A new generation of mental health and substance use researchers

The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use is excited to welcome six new PhD students to the Centre’s thriving PhD student cohort.

Julia Boyle

headspace Evidence Building Scholarship recipient

Project titled: Pathways to care, prevention and early intervention for youth mental health and substance use in rural, regional and remote areas.

Supervisors: Professor Maree Teesson, Associate Professor Cath Chapman and Dr Marlee Bower

"I've chosen to do a PhD focusing on youth mental health and substance use in rural, regional and remote areas because of the health inequalities in these communities. In particular, rural and remote communities don't have the same access to mental health services as people living in major cities. Every person in Australia should have access to mental health support, programs and services, regardless of where they live."

Zachary Bryant

Matilda Centre PhD Scholarship recipient

Project titled: Understanding the relationship between MDMA, mental health and addiction and the implications for novel psychedelic treatments.

Supervisors: Professor Tim Slade, Dr Kirsten Morley

"I am interested in better understanding the direction of the relationship between MDMA use and internalising symptoms and the implications this has for novel psychedelic-assisted therapies for mental health and addictive disorders."

Tara Guckel

NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship recipient

Project titled: Advancing the prevention and early intervention for co-occurring anxiety and alcohol use disorders.

Supervisors: Associate Professor Lexine Stapinski, Professor Nicola Newton, Dr Katrina Prior

"Seeing firsthand the ways alcohol and anxiety can impact people I hope my PhD can pave the way for helping those individuals, as well as preventing these concerns among generations to come."

Erin Madden

NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship recipient

Project titled: Improving evidence-based practice for comorbid alcohol and other drug and mental health conditions: The role of implementation science and quality improvement toolkits.

Supervisors: Dr Christina Marel and Dr Alana Fisher

"I'm passionate about ensuring all Australians have access to evidence-based treatment for mental and substance use disorders. Currently, estimates indicate that it takes 17 years for research evidence to be implemented, and I hope by co-designing and implementing an evidence-based tool I can contribute to closing this evidence-to-practice gap."

Leslie Peters

Matilda Centre PhD Scholarship recipient

Project titled: Reducing disparities in mental ill-health, substance use, and their co-occurrence, among sexuality and gender-diverse (LGBTQ+) young people using a trauma-informed prevention approach

Supervisors: Dr Emma Barrett, Professor Nicola Newton and Dr Yael Perry

"This PhD will address several big-ticket social determinants of queer and trans health in a timely, rigorous and policy-relevant fashion."

Jayden Sercombe

Matilda Centre PhD Scholarship recipient

Project titled: Prevention and early intervention for substance use and mental health problems in crisis supporters.

Supervisors: Professor Katherine Mills, Dr Emma Devine and Dr Mark Deady

"Crisis support lines have received record call volumes throughout the pandemic. As a text crisis supporter myself, I want to understand more about how crisis supports have been affected and what can be done to help."

Our newest cohort of students will contribute to mental health and substance use prevention, early intervention, and treatment research across a range of topics and populations.

The Matilda Centre is excited to guide and support these students on their PhD journey.