Rate Professor Maree Teesson

Professional Summary: Professor Maree Teesson

Professor Maree Teesson is a globally recognized leader in mental health and substance use research, based at the University of Sydney, Australia. With a distinguished career spanning decades, she has made significant contributions to understanding and addressing mental health disorders and addiction through innovative research, policy influence, and public health initiatives.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Teesson holds a PhD in Psychology, with her academic training focused on mental health and substance use disorders. Her educational background has provided a strong foundation for her extensive research career.

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Her research primarily focuses on the intersection of mental health and substance use, with an emphasis on comorbidity, prevention, and treatment strategies. Key areas of interest include:

• Development of evidence-based interventions for mental health and addiction
• Epidemiology of substance use disorders
• Digital health innovations for mental health support
• Public health policy and prevention programs

Career History and Appointments

Professor Teesson has held numerous prestigious positions throughout her career, reflecting her leadership in the field:

• Director, Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney
• Professor, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney
• Former Director, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), UNSW Sydney

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Her contributions to mental health research have been widely recognized through numerous accolades:

• Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 2018 for eminent service to medicine, particularly in the field of mental health and substance use disorders
• Australian Research Council (ARC) Laureate Fellowship
• Named one of the Australian Financial Review’s 100 Women of Influence in 2015
• Member of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences

Key Publications

Professor Teesson has authored over 300 peer-reviewed articles, books, and reports. Some notable publications include:

• Comorbidity of mental disorders and substance use: A brief guide for the primary care clinician (2009)
• “Prevalence and correlates of DSM-IV alcohol abuse and dependence in Australia: Findings of the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing” – Addiction (2010)
• “Trajectories of heroin use: 10–11-year findings from the Australian Treatment Outcome Study (ATOS)” – Addiction (2017)
• “Mental disorders and their comorbidity with substance use disorders in Australia” – Drug and Alcohol Review (various years)

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Teesson’s work has had a profound impact on mental health and substance use research, both in Australia and internationally. Her leadership in developing digital interventions and school-based prevention programs has transformed approaches to mental health care. She has influenced national policy through her research on comorbidity, contributing to better-integrated treatment frameworks. Her role in large-scale epidemiological studies has provided critical data for public health strategies, earning her a reputation as a pioneer in the field.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

Professor Teesson is actively involved in shaping the academic and public health landscape through various roles:

• Regular speaker at national and international conferences on mental health and addiction
• Member of advisory committees for Australian government health initiatives
• Editorial board member for leading journals in mental health and substance use research
• Contributor to public health campaigns and media discussions on mental health awareness