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
2015
Journal Article
Getting started in research: Designing and preparing to conduct a research study
Macfarlane, Matthew D., Kisely, Steve, Loi, Samantha, Macfarlane, Stephen, Merry, Sally, Parker, Stephen, Power, Brian, Siskind, Dan, Smith, Geoff and Looi, Jeffrey C. (2015). Getting started in research: Designing and preparing to conduct a research study. Australasian Psychiatry, 23 (1), 12-15. doi: 10.1177/1039856214562075
2015
Conference Publication
Integration of Research Into Psychiatric Practice: a Guide for New Investigators and the Scholarly Project
Siskind, D., Parker, S., Kisely, S. and Macfarlane, M. (2015). Integration of Research Into Psychiatric Practice: a Guide for New Investigators and the Scholarly Project. RANZCP 2015 Congress, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 3-7 May 2015. London, United Kingdom: Sage Publications. doi: 10.1177/0004867415578344
2015
Journal Article
Clozapine in the community: improved access or risky free- for-all
Winckel, Karl, Siskind, Dan, Hollingworth, Sam, Robinson, Gail, Mitchell, Scott, Varghese, Daniel, Smith, Lesley and Wheeler, Amanda (2015). Clozapine in the community: improved access or risky free- for-all. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 49 (10), 863-865. doi: 10.1177/0004867415592957
2015
Conference Publication
Systematic review and meta-analysis of clozapine for treatment refractory schizophrenia
Siskind, D., McCartney, L., Goldschlager, R. and Kisely, S. (2015). Systematic review and meta-analysis of clozapine for treatment refractory schizophrenia. RANZCP 2015 Congress, Brisbane, Australia, 3-7 May 2015. London, United Kingdom: Sage Publications. doi: 10.1177/0004867415578344
2015
Journal Article
Treatment of clozapine-associated obesity and diabetes with exenatide (CODEX) in adults with schizophrenia: study protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial
Mayfield, Karla, Siskind, Dan, Winckel, Karl, Hollingworth, Samantha, Kisely, Steve and Russell, Anthony W. (2015). Treatment of clozapine-associated obesity and diabetes with exenatide (CODEX) in adults with schizophrenia: study protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial. BJPsych Open, 1 (1), 67-73. doi: 10.1192/bjpo.bp.115.001073
2015
Conference Publication
Reported Clozapine-Related Adverse Drug Reactions in Australia 1993-2013
Siskind, D., Kolomensky, A., Winckel, K., Wheeler, A. and Hollingworth, S. (2015). Reported Clozapine-Related Adverse Drug Reactions in Australia 1993-2013. RANZCP 2015 Congress, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 3-7 May 2015. London, United Kingdom: Sage Publications. doi: 10.1177/0004867415578344
2015
Journal Article
Community based residential mental health services: what do we need to know?
Parker, Stephen, Siskind, Dan and Harris, Meredith (2015). Community based residential mental health services: what do we need to know?. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 49 (4), 86-87. doi: 10.1177/0004867414557163
2015
Conference Publication
Ranzcp Advocacy to Improve the Physical Health and Life Expectancy of People with Severe Mental Illness
Patton, M., Kisely, S., Miles, W., Roper, G. and Siskind, D. (2015). Ranzcp Advocacy to Improve the Physical Health and Life Expectancy of People with Severe Mental Illness. RANZCP 2015 Congress, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 3-7 May 2015. London, United Kingdom: Sage Publications. doi: 10.1177/0004867415578344
2014
Other Outputs
Informing the development of Tasmania's long-term plan for mental health: a review of policy documents and related literature
Pirkis, Jane, Whiteford, Harvey, Jorm, Tony, Harris, Meredith, Reavley, Nicola, Siskind, Dan, Bassilios, Bridget, Diminic, Sandra, Robinson, Jo, Carstensen, Georgia and Wong, Ides (2014). Informing the development of Tasmania's long-term plan for mental health: a review of policy documents and related literature. Hobart, TAS, Australia: Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services.
2014
Journal Article
Predictors of mental health-related acute service utilisation and treatment costs in the 12 months following an acute psychiatric admission
Siskind, Dan, Harris, Meredith, Diminic, Sandra, Carstensen, Georgia, Robinson, Gail and Whiteford, Harvey (2014). Predictors of mental health-related acute service utilisation and treatment costs in the 12 months following an acute psychiatric admission. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 48 (11), 1048-1058. doi: 10.1177/0004867414543566
2014
Journal Article
System-level intersectoral linkages between the mental health and non-clinical support sectors: a qualitative systematic review
Whiteford, Harvey, McKeon, Gemma, Harris, Meredith, Diminic, Sandra, Siskind, Dan and Scheurer, Roman (2014). System-level intersectoral linkages between the mental health and non-clinical support sectors: a qualitative systematic review. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 48 (10), 895-906. doi: 10.1177/0004867414541683
2014
Journal Article
Cestrum parqui and psychosis
Siskind, Dan, Robert, Caroline and Crawford, Stephen (2014). Cestrum parqui and psychosis. Australasian Psychiatry, 22 (3), 305-306. doi: 10.1177/1039856214531082
2014
Journal Article
Deep Brain Stimulation for obsessive-compulsive disorder – a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Kisely, S., Hall, K., Siskind, D., Frater, J., Olson, S. and Crompton, D. (2014). Deep Brain Stimulation for obsessive-compulsive disorder – a systematic review and meta-analysis.. Psychological Medicine, 44 (16), 3533-3542. doi: 10.1017/S0033291714000981
2014
Other Outputs
Mental health community support sector: review of Queensland Health contracting to non-government organisations
Fjeldsoe, Kevin, Leitch, Elizabeth, Diminic, Sandra, Harris, Meredith, Siskind, Dan, Sinclair, David, Carstensen, Georgia and Whiteford, Harvey (2014). Mental health community support sector: review of Queensland Health contracting to non-government organisations. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Queensland Health.
2014
Conference Publication
Quantifying the Treatment Quality Gap for Adults with Affective or Anxiety Disorders
Harris, Meredith, Hobbs, Megan, Burgess, Philip, Pirkis, Jane, Diminic, Sandra, Siskind, Dan, Andrews, Gavin and Whiteford, Harvey (2014). Quantifying the Treatment Quality Gap for Adults with Affective or Anxiety Disorders. 2nd Meeting on Patient Reported Outcomes and Person Centered Care in Mental Health, Washington, DC United States, 26-28 September 2014. Milano, Italy: International Center of Mental Health Policy and Economics.
2014
Conference Publication
Defining minimally adequate treatment for schizophrenia: a review of evidence based treatment guidelines and systematic reviews
Diminic, Sandra, Harris, Meredith, Siskind, Dan, Pirkis, Jane and Whiteford, Harvey (2014). Defining minimally adequate treatment for schizophrenia: a review of evidence based treatment guidelines and systematic reviews. Society for Mental Health Research 2014 Conference, Adelaide, SA Australia, 3-5 December 2014.
2014
Journal Article
Value of real world economic evaluations of crisis accommodation programmes for patients with severe mental illness
Siskind, Dan, Harris, Meredith and Whiteford, Harvey (2014). Value of real world economic evaluations of crisis accommodation programmes for patients with severe mental illness. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 48 (10), 960-961. doi: 10.1177/0004867414529478
2014
Conference Publication
Clozapine dispensing trends 2004-2013
Siskind, D., Forrester, V., Hollingworth, S., Winckel, K. and Wheeler, A. (2014). Clozapine dispensing trends 2004-2013. Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Annual Congress (RANZCP 2014 Congress), Perth Australia, 11-15 May 2014.
2014
Conference Publication
Clozapine dispensing trends: using dispensing histories to identify use
Forrester, V., Hollingworth, S., Winckel, K., Wheeler, A. and Siskind, D. (2014). Clozapine dispensing trends: using dispensing histories to identify use. Metro South Health Allied Health Showcase, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, 17th October 2014.
2014
Conference Publication
Clozapine: Safety implications of increased usage
Siskind, Dan, Hollingworth, Samantha, Winckel, Karl and Wheeler, Amanda (2014). Clozapine: Safety implications of increased usage. Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists’ Annual Congress, Brisbane Australia, 3-7 May 2015. London United Kingdom: Sage Publications. doi: 10.1177/0004867414529061
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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Master Philosophy
A quantitative and qualitative study of forensic orders in Queensland
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steve Kisely, Dr Claudia Bull
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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
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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
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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