by Luke Voogt
Geelong scientist Michael Berk has won a Victorian award for more than two decades of contribution to mental illness prevention.
Professor Berk was “deeply humbled” and “hugely surprised” to accept the Victoria Prize for Life Sciences this week.
“I think we try to contribute something that helps make the world a better place,” the father of two and South African expat told the Indy.
“I don’t know if any of us ultimately achieve that but we certainly strive for it.”
In a career spanning more than 1000 papers Prof Berk had contributed significant research into bipolar and schizophrenia risk factors and treatment, the award’s judges said.
In 2015 Thompson Reuters listed the Deakin University professor as one of the world’s most influential scientific minds.
Prof Berk’s key research included findings on how diet, antioxidants and cholesterol medication helped people with bipolar and schizophrenia, he explained.
“I need to emphasise this is very much a team endeavour and not a contribution of an individual,” he said.
Prof Berk, who moved to Australia in 2001, welcomed the $50,000 prize for the award.
“The most time-consuming part of a researcher’s job is finding funding for what we do – you’ve got a team and you’ve got to pay them.”
Victorian Endowment for Science Knowledge and Innovation described Prof Berk as a pioneer in his field.
“He is a mentor for researchers from around the world in cutting edge areas such as diet and mental health,” the organisation’s website states.
