NCCRED Clinical Research Fellowship Program 2019
In 2019 NCCRED developed a multidisciplinary mentoring and training program. In our inaugural year, 3 Research Fellows were selected from a competitive application process, informed by the fellow's experience, interest and career aspirations. Applications were accepted from clinicians of any multidisciplinary background (e.g. Nursing, Allied Health, Medical), practicing in the Alcohol and Other Drugs sector. The candidates have been partnered with a senior clinician-researcher in collaboration with NCCRED staff.
Dr Andrew Kozman
NCCRED Fellow
Dr. Andrew Kozman is an emergency consultant based in Perth, WA, working at one of the busiest and largest emergency departments in Australia. His main interest in emergency care lies in the recognition
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Clinical Research Project
With an ever-increasing number of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) being detected world-wide, clusters of severely unwell patients are presenting to Emergency Departments. There are serious and significant concerns about morbidity and mortality from amphetamine and an increasing array of NPS. The NCCRED fellowship will allow Dr. Kozman to:
- Develop a clinical protocol for Western Australian Metropolitan Emergency Departments to collect samples from recreational drug presentations derived from the Western Australian Illicit Substance Evaluation (WISE) study developed at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) in 2016
- Determine the patterns and clusters in the numbers of samples positive for illicit substances and NPS, as identified by Chem Laboratories in patients presenting with drug intoxication
- Assess the most useful form of clinical and toxicological information that can contribute to the various early warning systems and prompt response networks that are currently being developed in WA, and nationally
This contribute to a national registry and early warning system, culminating in the Emerging Drugs Network of Australia (EDNA); and the Prompt Response Network. This will allow collaboration between prehospital services and health departments; timely notification of acute events; and inform clinical and public health policy.
Dr Edward Mullen
NCCRED Fellow
Dr Eddie Mullen is a consultant psychiatrist working with young people aged 15-25 at Orygen Specialist Services, an Early Intervention program based in Western Melbourne since 2013. He specialises in working
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Clinical Research Project
Dr Mullen is currently the recruiting for the MASKOT (MethAmphetamine use in young people: Sub-anaesthetic ketamine open-label trial) clinical trial, and has been involved in the protocol design, ethical and clinical governance approval and implementation. He will complete his fellowship under the mentorship of Dr Gillinder Bedi, Head of Substance Use Research at Orygen, and a Senior Research Fellow of University of Melbourne. During this Fellowship he will also act as a principal investigator on an NCCRED funded study using cannabidiol for methamphetamine use and has contributed to the Psychostimulant chapter in the upcoming APA Handbook of Neuropsychology and a paper on the effect of COVID-19 restrictions on substance use in young people.
Dr Adam Rubenis
NCCRED Fellow
Adam completed a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.), initially studying Journalism before shifting to psychology, where he completed a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Monash University in 2018. His research
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Clinical Research Project
Psychosocial treatment can be effective for people that use methamphetamine, however rates of engagement are often low and dropout from treatment is common. This research explores ways to increase accessibility of treatment and engagement in this group.
