Nadine Ezard

Professor Nadine Ezard is an Addiction Medicine Specialist and the inaugural Director of the National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs (NCCRED) with the Faculty of Medicine at the University of New South Wales. Since 2012, she has served as the Clinical Director of the Alcohol and Drug Service at St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, providing care for people with substance use disorders across inpatient, outpatient, and community settings. With over 30 years of clinical and research experience in addiction medicine and public health, she is recognized worldwide for her work translating substance use research into consumer-focused harm-reduction interventions, models of care, and policy development for vulnerable populations.

Professor Ezard's research focuses on developing new and effective interventions for people who use stimulants and related drugs, with particular interest in substance use disorders among refugees and displaced populations. Her work bridges clinical practice, research, and policy development, with a strong emphasis on vulnerable populations and emerging drug trends. She has contributed significantly to understanding substance use in conflict-affected populations and has published extensively on methamphetamine treatment, emerging drugs, and harm reduction strategies.

Her recent research output demonstrates a strong focus on innovative treatment approaches for stimulant use disorders, including pharmacotherapies like lisdexamfetamine, novel interventions such as ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, and digital health applications for reducing methamphetamine use, particularly among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. She has also led important work on emerging drug surveillance systems and the development of the Australian Prompt Response Network.

Among her notable achievements is being a founding fellow of the Australian Chapter of Addiction Medicine (FAChAM), recognizing her significant contributions to the field. Her extensive publication record spans clinical trials, policy analyses, and qualitative studies examining the complex interplay between substance use, mental health, and social determinants.

Professor Ezard previously worked for international organizations including the World Health Organization, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, bringing a global perspective to her work in Australia. She continues to influence both national and international approaches to substance use treatment and harm reduction, particularly for marginalized populations.