The Academic Unit for Psychiatry of Old Age (AUPOA) conducts research focusing on mental and cognitive health in older age to advance knowledge, service delivery and care and help reduce stigma and discrimination associated with mental health problems and cognitive impairment in older age.
Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned professional, we have something to suit your needs and schedule. With the highest teaching evaluations in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences we are proud to offer our coursework and short course programs to our leaders and future leaders.
- Degrees
Our degrees, taught by our world-renowned academics are the perfect way to begin in the field of biomedical sciences.
- Short Courses
Our short courses are designed to keep you up to date with the latest research and information.
- Current Student Resources
Further information for all students in the Melbourne Medical School, including Doctor of Medicine students, plus links to University student resources.
- Scholarships
The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences offer an extensive range of scholarships and bursaries to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students.
- Clinical Electives
View further information for non-University of Melbourne medical students who wish to undertake a clinical elective with one of our hospital partners
Thank you for visitng the Academic Unit for Psychiatry of Old Age. As a friend and supporter of this centre, you will help create groundbreaking research, and build important partnerships and support community engagement.
- Partners
View the various partnerships and collaborations of AUPOA.
- Healthy Ageing
Healthy ageing involves engaging in opportunities and positive steps so that middle-aged and older adults can optimise their health outcomes and enjoy a high quality of life. Within, you will find a range of resources that may provide you with the information you need in order to age well.
- Resources
View some of our resource materials and how to obtain them.
- BPSD Management Workshops
Here we list a variety of workshops purposed to help individuals and groups with managing those who may suffer from dementia and currently experience associated behavioural and psychological symptoms (BPSD).
Welcome to the Academic Unit for Psychiatry of Old Age, The University of Melbourne
Read more about the AUPOA below, or click on this button to contact us:
Contact Us
Our Team
Director/current Interim Head, Melbourne Medical School
Professor Nicola Lautenschlager
Deputy Director/current Acting Director
Associate Professor Kathryn Ellis
Research Fellows
- Associate Professor Amit Lampit, Principal Research Fellow
- Dr Terence Chong, Senior Research Fellow
Lecturers
- Dr Eleanor Curran
- Dr Tom Rego, MD Aged Care Mental Health Site Coordinator
- Alissa Westphal
PhD Candidates
- Dr Terence Chong
- Associate Professor Ravi Bhat
- Dr Eleanor Curran
- Katharine Huynh
- Julieta Sabates
Research Assistants
- Ellie Bucher
- Rhoda Lai
- Luella Mageean
- Jenny Southam
Administrative Staff
Nicola Dunlop, Personal Assistant to Director of AUPOA
Honorary Staff
- Associate Professor Alex Bahar-Fuchs, Principal Research Fellow
- Dr Tanya Clifton, Clinical Fellow
- Dr Zoe Cousins, Clinical Lecturer
- Dr Alby Elias, Senior Fellow
- Dr Hannah Malmberg Gavelin, Research Fellow
- Dr Anita Goh, Senior Research Fellow
- Associate Professor Samantha Loi
- Dr Liam Nalder, Clinical Fellow
- Rebecca Moorhead
- Stephanie Perin, Research Fellow
- Dr Marlene Tham, Clinical Fellow
- Dr Emily You, Research Fellow
- Diana Velasquez Reyes, Clinical Tutor
Emeritus Professors
History of the Academic Unit
The Academic Unit for Psychiatry of Old Age (AUPOA) at the University of Melbourne, was established in 1989 at two sites: Mont Park Hospital under the leadership of Professor Edmond Chiu, AM, who at that stage was also the Director of the Aged Psychiatry Service, North Eastern Metropolitan Psychiatric Service (NEMPS), and at Royal Park Hospital (Parkville), under the leadership of Professor David Ames.
In 1995, the Mont Park AUPOA site moved together with the NEMPS to St George's Hospital in Kew, and in 2001, became part of the St Vincent's Aged Mental Health Service.
In April 2005, after Professor Chiu's retirement, Professor Ames was appointed as head of the AUPOA. Both AUPOA sites were centralised at St George's Hospital in Kew following Professor Ames' appointment as director of the AUPOA.
In July 2008 Professor Nicola Lautenschlager took on this role, when Professor Ames became the director of the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI).
In July 2015, the AUPOA moved back to the Royal Park Campus (now Royal Melbourne Hospital), to become an integral part of the Aged Person's Mental Health Program (APMHP) at North Western Mental Health (NWMH) as part of Melbourne Health. Since July 2023, after the disaggregation of NWMH, the AUPOA is now part of the new Older Mental Health Program, Royal Melbourne Hospital Mental Health Service.
In 2010, a book outlining the history of the Department of Psychiatry as told through personal reminiscences of past and present staff was published. This book, entitled: "The Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne 1964-2009 - Personal Reminiscences" is currently available through the Department of Psychiatry and AUPOA. Please contact us more information via email: aupoa-team@unimelb.edu.au.