Dr Brittany Mitchell, Senior Research Officer at QIMR Berghofer, is addressing the urgent need for more accurate and personalised approaches to mental health care. Depression and anxiety affect millions worldwide, yet current diagnosis and treatment often rely on trial and error. This one-size-fits-all model fails to reflect the biological diversity across individuals.
Dr Mitchell uses large-scale genetic datasets to uncover the biological mechanisms driving mental health conditions. She has co-led international studies identifying risk genes for depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety, and developed polygenic scores that can predict individual risk, illness progression, and treatment response.
Her current work focuses on understanding the genetic factors that shape different subtypes of depression and anxiety, including treatment-resistant forms. By revealing the biological underpinnings of these subtypes, Dr Mitchell aims to transform how mental illness is diagnosed and treated—paving the way for more precise and personalised mental health care.