David Goodman-Meza, MD, PhD, is a Senior Research Associate at the Kirby Institute in the University of New South Wales. He is a physician specialized in internal medicine, infectious diseases, and addiction medicine. His research work is focused on the relationship of substance use disorders and infectious diseases.

Dr Jack Wilson is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Matilda Centre, the University of Sydney. His research focuses on patterns of cannabis and other drug use, associated health outcomes, and implications for Australian cannabis policy.

Dr. Shazia Abbas is a Trainee Biostatistician at the NSW Ministry of Health, where she also served as a Senior Epidemiologist. She holds an MBBS and a PhD in Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Statistics. Her areas of interest include cardiovascular diseases, injecting drug use, and maternal and child health.

Tara Alcorn completed her Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours Class I at The University of Queensland in 2021, before starting as a Senior Research Assistant/Technician under Professor Leanne Hides in 2022. Tara’s interests include substance use, mental health and homelessness, informed by her research experience and previous non-government work.

Jack is a PhD candidate at the UQ National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research. His PhD investigates the effects and underlying factors of cannabis vaping, focusing on young people and mental health. Jack is passionate about using his research to inform harm reduction policies on youth substance use.

Michael Doyle is a Bardi Man and a research-focused academic at the University of Sydney. He has worked in Aboriginal health for over 20 years, commencing his career as an Aboriginal Health Worker at the Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service. Michael moved into Aboriginal health research in 2008 and utilises a mixed-methods approach in his work. Presently, Michael is the Head of the Aboriginal and Priority Populations team at the Edith Collins Centre for translational research in alcohol, drugs, and toxicology. His research aims to improve health service delivery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who use alcohol and/or other drugs. Michael’s research also has a focus on improving health service delivery for those in the criminal justice system. Michael is an active member of the Aboriginal community and has served on Aboriginal community-controlled organisation boards. He is also the co-chair of the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW’s Human Research Ethics Committee.

Steve Teekens is the Executive Director at Na-Me-Res (Native Men’s Residence) where he has worked since 2008. He has been working with the marginalized and homeless sector in Toronto since 1995. Steve is a member of Nipissing First Nation, has a master’s degree in public administration from Queen’s University. Steve is very active in Toronto’s Indigenous Community where he volunteers at Toronto Aboriginal Social Services Council (TASSC), Aboriginal Legal Services Community Council Program. Steve also teaches traditional drumming and to the youth and men at various Native organizations inside and outside of Toronto. Steve enjoys working and volunteering in the Indigenous Community and wishes to see people overcome their obstacles and find the resilience in themselves to succeed in life.

Steve Teekens is the Executive Director at Na-Me-Res (Native Men’s Residence) where he has worked since 2008. He has been working with the marginalized and homeless sector in Toronto since 1995. Steve is a member of Nipissing First Nation, has a master’s degree in public administration from Queen’s University. Steve is very active in Toronto’s Indigenous Community where he volunteers at Toronto Aboriginal Social Services Council (TASSC), Aboriginal Legal Services Community Council Program. Steve also teaches traditional drumming and to the youth and men at various Native organizations inside and outside of Toronto. Steve enjoys working and volunteering in the Indigenous Community and wishes to see people overcome their obstacles and find the resilience in themselves to succeed in life.