Associate Professor Janni Leung
Associate Professor

Janni Leung

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 344 32526

Background

A/Prof Janni Leung (PhD) is an NHMRC Development Fellow at National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research (NCYSUR) at The University of Queensland. Their program of research includes investigating the epidemiology of substance use and mental health because they are both major public health issues that commonly occur together. This research program had made paradigm-changing development through 100+ articles, which have recognised impact (15,000+ cites, 30% output in the top 1% citation percentile). Many of their work involves conducting systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and applying statistical models to epidemiological data on addiction and mental health issues to better understand their impacts on populations. Her work is used to inform policies on how to reduce the disease burden caused by addiction and mental health problems in Australia and overseas. Janni is committed to conducting high-quality rigorous research to generate empirical epidemiological evidence to inform decisions to prevent addiction-related harms in the population.

Teaching and supervision: They have qualifications and training in public health, sociology, and psychology. In addition, they have strong research and teaching experience in epidemiology and biostatistics. Janni has worked with a range of students from diverse demographic and cultural backgrounds, including mature-aged students and students with family responsibilities. She currently has a topic available for a self-motivated student interested in addiction research. Janni’s current research focus is on the epidemiology and disease burden associated with mental and substance use disorders across the globe.

Consultation: Janni is available for private consultation and workshop presentations on request for various research methodological and statistical topics, e.g. systematic reviews and meta-analysis, questionnaire and survey designs, cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.

Where can you find Janni: Janni is based at the UQ St Lucia campus with regular visits to the Long Pocket and Herston campuses. You may also catch Janni at the APSAD conference.

Availability

Associate Professor Janni Leung is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Clinical sciences Epidemiology Health Sciences Psychology

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Arts, The University of Queensland
  • Bachelor of Health Sciences, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Substance use, substance abuse, and substance dependence

  • Mental health and mental disorders

  • Epidemiology, public health

  • Burden of disease

  • Higher education

Search Professor Janni Leung’s works on UQ eSpace

305 works between 2010 and 2025
All (305) Journal Article (236) Book Chapter (1) Conference Publication (62) Other Outputs (6)

261 - 280 of 305 works

2016

Journal Article

Measuring the health-related Sustainable Development Goals in 188 countries: a baseline analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

GBD 2015 SDG Collaborators, Abajobir, A. A., Charlson, F. J., Erskine, H.E., Ferrari, A. J., Knibbs, L.D., Leung, J., Santomauro, D. F., Veerman, J. L., Whiteford, H. A., Lalloo, R. and Guo, Yuming (2016). Measuring the health-related Sustainable Development Goals in 188 countries: a baseline analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015. Lancet, 388 (10053), 1813-1850. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31467-2

Measuring the health-related Sustainable Development Goals in 188 countries: a baseline analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

2016

Journal Article

Global, regional, and national life expectancy, all-cause mortality, and cause-specific mortality for 249 causes of death, 1980–2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

GBD 2015 Mortality and Causes of Death Collaborators, Charlson, F. J., Erskine, H. E., Ferrari, A. J., Whiteford, H. A., Alam, N. K. M., Knibbs, L. D., Leung, J., Lalloo, Ratilal, Gouda, H. N. and McGrath, J. J. (2016). Global, regional, and national life expectancy, all-cause mortality, and cause-specific mortality for 249 causes of death, 1980–2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015. Lancet, 388 (10053), 1459-1544. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31012-1

Global, regional, and national life expectancy, all-cause mortality, and cause-specific mortality for 249 causes of death, 1980–2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

2016

Journal Article

Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 310 diseases and injuries, 1990–2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

GBD 2015 Disease and Injury Incidence and Prevalence Collaborators, Charlson, F. J., Erskine, H. E., Ferrari, A. J., Leung, J., Whiteford, H. A., Abajobir, A. A., Knibbs, L. D., Lalloo, R., Scott, J. G. and Guo, Yuming (2016). Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 310 diseases and injuries, 1990–2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015. Lancet, 388 (10053), 1545-1602. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31678-6

Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 310 diseases and injuries, 1990–2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

2016

Journal Article

Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 79 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks, 1990–2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

GBD 2015 Risk Factors Collaborators, Charlson, F. J., Ferrari, A. J., Abajobir, A. A., Erskine, H. E., Knibbs, L. D., Leung, J., Santomauro, D. F., Veerman, J. L., Whiteford, H. A., Lalloo, R., Scott, J. G., Alam, N. K. M., Gouda, H. N., Guo, Y. and McGrath, J. J. (2016). Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 79 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks, 1990–2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015. Lancet, 388 (10053), 1659-1724. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31679-8

Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 79 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks, 1990–2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

2016

Journal Article

Global, regional, and national disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for 315 diseases and injuries and healthy life expectancy (HALE), 1990–2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

GBD 2015 DALYs and HALE Collaborators, Charlson, F. J., Erskine, H. E., Leung , J., Whiteford, H. A., Abajobir, A. A., Ferrari, A. J., Knibbs, L. D., Lalloo, R., Alam, N. K. M., Gouda, H. N. and Guo, Y. (2016). Global, regional, and national disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for 315 diseases and injuries and healthy life expectancy (HALE), 1990–2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015. Lancet, 388 (10053), 1603-1658. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31460-X

Global, regional, and national disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for 315 diseases and injuries and healthy life expectancy (HALE), 1990–2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

2016

Journal Article

Rural–urban disparities in stage of breast cancer at diagnosis in Australian women

Leung, Janni, Martin, Jennifer and McLaughlin, Deirdre (2016). Rural–urban disparities in stage of breast cancer at diagnosis in Australian women. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 24 (5), 326-332. doi: 10.1111/ajr.12271

Rural–urban disparities in stage of breast cancer at diagnosis in Australian women

2016

Journal Article

Identifying the dominant personality profiles in medical students: implications for their well-being and resilience

Eley, Diann S., Leung, Janni, Hong, Barry A., Cloninger, Kevin M. and Cloninger, C. Robert (2016). Identifying the dominant personality profiles in medical students: implications for their well-being and resilience. PLoS One, 11 (8) e0160028, 1-16. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160028

Identifying the dominant personality profiles in medical students: implications for their well-being and resilience

2016

Journal Article

Metformin for clozapine associated obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Siskind, Dan J., Leung, Janni, Russell, Anthony W., Wysoczanski, Daniel and Kisely, Steve (2016). Metformin for clozapine associated obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE, 11 (6) e0156208, e0156208. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156208

Metformin for clozapine associated obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2016

Journal Article

Rural and urban differences in adolescent alcohol use, alcohol supply, and parental drinking

Chan, Gary C.K., Leung, Janni, Quinn, Catherine, Kelly, Adrian B., Connor, Jason P., Weier, Megan Weier and Hall, Wayne D. (2016). Rural and urban differences in adolescent alcohol use, alcohol supply, and parental drinking. Journal of Rural Health, 32 (3), 280-286. doi: 10.1111/jrh.12151

Rural and urban differences in adolescent alcohol use, alcohol supply, and parental drinking

2016

Journal Article

Inequalities in long term health-related quality of life between partnered and not partnered breast cancer survivors through the mediation effect of social support

Leung, Janni, Smith, Michelle D. and Mclaughlin, Deirdre (2016). Inequalities in long term health-related quality of life between partnered and not partnered breast cancer survivors through the mediation effect of social support. Psycho-Oncology, 25 (10), 1222-1228. doi: 10.1002/pon.4131

Inequalities in long term health-related quality of life between partnered and not partnered breast cancer survivors through the mediation effect of social support

2016

Journal Article

Moderating effects of social engagement on driving cessation in older women

Pachana, Nancy A., Leung, Janni K., Gardiner, Paul A. and McLaughlin, Deirdre (2016). Moderating effects of social engagement on driving cessation in older women. International Psychogeriatrics, 28 (8), 1-8. doi: 10.1017/S1041610216000211

Moderating effects of social engagement on driving cessation in older women

2016

Journal Article

Systematic reviews: inducting research students into scholarly conversations?

Leung, Janni, Ferrari, Alize, Baxter, Amanda, Schoultz, Mariyana, Beattie, Michelle and Harris, Meredith (2016). Systematic reviews: inducting research students into scholarly conversations?. Higher Education Research and Development, 36 (1), 1-4. doi: 10.1080/07294360.2016.1190527

Systematic reviews: inducting research students into scholarly conversations?

2016

Conference Publication

Assessing resilience and tolerance of ambiguity in medical students: implications for rural training programs

Eley, D. S. and Leung, J. (2016). Assessing resilience and tolerance of ambiguity in medical students: implications for rural training programs. Ottawa Conference and the ANZAHPE Conference, Perth Convention Centre, Perth Western Australia., 19-25 March 2016.

Assessing resilience and tolerance of ambiguity in medical students: implications for rural training programs

2016

Conference Publication

Prevalence of parental alcohol supply and adolescent alcohol use in 45 low and middle income countries

Chan, Gary, Kelly, Adrian, Connor, Jason, Hall, Wayne and Leung, Janni (2016). Prevalence of parental alcohol supply and adolescent alcohol use in 45 low and middle income countries. Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs Conference 2016, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 30 October -2 November 2016. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing . doi: 10.1111/dar.12484

Prevalence of parental alcohol supply and adolescent alcohol use in 45 low and middle income countries

2016

Conference Publication

Personality matters: Students with a background or interest in rural practice portray a resilient personality and greater capacity for coping

Eley, DS, Leung, J and Campbell, N (2016). Personality matters: Students with a background or interest in rural practice portray a resilient personality and greater capacity for coping. ICEMEN, Sault Str. Marie, Ontario Canada, 20-25 June 2016.

Personality matters: Students with a background or interest in rural practice portray a resilient personality and greater capacity for coping

2016

Conference Publication

Rural Medical Student Personalities are Congruent with Higher Ambiguity Tolerance and Resilience

Eley, D. S. and Leung, J. (2016). Rural Medical Student Personalities are Congruent with Higher Ambiguity Tolerance and Resilience. Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Denver Colorado USA, 3-7 August 2016.

Rural Medical Student Personalities are Congruent with Higher Ambiguity Tolerance and Resilience

2016

Other Outputs

Co-morbid mental and substance use disorders – a meta-review of treatment effectiveness

Leung, Janni, Stockings, Emily, Wong, Ides, Galasyuk, Nataliya, Diminic, Sandra, Leitch,, Whiteford, Harvey, Degenhardt, Louisa, Ritter, Alison and Harris, Meredith (2016). Co-morbid mental and substance use disorders – a meta-review of treatment effectiveness. Sydney, NSW, Australia: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre.

Co-morbid mental and substance use disorders – a meta-review of treatment effectiveness

2016

Conference Publication

Gender differences in binge drinking in 278 countries - a meta-analysis by global regions

Leung, Janni, Santomauro, Damian, Galasyuk, Nataliya, Kelly, Adrian, Connor, Jason, Hall, Wayne and Chan, Gary (2016). Gender differences in binge drinking in 278 countries - a meta-analysis by global regions. Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs Conference 2016, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 30 October –2 November 2016. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/dar.12484

Gender differences in binge drinking in 278 countries - a meta-analysis by global regions

2016

Conference Publication

Medical Student Personality: Relationship to Ambiguity Tolerance, Perfectionism and Resilience

Eley, D. S. and Leung, J. (2016). Medical Student Personality: Relationship to Ambiguity Tolerance, Perfectionism and Resilience. Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Denver Colorado USA, 3-7 August 2016.

Medical Student Personality: Relationship to Ambiguity Tolerance, Perfectionism and Resilience

2016

Journal Article

Establishing and governing e-mental health care in Australia: A systematic review of challenges and a call for policy-focussed research

Meurk, Carla, Leung, Janni, Hall, Wayne, Head, Brian W. and Whiteford, Harvey (2016). Establishing and governing e-mental health care in Australia: A systematic review of challenges and a call for policy-focussed research. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 18 (1) e10, e10. doi: 10.2196/jmir.4827

Establishing and governing e-mental health care in Australia: A systematic review of challenges and a call for policy-focussed research

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2028
    Unclouding the future: Igniting change with an AI-powered social media campaign against youth vaping
    NHMRC MRFF PPHR - Maternal Health and Healthy Lifestyles
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2025
    Developing and evaluating an AI-assisted health promotion campaign on social media to tackle the public health concerns of youth vaping
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    A new scalable eHealth approach to prevent e-cigarette use among adolescents: The OurFutures Vaping program (MRFF Maternal Health and Healthy Lifestyles Grant administered by University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    Reducing the impact and burden of substance use on mental health
    NHMRC Investigator Grants
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    UQ AWARE - Dr Janni Leung
    UQ Amplify Women's Academic Research Equity
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2024
    Establishing an International Consortium on video gaming addiction
    U21 Health Sciences Group International Projects Fund
    Open grant
  • 2023
    Review of alcohol and other drugs program
    Queensland Department of Education
    Open grant
  • 2023
    How can we minimise the adolescent uptake of vaping and related social and health harm?
    Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    How much burden from depression can be alleviated if Australians reduce their alcohol consumption?
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Quantifying the impact and burden of substance use disorders on mental health
    UQ Development Fellowships
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Janni Leung is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Available Dissertation and Thesis Topics (No International Scholarships Available)

    How to apply – Send your CV, academic transcript, and cover letter to <j.leung1@uq.edu.au>

    1. Epidemiology of mental and substance use disorders
    2. Harmful alcohol use and alcohol use disorders
    3. Video gaming addiction in youth and across different population groups
    4. Smoking in South-East Asia
    5. Substance use treatment service use
    6. Cost-effectiveness of addiction interventions

    *Propose your own topics. Research projects would be suitable to those:

    • Highly motivated, proactive, and self-directed
    • Strong written and oral communication skills
    • Has completed or is enrolled to complete the UQ library workshop on systematic reviews and database searching
    • Able to travel to St Lucia, The University of Queensland

  • Areas of RHD supervision

    • Psychiatry epidemiology
    • Alcohol use disorders
    • Alcohol drinking behavior
    • Tobacco smoking
    • Gaming addiction
    • Video game play behaviours
    • Injecting drug use
    • Person who inject drugs
    • Substance use
    • Substance dependence
    • Substance abuse
    • Drug use disorders
    • Amphetamine / methamphetamine
    • Cocaine / Heroin
    • Marijuana / Cannabis
    • Psycho-stimulants
    • Mental health and mental disorders
    • Depression & anxiety
    • Public attitudes
    • Burden of disease
    • Treatment rates and treatment gaps
    • Risk factors and outcomes of substance use
    • Systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Janni Leung directly for media enquiries about:

  • Disease burden
  • Mental health
  • Substance abuse
  • Substance dependence
  • Substance use

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au