Cathy Mihalopoulos

Professor Cathy Mihalopoulos leads the Health Economics Group (HEG) within Monash University's School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine. Her expertise lies in economic evaluation techniques applied to mental health and psychosocial care contexts. She oversees Australia’s largest academic health economics team specializing in mental health economics, funded entirely by research grants. With over 200 publications and $75M+ in grant funding, she holds leadership roles in national/international committees like the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC-ESC).

Research Focus: Her work emphasizes cost-effectiveness analysis, mental health interventions, and healthcare policy. Key contributions include evaluations of youth mental health services, workplace mental health programs, and alcohol-related behaviors. Her research aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in promoting mental health and well-being (SDG 3) and sustainable communities (SDG 11).

Awards:

• 2023 HEAT Excellence in Trial-Based Health Economics Award
• 2021 Research Australia Health Services Research Award (Highly Commended)
• 2011 Strategic Research Cluster Award (Mid-Career Researcher)

Grants & Teaching: Coordinated Monash’s Master of Health Management and Masters of Health Administration programs (2023–2024). Led over 55 active research projects, including evaluations of prevention care services and trans youth health initiatives. Collaborates with organizations like the Butterfly Foundation and the Australian Clinical Trials Alliance.