Rate My Professor Lisa Dell

Associate Professor Lisa Dell is a leading researcher in posttraumatic mental health at the University of Melbourne's Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. As Principal Research Fellow, Senior Research Fellow, and Director of Research and Evaluation at Phoenix Australia, Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, she leads the veteran and first responder research program. Dell holds a PhD in psychology and a Master's in evaluation, with over 15 years of specialization in military, veteran, and first responder mental health research. She is recognized as a national leader and translational expert, focusing on trauma, PTSD, moral injury, resilience factors, and effective psychosocial interventions. Her work emphasizes scalable, evidence-based treatments to improve mental health outcomes for high-risk populations.

Dell spearheaded the RESTORE trial, Australia's largest treatment study for PTSD in military personnel and veterans, demonstrating that a brief intensive course of prolonged exposure therapy delivered rapid, sustained symptom relief superior to standard care. This research, conducted with Professor David Forbes, earned inclusion in the NHMRC's annual top 10 publications. Key publications include 'Mental health across the early years in the military' (Psychological Medicine, 2022), tracking longitudinal mental health trajectories during early service; 'Trauma, resilience and significant relationships: Sex differences in protective factors for military mental health' (Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 2024), exploring gender-specific resilience; 'Towards a Holistic Model of Care for Moral Injury: An Australian and International Police Perspective' (Journal of Religion and Health, 2023), advocating integrated chaplaincy and mental health approaches; 'Long-term mental health impacts of wounded UK combat personnel' (The Lancet Psychiatry, 2022), analyzing persistent effects post-injury; and 'Barriers and Facilitators Related to Work Success for Veterans in Australia' (Psychiatric Services, 2015), identifying transition challenges. Dell's contributions have shaped clinical guidelines, policy, and practice, enhancing recovery and reintegration for trauma-affected individuals.