Oliver Schubert

Oliver Schubert

Adelaide Medical School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

A/Professor K. Oliver Schubert

My research focuses on the molecular underpinnings of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. I am particularly interested in transcriptomic and proteomic signatures of clinical endophenotypes (subtypes), treatment response and treatment resistance. This research is facilitated through a number of growing clinical cohorts (e.g. mood disorders, psychotic disorders, perinatal mental health) developed at the Discipline of Psychiatry, as well as through post-mortem brain research and animal models. I have a clinical special interest in Youth Mental Health and in the treatment of Early Psychosis.

Education:
2013 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry Australia FRANZCP
2011 The College of Psychiatry of Ireland Ireland Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Specialist Training (CSCST)
2009 The Institute for Commercial Management United Kingdom Postgraduate Diploma in Health Service Management
2008 Royal College of Psychiatrists United Kingdom MRCPsych
2008 - 2014 Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Ireland PhD
2000 - 2005 Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Freiburg Germany Doctor of Medicine (MD)
1998 - 2004 University of Freiburg Germany State Exam Medicine

Research

My research focuses on the molecular underpinnings of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. I am particularly interested in transcriptomic and proteomic signatures of clinical endophenotypes (subtypes), treatment response and treatment resistance. This research is facilitated through a number of growing clinical cohorts (e.g. mood disorders, psychotic disorders, perinatal mental health) developed at the Discipline of Psychiatry, as well as through post-mortem brain research and animal models. I have a clinical special interest in Youth Mental Health and in the treatment of Early Psychosis. 

Current research projects:

PROTECTIVE TRIAL (collaboration with Department of Anaesthesia - A/Professor Bernd Froessler):

As part of this clinical trial (300 participants), we are investigating the impact of iron deficiency in on women’s mental health outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and cognitive function. We are also finding out whether treatment of iron deficiency by iron infusion positively influences mental health outcomes during the first year after giving birth.

ASTHMA IN PREGNANCY STUDY (collaboration with the Robinson Institute – Professor Vicki Clifton/ Dr Luke Grzeskowiak)

Over 300 participants were enrolled in this project investigating the impact of asthma on pregnancy outcomes. Several mental health parameters such as depression, anxiety, and quality of life were also assessed over the course of pregnancy, and we are specifically investigating how mental health interacts with chronic medical conditions such as asthma in pregnant women.

COGNITIVE FUNCTION AND MOOD DISORDERS STUDY (CoFaMS)

The CoFaMS project (Principal investigator: Professor Bernhard Baune) investigates the relationship between mood- and anxiety disorders and cognitive outcomes such as memory, attention, or planning ability. We are also investigating the biological underpinnings of mood disorder symptoms and responses to treatments through genetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic analyses of participant’s blood samples. Currently, >250 participants have been assessed for the CoFaMS project in South Australia.

COGNITIVE AND AND FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENTS IN PSYCHOSIS STAGING STUDY (CoFAPSS)

The CoFAPSS project (Principal investigator: Professor Bernhard Baune) investigates the longitudinal development of psychotic symptoms, neurocognitive symptoms, and functional outcomes in people who are suffering from a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder. In order to better understand the biological drivers of disease progression in psychotic disorders, we are also collecting participant’s blood samples for genetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic analyses.

TRAJECTORIES OF RESPONSE TO ARIPIPRAZOLE MAINTENA STUDY (TRAMS)

This investigator-initiated naturalistic clinical study (Principal Investigator: Professor Bernhard Baune), supported by the Lundbeck Institute, enrolls patients with psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who are treated with the recently available depot antipsychotic aripipazole maintena. The study assesses patient’s psychotic symptoms as well as their cognitive- and everyday functioning before and during the first year of treatment.

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2018 - ongoing Clinical Associate Professor University of Adelaide
    2016 - 2017 Clinical Senior Lecturer The University of Adelaide
    2013 - 2016 Clinical Academic The University of Adelaide
    2013 - ongoing Consultant Psychiatrist Northern Mental Health

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2015 Award Young Investigator Award International Congress on Schizophrenia Research (ICOSR) United States -
    2013 Award Prof. Derek Frewin Citation for Clinical Teaching 2013 School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide Australia -
    2012 Award Prof. Derek Frewin Citation for Clinical Teaching 2012 School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide Australia -
    2008 Fellowship Molecular Medicine Ireland Clinician Scientist Fellowship Molecular Medicine Ireland (MMI)/ Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Ireland EUR 180,000

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2013 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry Australia FRANZCP
    2011 The College of Psychiatry of Ireland Ireland Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Specialist Training (CSCST)
    2009 The Institute for Commercial Management United Kingdom Postgraduate Diploma in Health Service Management
    2008 - 2014 Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Ireland PhD
    2008 Royal College of Psychiatrists United Kingdom MRCPsych
    2000 - 2005 Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Freiburg Germany Doctor of Medicine (MD)
    1998 - 2004 University of Freiburg Germany State Exam Medicine

  • Research Interests
    Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Neurosciences Proteomics and Intermolecular Interactions Psychiatry Neuroscience, Behaviour and Brain Health Pregnancy and Birth Translational Health Outcomes Innovative Therapeutics

PhD funding: 2008-2014:

Clinician Scientist Fellowship, Molecular Medicine Ireland (MMI) Administered through RCSI, Ireland - EUR 180,000 (AUD 262,800)

Post-PhD funding:

2014:

RANZCP SA local branch research grant for undergraduate projects - AUD 2,500. Procter L, Stacey D, Schubert KO, Clark SR, Baune BT

2016:

Investigator Initiated Project (Industry Collaboration, Lundbeck): Trajecotories of Response to Abilify Maintena Study (TRAMS) – AUD 140.000 Baune BT, Clark SR, Schubert KO, Watson D.

RANZCP Research and Education Foundation Grant - AUD 10,000. Title: Developing blood biomarkers for long-term cognitive deficits in people with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): Schubert KO

National Blood Authority Australia, National Blood Sector Research and Development Pilot Project Grant - AUD 139,000. Title: Preventive total dose of intravenous iron in pregnancy and beyond: Froessler B, Hodyl N, Stark M, Dekker G, Schubert KO

Society for Mental Health Research (SMHR) Early Career Researcher Project Grant - AUD 20,000. Title: Genomic and Proteomic validation of a gene expression module associated with poor response to lithium in Bipolar Affective Disorder: Schubert KO

 

Teaching
Undergraduate Programmes
MBBS Year 4 Clinical Psychiatry: introductury lectures (psychosis, psychopathology); exam-preparation tutorials; examiner for end-of-rotation examinations; preceptor for student placements at Lyell McEwin Hospital
MBBS Year 5: examiner end-of-year examinations
Faculty of Health Sciences Elective Course "Fundamentals of Biological Psychiatry": topic lectures - "clinical overview psychosis, mood disorder, anxiety disorders"; "biomarker research in psychiatry"

 

Graduate Programmes
South Australian Psychiatric Training Committee (SAPTC): Seminars "First Episode Psychosis, Clinical Overview"; "Neurobiology of Depression and Medical Co-Morbidity"
The Adelaide Pre-vocational Psychiatry Program (TAPPP): Seminar "Psychosis"

 

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2024 Principal Supervisor Diagnosis and Treatment of Clozapine Associated Adverse Events and their Association with Inflammation Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Wei Ching Shawn Yong
    2022 Principal Supervisor Investigating the substrate processes underlying the relationship between cognitive functioning and Anomalous Self-Experience, in adolescents with first-episode psychosis. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr James Christopher Martin
    2022 Co-Supervisor Developing Genetic Testing Tools for Optimising Pharmacotherapy and Enabling a Precision Mental Health Care Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Nigussie Tadesse Sharew
    2019 Co-Supervisor Analysis of symptomatic and biological changes in Major Depressive Disorder related to co-administered antidepressant and anti-inflammatory treatment Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Miss Emma Karen Sampson
    2018 Principal Supervisor Investigation into the Relationship Between Mental Health, Genetics and Health Outcomes in Chronic and Terminal Lung Disease Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mrs Debra Gaye Sandford

  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2015 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Genetic Predictors of Response to Pharmacotherapy in Patients with Mood Disorders: Steps on the Path to Personalised Psychiatry Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Azmeraw Tayelgn Amare

  • Board Memberships
    Date Role Board name Institution name Country
    2015 - ongoing Board Member Human Brain Protein Project (HBPP), Scientific Board Human Brain Protein Project (HBPP) -
    2013 - ongoing Member Board of Examiners for Year 4/5 MBBS School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide -

  • Committee Memberships
    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2016 - ongoing Advisory Board Member Youth Mental Health Services Expert Advisory Group SA Health -
    2015 - ongoing Member Early Career Psychiatrists Committee, 17th WPA World Congress of Psychiatry, Berlin, 2017 World Psychiatric Association -
    2014 - 2015 Member 2014 SMHR Conference - Local Organising Committee Society for Mental Health Research Australia
    2014 - 2014 Member 2014 SMHR Conference - Scientific Committee Society for Mental Health Research Australia
    2014 - 2014 Co-Chair 2014 SMHR Conference - Social Committee Society for Mental Health Research Australia
    2013 - ongoing Member Year 4/5 MBBS Course Committee The University of Adelaide, School of Medicine Australia

  • Memberships
    Date Role Membership Country
    2014 - ongoing Member Australian Early Psychosis Research Network Australia
    2013 - ongoing Member Society for Mental Health Research (SMHR) Australia
    2013 - ongoing Member Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Australia
    2013 - ongoing Member Royal College of Psychiatrists United Kingdom
    2013 - ongoing Member Northern Adelaide Local Health Network - The University of Adelaide Liaison Committee Australia

  • Editorial Boards
    Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
    2016 - ongoing Board Member Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine - -
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