ANU honours eminent career psychiatrist

One of Australia's most distinguished psychiatrists, Professor Samuel Gershon will be awarded the Curtin Medal at a ceremony at The John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR) at ANU today. This prestigious award recognises Professor Gershon's groundbreaking research into uses of lithium in the treatment of bipolar and other related manic depressive conditions. Professor Gershon's career as a psychiatrist and researcher spans more that 45 years. During this time he has published more than 600 articles and has won several prestigious awards including the Pfizer Scholarship for Medical Research Overseas and the American Psychiatric Association's Rush Gold Medal. The Curtin Medal is awarded annually by JCSMR to an Australian that has made an outstanding contribution to medical science and will be presented by Director, Professor Julio Licinio. 'Professor Sam Gershon is eminently deserving of this award because of his exceptional contributions to basic, clinical and translational research in psychopharmacology over half a century,' Professor Licinio said. 'He has made pioneering contributions to a number of areas in pharmacology over his career and has initiated research approaches that have been applied by legions of investigators.