DrBruna Panizzutti Parry

Dr. Bruna Panizzutti is a Research Fellow at Deakin University’s School of Medicine, where she leads a stem cell research program focused on the pathophysiology and drug repurposing for of mental disorders. She completed her PhD in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in Brazil, pioneering research on biomarkers of accelerated aging in bipolar disorder. After gaining diverse experiences in Brazil and Australia, including a period outside academia that impacted her research outputs, Dr. Panizzutti is working on establishing herself as a leader in mental health research. She has published extensively and played a vital role in drug repurposing studies for bipolar disorder, which have progressed to clinical trials. Her dedication to advancing mental health understanding is complemented by her active involvement in community engagement and academic service, including volunteering with Pint of Science and mentoring students. Dr. Panizzutti’s work continues to bridge scientific discoveries with clinical applications, aiming to improve the lives of those affected by mental health conditions.

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Dr. Bruna Panizzutti is an emerging early researcher at Deakin University’s School of Medicine, where she leads an advanced stem cell research program. She completed her BSc in Biomedicine (2011) and PhD in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (2016) at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Her PhD research, focusing on biomarkers of accelerated aging in bipolar disorder, was pioneering, laying the groundwork for her future endeavours.

During her PhD, Dr. Panizzutti spent time as a visiting scholar at Deakin University with Professors Ken Walder and Michael Berk, where she expanded her expertise in molecular psychiatry. This international experience enriched her research perspective, allowing her to collaborate with leading experts and refine her skills in cutting-edge methodologies.

After completing her PhD, Dr. Panizzutti served as a research assistant in childhood psychiatry in Brazil, gaining further understanding of the developmental aspects of mental disorders. In 2017, she moved to Australia and worked in the hospitality industry for over a year, which, along with her role as a research assistant at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), resulted in no research output during this 5 year period and impacted her academic outputs. Despite this, her experiences during these years enriched her perspective and prepared her for her subsequent role at Deakin University. In 2020, she joined Deakin University as a Research Fellow, where she now focuses on leading groundbreaking studies and mentoring the next generation of scientists.

As a Research Fellow at Deakin University, Dr. Panizzutti has successfully established and led a robust stem cell research program. She has secured substantial internal funding, managed a team of researchers, and attracted critical resources to advance her studies. Her research employs iPSC-derived neural models to explore the pathophysiology of mental disorders and identify potential drug repurposing opportunities.

With over a decade of laboratory experience, Dr. Panizzutti has published extensively, contributing to the fundamental understanding of mood disorders. Her work has significantly impacted the field, particularly her recent studies on drug repurposing for bipolar disorder, which have led to clinical trials.

In addition to her research, Dr. Panizzutti has been actively involved in academic service and community engagement. Since 2019, she has volunteered as a city volunteer with Pint of Science, promoting scientific literacy and engagement with the public. Her roles at Deakin University include chairing the HME090 (Extracurricular Research Program – ERP- for MD Students) since 2021, mentoring in the IMPACT mentorship program, participating in candidature panels, and conducting SOM MD intake interviews. She holds first-aid and suicide prevention certificates and has contributed as a reviewer of event abstracts and funding applications.

Dr. Panizzutti is dedicated to advancing the understanding of mental disorders through innovative research and collaborative efforts. Her commitment to scientific excellence and her passion for mentorship and community engagement continue to drive her work at Deakin University and beyond. As she leads transformative research initiatives, she remains focused on bridging the gap between scientific discoveries and clinical applications, aiming to improve individuals' lives affected by mental health conditions. With a proven track record of leadership, innovation, and collaboration, Dr. Panizzutti is poised to make significant contributions to mental health research and education in the years to come.