Turning Point hosts students across different levels and backgrounds, from Honours, Master’s and PhD students, to medical practitioners and clinicians undertaking research projects.
Learn more about the experiences and achievements of some of our current students, and what their research means to them.
Ramez Bathish
Candidacy: PhD
Supervisors: Dr Michael Savic, A/Prof Cameron Duff
Title of project: Examining discourses, practices and experiences of alcohol and other drug residential rehabilitation
Research group: Clinical & Social Research (CSR), Turning Point (Richmond), Eastern Health Clinical School (Monash University)
Background
Ramez Bathish is a PhD candidate and Research Officer at Monash University’s Eastern Health Clinical School, based at Turning Point in the Clinical & Social Research (CSR) team. Ramez has more than 15 years’ experience working in the alcohol and other drug (AOD) sector in Melbourne, with a background in AOD research, community development, harm reduction and community health.
Ramez has worked as a Research Officer at Monash University and Turning Point since 2014, working on a range of clinical trials and observational studies related to alcohol and other drug use. Ramez also teaches at Monash University in the Graduate Program of Addictive Behaviours (GPAB) and coordinates ASC5010 ‘Gambling, Gaming and Other Behavioural Addictions’.
Ramez is a member of the Eastern Health Human Research Ethics Committee, and is the Language Editor at the International Journal of Drug Policy. Ramez's research interests include social and cultural aspects of AOD use, experiences of care and treatment, addiction and recovery concepts, and stigma.
What’s your research about?
Alcohol and other drug residential rehabilitation forms a major part of the Australian alcohol and other drug treatment landscape. While alcohol and other drug residential rehabilitation is commonly thought of as a treatment of last resort, evidence around its efficacy remains mixed and treatment completion rates are typically very low.
Little is understood about the therapeutic process in residential rehabilitation, which is often referred to as a ‘black box’. Crucially, there remains a dearth of literature around the ways in which different treatment discourses and practices interact in residential rehabilitation and their effects on clients’ understanding of themselves, their concerns and their experiences of treatment.
My ethnographic study aims to collate and analyse qualitative information gathered at one residential rehabilitation service in Victoria, including policy data, observational data, and interviews with people who have accessed treatment and addiction professionals.
Data to be collected will seek to understand the views, perceptions and experiences of people who have sought treatment at Therapeutic Communities in Victoria; the different treatment models and practices at work in Therapeutic Communities; and the ways in which different treatment models and practices interact in Therapeutic Communities and their effects on clients’ understanding of themselves, their concerns and their experiences of treatment.
What are you passionate about?
Working with people who use drugs to build new knowledge that informs the development of alcohol and drug treatment systems that better address people’s needs and wellbeing over time.
Why did you choose Monash University and/or Turning Point for your studies?
Turning Point is a leading centre for alcohol and other drug treatment and research in Australia. As a place that specialises in alcohol and other drug related treatment, research and education, it is the perfect fit for me as my PhD research looks at the intersection of these three things.
My supervisor, Michael Savic, has specific expertise in alcohol and other drug recovery, treatment and care.
In combination, these things I feel best position me to contribute to enacting positive change with people accessing residential alcohol and other drug treatment and care in Victoria.
How has Monash University and/or Turning Point supported your studies?
Monash University and Turning Point have supported my studies by providing me with a very supportive learning environment, including very generous supervision, and networking opportunities in the AOD sector nationally and internationally, including through the Monash Addiction Research Centre and opportunities to attend conferences and meet other addiction researchers.
I’ve also had the opportunity to teach in the Master’s Program of Addictive Behaviours, which has been invaluable as both a top-up to my scholarship and a useful opportunity to think with and about the concepts I am working with across my PhD.
What did you do before starting your post-graduate studies?
I had been heavily involved in the alcohol and other drug (AOD) sector within Melbourne before my studies commenced, with a background in AOD research, community development, harm reduction and community health.
Do you have plans for what you’d like to do after your studies?
I would like to continue to pursue opportunities to undertake research into alcohol and other drug treatment and care.
Georgia Bolt
Candidacy: PhD
Supervisors: Prof Victoria Manning
Title of project: Personalised approach avoidance training for older adults with heavy alcohol use: A novel mHealth intervention
Research group: Clinical & Social Research (CSR), Turning Point (Richmond), Eastern Health Clinical School (Monash University)
Background
Georgia holds a Bachelor of Arts (University of Melbourne), Honours in Psychology (University of Melbourne), and Master of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology) (University of Melbourne). She is a Board-Approved psychologist (PBA), working as a Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist at Austin Health and Turning Point. She has experience working with individuals across the lifespan with a range of neurological, psychiatric, medical, and neuropsychological conditions. In her clinical work, she supports the management of clients presenting with cognitive and behavioural difficulties in the context of addiction, builds internal and external stakeholder relationships, and contributes to education and training within the Victorian AOD sector.
Georgia commenced further doctoral training with Monash University through the Eastern Health Clinical School and Turning Point in 2021 with a view to advancing her clinical-research career and translating research findings meaningfully into clinical practice. Her research interests relate to optimising diagnostic and treatment outcomes within the field of neuropsychology, with a specific focus on cognitive rehabilitation and remediation, addiction, acquired brain injury, and neurodevelopmental and degenerative disorders across the lifespan.
What’s your research about?
We know that heavy alcohol use is a problem, not just in Australia but globally. Of particular concern is alcohol use amongst middle-age to older adults. This group is more likely to drink at risky levels and experience alcohol-related harms, including cognitive impairment. As a neuropsychologist, I often speak to patients about the importance of modifying lifestyle-related factors to improve brain health, with alcohol intake being a potentially modifiable treatment target.
Unfortunately, there is no ‘silver bullet’ with respect to treatment options for hazardous alcohol use.
The challenge I often confront within the clinical practice setting is how best to support individuals with alcohol use disorders and who frequently re-present to hospital with a range of associated health-related conditions, such as falls, cardiovascular disease, poor mental health, cognitive impairments. There are multiple barriers that limit access to formal alcohol treatment services, particularly for older adults, and existing psychological and pharmacological therapies are not always clinically indicated. To address these issues and optimise patient outcomes, I seek to find a new way forward within the field of alcohol treatments, specifically focusing on novel forms and delivery of cognitive remediation.
My doctoral studies include a systematic review & meta-analysis to understand the efficacy of cognitive bias modification for reducing relapse rates amongst treatment seekers and inform clinical treatment guidelines; qualitatively exploring participants’ experiences of using a mobile-delivered form of cognitive-bias modification to inform development of future initiatives and better understand mechanisms of behavioural change; and a clinical trial exploring acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness of a novel and personalised cognitive intervention amongst middle-age to older adults. It is hoped that findings can guide clinical practice models in the future.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about optimising outcomes and addressing systemic barriers for individuals with cognitive impairment within the AOD sector. I have a particular interest in translating research into evidence-based practice.
Why did you choose Monash University and/or Turning Point for your studies?
I commenced doctoral training through Monash University’s Eastern Health Clinical School and Turning Point to supplement my position within the clinical services stream at Turning Point. Monash University and Turning Point offer a highly sought PhD program, with world-class research and supervision, and opportunities to work with leading experts in the AOD field and translate findings into clinical practice.
How has Monash University and/or Turning Point supported your studies?
I have really appreciated Monash University and Turning Point’s flexibility with study loading and attendance modes to accommodate my clinical work.
What did you do before starting your post-graduate studies?
I had experience working as a clinical neuropsychologist across a number of health services within the private and public sector. I also had previous experience as a research assistant experience, and had tutored across undergraduate and post-graduate courses at the University of Melbourne.
Do you have plans for what you’d like to do after your studies?
I hope my doctoral studies will advance my clinical-research career to contribute to evidence-based practice and optimise outcomes for clients.
Anthony Hew
Candidacy: PhD
Supervisors: Prof Dan Lubman, A/Prof Debbie Scott, A/Prof Shalini Arunogiri, Dr Jesse Young
Title of project: Revolutionizing system reform in mental health: Addressing gaps in the system through big data and data linkage
Research group: National Addiction and Mental Health Surveillance Unit (NAMHSU), Turning Point (Richmond), Eastern Health Clinical School (Monash University)
Background
Anthony is a general and addiction psychiatrist. He has broad research interests but is particularly interested in public health and psychiatric epidemiology. He commenced his PhD in 2021 and is supported by a NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship.
What’s your research about?
The aim of my research project is to understand the clinical needs of individuals who are presenting repeatedly to emergency services for mental health-related reasons, and to explore the gaps in the health system that are driving these presentations. This will be achieved through analysing a population-level dataset of paramedic records through, and using data linkage to hospital and community service datasets to track the journey of individuals through the health system.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about improving the clinical care provided to individuals experiencing mental health and addiction difficulties. I believe that this should be addressed at a population level as well as individual level. I also have a longstanding passion for data and statistics that developed from a childhood fascination with sport statistics. My PhD will enable me to combine these two passions.
Why did you choose Monash University and/or Turning Point for your studies?
Having completed the final stages of my psychiatry training through Turning Point, I was drawn towards the integration of research into clinical care and services. This was heavily inspired by clinician researchers and leaders such as Professor Dan Lubman and Associate Professor Shalini Arunogiri. Ultimately, I chose Monash University and Turning Point as I wanted to be involved in innovative research that has impact at both a clinical and systems’ policy level.
How has Monash University and/or Turning Point supported your studies?
Monash University and Turning Point have provided me with an opportunity to access and utilise their unique population-level ‘Ambo Project’ dataset as part of my PhD project, along with the resources required for data linkage. Additionally, he has benefitted from the regular supervision and mentorship from clinical and research leaders in the field of addictions and mental health.
What did you do before starting your post-graduate studies?
Before commencing my further studies, I was working as a general and addiction psychiatrist.
Do you have plans for what you’d like to do after your studies?
Following the completion of my studies, I plan to become a clinician-researcher, combining clinical work in addictions and mental health with novel research. In particular, I hope to use my research to inform service development in mental health and addictions and improve the provision of care.
Daniel Edem Ramazanov
Candidacy: PhD
Supervisors: Prof Victoria Manning, Dr Joshua Garfield, Prof Dan Lubman
Title of project: Examining and Modifying Bias to Alcohol Related Cues (EMBARC)
Research group: Clinical & Social Research (CSR), Turning Point (Richmond), Eastern Health Clinical School (Monash University)
Background
Daniel has a background in neuroscience and biomedical science. He holds a Bachelor of Health Science (Professional) from Swinburne University of Technology, with a 12-month full-time placement at the Alfred Department of Neurology. He performed his Honours research in Neuroscience at Monash University in 2022 at the Alfred Hospital, aiming to understand the role of sleep in predicting binge-drinking behaviours in rats.
Daniel developed an early interest in addiction through his volunteer involvement and connections with the Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC), helping to foster his research interests in the treatment and management of addiction.
Daniel’s research interests include cognitive bias modification for alcohol, addiction psychophysiology, addiction neurobiology, cravings for substances, and support services for families.
Cognitive bias modification has been seen to improve patient outcomes after detox, including an increase in rates of abstinence. Cravings are a huge predictor of relapse in the community, and the relationship between cognitive bias modification and cravings are largely unclear. Daniel’s research aims to close this gap by using novel techniques to measure the autonomic nervous system and its changes with respect to cravings and cognitive biases, measuring the subconscious biases and unconscious craving with subconscious signals from the body and assessing changes after cognitive bias modification.
What’s your research about?
My research is about understanding the role of the subconscious in cognitive bias and cravings towards alcohol.
What are you passionate about?
I am really passionate about understanding addiction and finding new and easier methods for clinicians and individuals to manage their addictions, ultimately improving the quality of life for these individuals and their families.
Why did you choose Monash University and/or Turning Point for your studies?
I chose to undertake my PhD through Monash University and Turning Point as it is the leading national addiction treatment service. This gives me the best access to resources and knowledge in the addiction field, and provides me with an excellent platform to communicate my ideas.
How has Monash University and/or Turning Point supported your studies?
Turning Point and Monash University have provided me with great access to leaders in the addiction service. This has led to insightful advice and direction in my research, as well as facilitated discussion and exploration of ideas through various peer groups and meetings outside of my supervision meetings. Turning Point has also been really supportive of participation in wellbeing activities and encouraging of involvement in the organisation of wellbeing events for other students and staff members.
What did you do before starting your post-graduate studies?
Prior to undertaking post-graduate research, I completed my Bachelor of Science (Honours) at Monash University, studying sleep and addiction neuroscience in preclinical samples.
Do you have plans for what you’d like to do after your studies?
I am taking my time through my PhD to see what academia in Turning Point has to offer, while also considering options more broadly across the sector. I’ve contemplated roles in consultancy, management of addiction treatment services, and the support of family members, as well as working with the Victorian Department of Health.
Nic Robinson-Griffith
Candidacy: Master’s
Supervisors: Dr Annette Peart, Dr Rowan Ogeil, Dr Kirsten Schliephake
Title of project: Exploring perceptions of alcohol and other drug service workers, regarding the inclusion of trans-gender, non-binary and/or gender diverse (TGD) clients in accessing public residential treatment in Victoria
Research group: Graduate Program of Addictive Behaviours, Turning Point (Richmond), Eastern Health Clinical School (Monash University)
Background
Nic has a long background in social work, having spent more than a decade working in the AOD sector. Nic has also completed a Graduate Certificate in Sex, Health and Society, as it relates to their interests in how transgender and gender-diverse people interact with societal institutions.
What’s your research about?
Nic’s Master’s thesis assesses the skills, knowledge and interest of AOD workers in providing inclusive care to transgender and gender-diverse people. This research has a strong focus on residential AOD services, exploring the binary or gendered nature of existing services.
What are you passionate about?
Nic is passionate about identifying barriers to service access for cohorts of people who face experience enhanced levels of societal marginalisation. Nic wants to work to create equity for people accessing AOD services who might face barriers of inequity in accessing treatment and support.
Why did you choose Monash University and/or Turning Point for your studies?
Having worked in the AOD sector for some time, Nic chose to return to study to formalise an AOD qualification. The Graduate Program of Addictive Behaviours (GPAB) offered by Monash University and Turning Point has a strongly positive reputation within the AOD sector, and so was the preferred course.
How has Monash University and/or Turning Point supported your studies?
Monash University and Turning Point have supported Nic’s studies through the creation of a well-considered and engaging Master’s program, with the flexible learning environment of the course making it possible to study part-time while continuing to work. Turning Point is also supportive by providing expert researchers who have dedicated a lot of time to assisting and directing Nic’s research project.
What did you do before starting your post-graduate studies?
Nic previously worked full-time in the AOD sector, managing a state-funded harm reduction program.
Do you have plans for what you’d like to do after your studies?
Nic aspires to continue studying with Monash University and Turning Point after the completion of their Master’s research project.
Annabelle Holman
Candidacy: Honours
Supervisors: Dr Annette Peart, Dr Jasmin Grigg
Title of project: Characteristics and Experiences of First Time Helpline Callers with Alcohol Concerns: A Mixed-Method Study
Research group: Clinical & Social Research (CSR), Turning Point (Richmond), Eastern Health Clinical School (Monash University)
Background
Annabelle is currently completing her Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) through Monash University. As a student, she has always been extremely passionate about health sciences and understanding human behaviour.
What’s your research about?
My research is focused on the magnitude of alcohol consumption within Australia, as well as first-time callers to helplines raising concerns about their alcohol consumption. My Honours project aims to characterise first-time callers to DirectLine who have called with alcohol concerns and investigate if there is a relationship between the length of time a caller has had alcohol concerns (problem duration) and call outcome (referral or not) when controlling for age, gender, employment and SES. Further, the study will examine the subjective experiences, satisfaction levels and referral outcomes of those callers.
What are you passionate about?
I’m really passionate about understanding human behaviours and helping others.
Why did you choose Monash University and/or Turning Point for your studies?
As a Monash Psychology student, I’ve always been intrigued by addiction and addictive behaviours. It was through my academic journey at Monash University that I was provided the opportunity to collaborate with Turning Point, facilitating my pursuit in Honours studies.
How has Monash University and/or Turning Point supported your studies?
Monash University and Turning Point have together been instrumental in my academic journey so far. Monash has provided a robust foundation in psychology, while its integrated collaboration with Turning Point gave me an opportunity to gain practical exposure to the realm of addiction and addictive behaviours.
What did you do before starting your post-graduate studies?
Before embarking on my post-graduate journey, I completed a three-year Bachelor of Psychology degree, also at Monash University. During this time, I delved deep into health sciences and developed a keen interest in understanding human behaviour. It was my undergraduate years that set the stage for my current research interests, particularly around addiction and its impact on individuals.
Do you have plans for what you’d like to do after your studies?
After completing my Honours studies, I hope to continue on to complete my Master’s in Clinical Psychology, with an aim to being a practicing clinical psychologist in the future.
Thomas McCullagh
Candidacy: Honours
Supervisors: Dr Joshua Garfield
Title of project: AAT-App Rehabilitation Project
Research group: Clinical & Social Research (CSR), Turning Point (Richmond), Eastern Health Clinical School (Monash University)
Background
Tom completed a Bachelor of Psychology through RMIT in 2022, and is currently completing his Honours year through Monash University.
What’s your research about?
My Honours project assess the ability of approach bias modification to prevent relapse in a post-rehabilitation population. I am also assessing whether symptoms such as anhedonia and craving are associated with relapse, and their potential mediating effect in approach bias modification interventions.
What are you passionate about?
I’m really passionate about exploring AOD use in youth and rural populations, and harm reduction.
Why did you choose Monash University and/or Turning Point for your studies?
I chose Turning Point after having previously completed an educational internship with them during my undergraduate placement. I found it really inspiring to see and hear about the impact of projects taking place through Turning Point, as well as learning about potential career paths within and across the broader AOD sector.
How has Monash University and/or Turning Point supported your studies?
The staff at Turning Point are incredibly knowledgeable and supportive. With their support, I’ve been able to attend student learning groups and meet with a range of people at different stages of their careers. I’m also fortunate to be working as a research assistant within the National Addiction and Mental Health Surveillance Unit (NAMHSU) at Turning Point, which provides a well-integrated part-time income while I complete my studies.
What did you do before starting your post-graduate studies?
My post-graduate studies are really the beginning of my journey within the AOD sector, and I’m excited for what the future holds.
Do you have plans for what you’d like to do after your studies?
Looking ahead, I’m planning to complete my Master’s in Clinical Psychology.
Brittany Robertson-Smith
Candidacy: Honours
Supervisors: Dr Jasmin Grigg, Dr Michael Savic
Title of project: Experiences of Long-Term E-cigarette Consumers: A Qualitative Study
Research group: Clinical & Social Research (CSR), Turning Point (Richmond), Eastern Health Clinical School (Monash University)
Background
Brittany is interested in research into addiction, harm minimisation and alcohol and other drug (AOD) policy. She is currently completing her Honours in Psychology at Monash University, and has previously worked as a research assistant exploring a novel intervention for methamphetamine-use disorder.
What’s your research about?
My Honours project aims to investigate the experiences of long-term e-cigarette consumers. Additionally, the project also aims to investigate health information-seeking behaviours in e-cigarette consumers and their perspectives on upcoming and future e-cigarette reforms.
What are you passionate about?
I’m really passionate about exploring the behaviours and perspectives of e-cigarette consumers, based on the current landscape of policy reforms within the sector.
Why did you choose Monash University and/or Turning Point for your studies?
I chose Monash University and Turning Point for my studies as I’m keenly interested in pursuing research in the field of addiction, and about understanding addiction and interventions that minimise associated harms.
How has Monash University and/or Turning Point supported your studies?
Turning Point has been an invaluable source of support throughout my studies. I get to sit among and engage with a team that are ready to share their wealth of research knowledge and experience at every opportunity.
What did you do before starting your post-graduate studies?
My current studies are really the beginning of my journey within the AOD sector.
Do you have plans for what you’d like to do after your studies?
I am hoping to continue to engage in addiction research after my Honours project concludes. I would like to one day clinically support people affected by addiction.