NCETA team updates

Dr Annika Theodoulou – Research Fellow

Annika is a public health researcher whose work focuses on disease prevention and improving population health through behaviour change, with particular interests in tobacco addiction and evidence synthesis to inform health policy. She has contributed to large-scale evidence syntheses in smoking cessation and weight management and completed her doctorate on socioeconomic inequalities in smoking cessation. Her work has informed international clinical guidelines, and she has been widely published in high-impact journals.

Anke van der Sterren – Newly appointed Advisory Board Member (AOD Peaks Representative)

Anke is an experienced public health researcher with more than 25 years’ expertise in mixed methods research and evaluation across alcohol and other drugs, tobacco control, blood-borne viruses, and workforce development. She is currently Acting CEO of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT (ATODA), where she has led evidence-informed policy, advocacy, sector development and research. Anke is also undertaking a Professional Doctorate in Applied Public Health at UNSW.

Fiona Endacott – Newly appointed NCETA Workforce Reference Group Member

Fiona has joined the NCETA Workforce Reference Group as a representative from the South Australian Network of Drug and Alcohol Services, where she is CEO of the peak body. She brings extensive leadership experience across the child protection and mental health sectors, along with a strong commitment to systemic advocacy for sustainable change for marginalised communities. Fiona has expertise in policy development, program design, and quality accreditation, and is an experienced relationship builder with government stakeholders at both state and federal levels. She is currently completing an MBA through Torrens University Australia.

      Nathan Harrison – Research Fellow

Congratulations to Nathan Harrison on being awarded a 2026 Flinders University Implementation Science Fellowship. The fellowship is part of the Flinders Implementation and Translation Academy, which aims to strengthen expertise in implementation science and knowledge translation.

       Gianluca Di Censo – Research Fellow

NCETA was proud to be represented at the Global Alcohol Policy Conference in Rio de Janeiro by Research Fellow Gianluca Di Censo. Gianluca presented research on generational differences in alcohol consumption and connected with international researchers and stakeholders working to address alcohol-related harm.

     Stefano Zaccagnini – PhD Student

Congratulations to PhD student, Stefano Zaccagnini on successfully delivering his mid-candidature review, highlighting his research on high-risk drinking among midlife men. We look forward to supporting his ongoing work and future achievements.

    NCETA Planning Day

The NCETA team recently came together for a planning day to reflect on priorities, strategic direction and emerging opportunities across the AOD sector. The day focused on collaboration and planning, and concluded with a painting session, providing an opportunity for the team to connect in a creative setting.

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