Krista Siefried

Dr Krista Siefried serves as Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) and holds dual leadership roles as Clinical Research Lead and Deputy Director at the National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs (NCCRED). She also maintains clinical affiliation with St Vincent's Hospital Sydney Alcohol and Drug Service.

Her academic and clinical expertise spans multiple critical areas:

• Substance use disorders research and clinical trials
• Methamphetamine dependence treatment and pharmacotherapies
• Comorbidity management in substance use populations
• HIV and infectious disease intersections with substance use
• Public health approaches to emerging drug issues

Dr Siefried directs significant research initiatives including the S-Check 2.0 cohort study, the KAPPA trial (ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for methamphetamine use disorder), and the OLAM trial (lisdexamfetamine for methamphetamine withdrawal). Her research program has secured substantial funding with NHMRC grants totaling $5,275,062 and additional public/industry funding of $23,496,857.

Her notable achievements include:

• Transform the System: Global Impact award (2024) for the OLAM trial team
• National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre Prof Richard Mattick Award (2022)
• Nursing Excellence Award - Clinical Researcher on St Vincent's Campus (2016)
• Gilead Fellowship for HIV treatment outcomes research (2013-2014)

Dr Siefried has established the National Methamphetamine and Emerging Drugs Clinical Research Network and oversees NCCRED's seed funding grants ($2.7M+ awarded) and clinical research fellowships program supporting six AOD clinical scholars. She actively supervises multiple PhD candidates and honours students while serving on key committees including the St Vincent's Hospital Alcohol and Drug Service Research Committee and NDARC Strategic Advisory Committee.