معرفی
Associate Professor Christina Marel serves as Deputy Director of Treatment and Translation Research and Program Lead of Treatment and Translation in Complex Populations at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney. With over $12.6 million in research funding, she has established herself as a leading researcher in mental health and substance use disorders.
Her research focuses on improving understanding of mental and substance use disorders in complex populations and developing evidence-based resources to support translation of research into clinical practice. Key areas include examining long-term patterns of heroin use, developing clinical guidelines for co-occurring conditions, and creating workforce development tools. Her work has led to the development of Australian Government-funded clinical guidelines for managing co-occurring alcohol and other drug and mental health conditions.
A/Prof Marel leads the 18-20 year follow-up of the NHMRC-funded Australian Treatment Outcome Study (ATOS), the largest and longest-running study of heroin dependence treatment outcomes in Australia. She has developed a four-tiered evidence-based training program for workforce development and currently oversees multiple significant projects including NHMRC-funded ATOS follow-up and Australian Government-funded Comorbidity Projects.
Her scientific contributions have been recognized with numerous awards including the Australian Drug Foundation Excellence and Innovation in Research award and the Australian Rotary Health Knowledge Dissemination Award. Current research projects extend through 2026, focusing on optimizing workforce capacity and developing clinical guidelines for co-occurring conditions.
- 2022 Matilda Centre Community Impact and Engagement Award
- 2021 University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health Makers and Shapers Award
- 2021 TheMHS High Commendation for Education and Workforce Development
- 2017 Australian Drug Foundation Excellence and Innovation in Research
- 2016 Australian Rotary Health Knowledge Dissemination Award
A/Prof Marel has successfully led major grant-funded projects including NHMRC-funded studies and multiple Australian Government Department of Health initiatives. She supervises research students and has developed extensive training programs that have significantly impacted the alcohol and other drug workforce. Her work bridges research and practice through the development of clinical guidelines, online training, and implementation resources that directly influence clinical practice in Australia.
As Deputy Director at the Matilda Centre, she plays a key leadership role in one of Australia's premier mental health and substance use research institutions. Her work with the Australian Treatment Outcome Study represents one of the most significant longitudinal investigations of heroin dependence outcomes globally, providing critical insights into long-term recovery patterns and treatment effectiveness.