Professor Suresh Sundram to lead education and research in mental health at Monash University and Monash Health

Monash University and Monash Health are delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Suresh Sundram to the position of Head, Department of Psychiatry, Monash University School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, and Director of Research, Monash Health Mental Health Program.


Professor Sundram has a distinguished career as a clinician and as a researcher. He moved to Monash in 2015 from the Florey Institute, attracted by the translational research opportunities of the Monash Health Translation Precinct (MHTP), and the opportunity to co-locate his laboratory research program and clinical activities. His appointment concludes a national search for the ideal appointee to the position held by Professor David Kissane from 2012-2019. The role will formally merge for the first time leadership of research and education in mental health at Monash University with leadership of research within the Mental Health program of Monash Health.

“We are delighted to welcome Professor Sundram as the new academic department head in this vital area of human health,” said Professor Eric Morand, Head of the Monash University School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health. “With responsibility for medical teaching, postgraduate masters offerings, and research in the School, it is a significant leadership position within the University and provides great opportunities for collaboration with Monash Health as well as with the newly established Turner Institute.”

Professor Sundram will depart his role as Unit Head of Adult Psychiatry at Monash Medical Centre in order to undertake this new academic leadership position. Program Director of Mental Health at Monash Health, Professor David Clarke said, “Monash Health has benefited enormously from the leadership Suresh has provided to Monash Psychiatry thus far and looks forward to this continuing in this new role which will advance the progress of Monash Health as a leading integrated centre of clinical-academic excellence in psychiatry and neuroscience.”

Professor Sundram said the role is an exciting opportunity to build upon the rich research profile of the Department of Psychiatry, and to develop new avenues using precision medicine approaches in translation to improve outcomes for people with psychiatric disorders.

“I hope to foster the further flourishing of a research and teaching culture of excellence embedded within a clinical context through the close interface between Monash University and Monash Health,” Professor Sundram said.

Departing Head of Psychiatry, Professor David Kissane, will retire from service following a distinguished career in psychiatry as an educator, researcher, and clinician. “Monash University sincerely thanks Professor Kissane for his outstanding and prolonged contribution in science and leadership,” Professor Morand said.