan, Ostini, Remo, Wyder, Marianne and Siskind, Dan (2020). 'A really good GP': engagement and satisfaction with general practice care of people with severe and persistent mental illness. Australian Journal of General Practice, 49 (1-2), 61-65. doi: 10.31128/AJGP-02-19-4854
2019
Journal Article
Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials with N-acetylcysteine in the treatment of schizophrenia
Yolland, Caitlin O. B., Hanratty, Donal, Neill, Erica, Rossell, Susan L., Berk, Michael, Dean, Olivia M., Castle, David J., Tan, Eric J., Phillipou, Andrea, Harris, Anthony W. F., Barreiros, Ana Rita, Hansen, Abigail and Siskind, Dan (2019). Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials with N-acetylcysteine in the treatment of schizophrenia. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 54 (5) 0004867419893439, 000486741989343-466. doi: 10.1177/0004867419893439
2019
Journal Article
Varenicline for cognitive impairment in people with schizophrenia: systematic review and meta-analysis
Tanzer, Timothy, Shah, Shelukumar, Benson, Catherine, De Monte, Veronica, Gore-Jones, Victoria, Rossell, Susan L., Dark, Frances, Kisely, Steve, Siskind, Dan and Melo, Catarina Drumonde (2019). Varenicline for cognitive impairment in people with schizophrenia: systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychopharmacology, 237 (1), 11-19. doi: 10.1007/s00213-019-05396-9
2019
Journal Article
The clozapine to norclozapine ratio: a narrative review of the clinical utility to minimize metabolic risk and enhance clozapine efficacy
Costa-Dookhan, Kenya A., Agarwal, Sri Mahavir, Chintoh, Araba, Tran, Veronica N., Stogios, Nicolette, Ebdrup, Bjorn H., Sockalingam, Sanjeev, Rajji, Tarek K., Remington, Gary J., Siskind, Dan and Hahn, Margaret K. (2019). The clozapine to norclozapine ratio: a narrative review of the clinical utility to minimize metabolic risk and enhance clozapine efficacy. Expert Opinion On Drug Safety, 19 (1), 1-15. doi: 10.1080/14740338.2020.1698545
2019
Journal Article
Psychiatric management of anti-NMDAR encephalitis: a cohort analysis
Warren, Nicola, O'Gorman, Cullen, McKeon, Gemma, Swayne, Andrew, Blum, Stefan and Siskind, Dan (2019). Psychiatric management of anti-NMDAR encephalitis: a cohort analysis. Psychological Medicine, 51 (3) PII S0033291719003283, 1-6. doi: 10.1017/s0033291719003283
2019
Journal Article
Meeting the mental health needs of low- and middle-income countries: the start of a long journey
Kisely, Steve and Siskind, Dan (2019). Meeting the mental health needs of low- and middle-income countries: the start of a long journey. BJPsych Open, 5 (6) e100, e100. doi: 10.1192/bjo.2019.86
2019
Journal Article
A comprehensive cohort description and statistical grouping of community-based residential rehabilitation service users in Australia
Parker, Stephen, Siskind, Dan, Hermens, Daniel F., Dark, Frances, McKeon, Gemma, Korman, Nicole, Arnautovska, Urska, Harris, Meredith and Whiteford, Harvey (2019). A comprehensive cohort description and statistical grouping of community-based residential rehabilitation service users in Australia. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10 798, 798. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00798
2019
Journal Article
Authors' reply: Protecting physical health in people with mental illness
Firth, Joseph, Rosenbaum, Simon, Galletly, Cherrie, Siddiqi, Najma, Stubbs, Brendon, Killackey, Eoin, Koyanagi, Ai and Siskind, Dan (2019). Authors' reply: Protecting physical health in people with mental illness. The Lancet Psychiatry, 6 (11), 890-891. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30387-6
2019
Journal Article
A comparison study of three physical activity measurement tools examining acceptability in people with psychosis
Suetani, Shuichi, Chapman, Justin, Korman, Nicole, Chapman, Carly, Dodd, Cassandra, Dark, Frances, Parker, Stephen and Siskind, Dan (2019). A comparison study of three physical activity measurement tools examining acceptability in people with psychosis. Australasian Psychiatry, 28 (2) 1039856219881957, 175-179. doi: 10.1177/1039856219881957
2019
Journal Article
Screening for obstructive sleep apnoea in an early psychosis cohort: a pilot study
Lane, Abigail R, Myles, Hannah, Foley, Sharon and Siskind, Dan (2019). Screening for obstructive sleep apnoea in an early psychosis cohort: a pilot study. Australasian Psychiatry, 28 (2), 103985621987865-185. doi: 10.1177/1039856219878650
2019
Journal Article
The efficacy and safety of nutrient supplements in the treatment of mental disorders: a meta-review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials
Firth, Joseph, Teasdale, Scott B., Allott, Kelly, Siskind, Dan, Marx, Wolfgang, Cotter, Jack, Veronese, Nicola, Schuch, Felipe, Smith, Lee, Solmi, Marco, Carvalho, André F., Vancampfort, Davy, Berk, Michael, Stubbs, Brendon and Sarris, Jerome (2019). The efficacy and safety of nutrient supplements in the treatment of mental disorders: a meta-review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials. World Psychiatry, 18 (3), 308-324. doi: 10.1002/wps.20672
2019
Journal Article
Strategies to counter antipsychotic-associated weight gain in patients with schizophrenia
Marteene, Wade, Winckel, Karl, Hollingworth, Sam, Kisely, Steve, Gallagher, Erin, Hahn, Margaret, Ebdrup, Bjørn H, Firth, Joseph and Siskind, Dan (2019). Strategies to counter antipsychotic-associated weight gain in patients with schizophrenia. Expert Opinion on Drug Safety, 18 (12), 1-12. doi: 10.1080/14740338.2019.1674809
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Dan Siskind is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
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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