Overview
Background
Dr. Gary Chan is a NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow at the National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research. His principal research interest lies in the field of substance misuse prevention and the application of cutting-edge statistical method for longitudinal analysis and causal inference. His recent publications have been focused on polysubstance use (including alcohol, tobacco and cannabis) profiles in adolescent populations, examinations of urban-rural differences in substance use, and the epidemiology of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis use. He collaborates extensively with leading researchers in major national and international institutes, including the University of Washington, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, University of Melbourne, and University College London. He has also served as a consultant at the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime to improve exisitng methods for monitoring global trends of illicit substance production, trafficking and use. This work has made significant impact on how global data will be collected, and these new data will be used by the United nations and many national governments to inform drug policy decision making. He is a Deputy Statistical and Methodology Editor for the journal Addiction.
Dr. Chan is also a statistical advisor at the School of Psychology, providing statistical advice to academic staff and RHD students. Since 2016, he has also delivered several advanced statistcal workshops at the School on R and statistical modelling.
Availability
- Associate Professor Gary Chung Kai Chan is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts, The University of Queensland
- Bachelor of Science, The University of Queensland
- Masters (Coursework) of Science, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Works
Search Professor Gary Chung Kai Chan’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Examining the Relationship of Cannabis use Patterns, Mental Health, and Sociodemographic Factors: A Focus on Cannabis Vaping, Smoking and Dual-Use
Chung, Jack Y.C., Lim, Carmen C.W., Connor, Jason P., Hall, Wayne, Stjepanović, Daniel and Chan, Gary C.K. (2025). Examining the Relationship of Cannabis use Patterns, Mental Health, and Sociodemographic Factors: A Focus on Cannabis Vaping, Smoking and Dual-Use. Addictive Behaviors, 163 108263, 108263-163. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108263
2025
Journal Article
Tobacco smoking in Sub‐Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Belete, Habte, Mekonen, Tesfa, Connor, Jason P., Chan, Gary, Hides, Leanne and Leung, Janni (2025). Tobacco smoking in Sub‐Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Drug and Alcohol Review. doi: 10.1111/dar.14040
2025
Journal Article
Content analysis of the portrayal of prescription stimulants on TikTok
Johnson, Benjamin, Sun, Tianze, Wu, Leo, Seal, Stella, Stjepanovic, Daniel, Chan, Gary and Leung, Janni (2025). Content analysis of the portrayal of prescription stimulants on TikTok. Journal of Attention Disorders. doi: 10.1177/10870547251318834
2025
Journal Article
A mixed‐methods study of staff perspectives on the barriers and facilitators to the implementation of patient‐reported routine outcome measures and feedback in alcohol and other drug treatment
Pocuca, Nina, Campbell, Gabrielle, Barnett, Anthony, Beck, Alison K., Ellem, Rhiannon, Quinn, Catherine A., Kelly, Peter J., Larance, Briony, Baker, Amanda L., Connor, Jason P., Marsden, John, Chan, Gary C. K., Connelly, Luke, Lenzen, Sabrina, Farrell, Michael, Stirling, Robert, Hudson, Suzie and Hides, Leanne (2025). A mixed‐methods study of staff perspectives on the barriers and facilitators to the implementation of patient‐reported routine outcome measures and feedback in alcohol and other drug treatment. Drug and Alcohol Review, 44 (3), 759-771. doi: 10.1111/dar.14007
2025
Journal Article
Do the differing vaping and smoking trends in Australia and New Zealand reflect different regulatory policies?
Mendelsohn, Colin Paul, Beaglehole, Robert, Borland, Ron, Hall, Wayne, Wodak, Alex, Youdan, Ben and Chan, Gary Chung Kai (2025). Do the differing vaping and smoking trends in Australia and New Zealand reflect different regulatory policies?. Addiction. doi: 10.1111/add.70006
2025
Journal Article
The safety and efficacy of cannabinoids for the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Wilson, Jack, Langcake, Andrew, Bryant, Zachary, Freeman, Tom P., Leung, Janni, Chan, Gary C. K., Englund, Amir, Graham, Myfanwy and Stockings, Emily (2025). The safety and efficacy of cannabinoids for the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic Reviews, 14 (1) 23. doi: 10.1186/s13643-024-02657-3
2025
Journal Article
Systematic review and meta-analysis of text messaging interventions to support tobacco cessation
Puljević, Cheneal, Meciar, Isabel, Holland, Alice, Stjepanović, Daniel, Snoswell, Centaine L., Thomas, Emma E., Morphett, Kylie, Kang, Heewon, Chan, Gary, Grobler, Etienne and Gartner, Coral E. (2025). Systematic review and meta-analysis of text messaging interventions to support tobacco cessation. Tobacco Control, 34 (2), 228-238. doi: 10.1136/tc-2023-058323
2024
Journal Article
Wastewater‐based evaluation of the efficacy of oxycodone regulations in Australia
Verhagen, Rory, Gerber, Cobus, Thai, Phong K., Connor, Jason, Loveday, Bill, Bade, Richard, O'Brien, Jake, Jaunay, Emma L., Simpson, Bradley S., Chan, Gary, Hall, Wayne, Thomas, Kevin V., Mueller, Jochen F. and Tscharke, Benjamin J. (2024). Wastewater‐based evaluation of the efficacy of oxycodone regulations in Australia. Addiction, 119 (12), 2153-2161. doi: 10.1111/add.16653
2024
Journal Article
The relationship between young people social media use and alcohol use: a prospective cohort study
Cheng, Brandon, Lim, Carmen C.W., Teixeira, Juliane Pariz, Gullo, Matthew J., Chan, Gary C. K. and Connor, Jason P. (2024). The relationship between young people social media use and alcohol use: a prospective cohort study. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 265 112478, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.112478
2024
Journal Article
The relationship between cannabis and nicotine use: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Yimer, Tesfa Mekonen, McClure‐Thomas, Caitlin, Stjepanovic, Daniel, Wilson, Jack, Chan, Gary Chung Kai, Hall, Wayne Denis and Leung, Janni (2024). The relationship between cannabis and nicotine use: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Addiction, 119 (12), 2076-2087. doi: 10.1111/add.16642
2024
Journal Article
Routine outcome monitoring and feedback in alcohol and other drug treatment: A qualitative study of client perspectives on implementation
Pocuca, Nina, Tisdale, Calvert, Campbell, Gabrielle, Beck, Alison K., Ellem, Rhiannon, Quinn, Catherine A., Kelly, Peter J., Larance, Briony, Baker, Amanda L., Connor, Jason P., Marsden, John, Chan, Gary C. K., Connelly, Luke, Lenzen, Sabrina, Farrell, Michael and Hides, Leanne (2024). Routine outcome monitoring and feedback in alcohol and other drug treatment: A qualitative study of client perspectives on implementation. Drug and Alcohol Review, 44 (1), 226-238. doi: 10.1111/dar.13962
2024
Journal Article
“Everything’s a Challenge”: An Interview Study of ADHD Individuals in the Midst of the Prescription Stimulant Shortage
Johnson, Benjamin, Stjepanovic, Daniel, Leung, Janni and Chan, Gary C. K. (2024). “Everything’s a Challenge”: An Interview Study of ADHD Individuals in the Midst of the Prescription Stimulant Shortage. Journal of Attention Disorders, 29 (2), 120-127. doi: 10.1177/10870547241288351
2024
Journal Article
Systematic review and meta-analyses of cytisine to support tobacco cessation
Puljević, Cheneal, Stjepanović, Daniel, Meciar, Isabel, Kang, Heewon, Chan, Gary, Morphett, Kylie, Bendotti, Hollie, Kunwar, Garry and Gartner, Coral (2024). Systematic review and meta-analyses of cytisine to support tobacco cessation. Addiction, 119 (10), 1713-1725. doi: 10.1111/add.16592
2024
Journal Article
Through the looking glass: an alcohol advertisement every 3 minutes
Rutherford, Brienna N., Leung, Janni, Stjepanović, Daniel and Chan, Gary C. K. (2024). Through the looking glass: an alcohol advertisement every 3 minutes. Drug and Alcohol Review, 43 (6), 1426-1434. doi: 10.1111/dar.13886
2024
Journal Article
Alcohol use and alcohol use disorders in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Belete, Habte, Yimer, Tesfa Mekonen, Dawson, Danielle, Espinosa, Dorothy C., Ambaw, Fentie, Connor, Jason P., Chan, Gary, Hides, Leanne and Leung, Janni (2024). Alcohol use and alcohol use disorders in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Addiction, 119 (9), 1527-1540. doi: 10.1111/add.16514
2024
Journal Article
The impact of tobacco tax increases on cost-minimising behaviours and subsequent smoking cessation in Australia: an analysis of the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project
Cho, Ara, Scollo, Michelle, Chan, Gary, Driezen, Pete, Hyland, Andrew, Shang, Ce and Gartner, Coral E. (2024). The impact of tobacco tax increases on cost-minimising behaviours and subsequent smoking cessation in Australia: an analysis of the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project. Tobacco Control tc-2024-058776, tc-2024. doi: 10.1136/tc-2024-058776
2024
Journal Article
Temporal Trends of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Concentrations Insights from Australian Human Biomonitoring 2002-2021 and the U.S. NHANES Programs 2003-2018
Taucare, Grechel, Chan, Gary, Nilsson, Sandra, Toms, Leisa-Maree L., Zhang, Xingyue, Mueller, Jochen F. and Jolliet, Olivier (2024). Temporal Trends of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Concentrations Insights from Australian Human Biomonitoring 2002-2021 and the U.S. NHANES Programs 2003-2018. Environmental Research, 262 119777, 119777. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119777
2024
Journal Article
The Gaming Disorder Identification Test (GADIT) – a screening tool for Gaming Disorder based on ICD-11
Chan, Gary C. K., Saunders, John B., Stjepanović, Daniel, McClure-Thomas, Caitlin, Connor, Jason, Hides, Leanne, Wood, Andrew, King, Daniel, Siste, Kristiana, Long, Jiang and Leung, Janni K. (2024). The Gaming Disorder Identification Test (GADIT) – a screening tool for Gaming Disorder based on ICD-11. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 13 (3), 729-741. doi: 10.1556/2006.2024.00038
2024
Journal Article
The harms of promoting the lab leak hypothesis for SARS-CoV-2 origins without evidence
Alwine, James, Goodrum, Felicia, Banfield, Bruce, Bloom, David, Britt, William J., Broadbent, Andrew J., Campos, Samuel K., Casadevall, Arturo, Chan, Gary C., Cliffe, Anna R., Dermody, Terence, Duprex, Paul, Enquist, Lynn W., Frueh, Klaus, Geballe, Adam P., Gaglia, Marta, Goldstein, Stephen, Greninger, Alexander L., Gronvall, Gigi Kwick, Jung, Jae U., Kamil, Jeremy P., Lakdawala, Seema, Liu, Shan-Lu, Luftig, Micah, Moore, John P., Moscona, Anne, Neuman, Benjamin W., Nikolich, Janko Z., O'Connor, Christine ... Yurochko, Andrew (2024). The harms of promoting the lab leak hypothesis for SARS-CoV-2 origins without evidence. Journal of Virology, 98 (9). doi: 10.1128/jvi.01240-24
2024
Journal Article
Effect of tobacco and e-cigarette-related social media content on youth
Ashley, Daniel P., Rutherford, Brienna N., Lim, Carmen C.W., Cheng, Brandon, Sun, Tianze, Vu, Gigi, Johnson, Benjamin, Chung, Jack, Huang, Sandy, Leung, Janni, Stjepanović, Daniel, Connor, Jason P. and Chan, Gary C.K. (2024). Effect of tobacco and e-cigarette-related social media content on youth. Journal of the National Medical Association, 116 (4), 420-420. doi: 10.1016/j.jnma.2024.07.023
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Gary Chung Kai Chan is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Electronic cigarettes use among young people - risks factors for its initiation and escalation, impact on mental health, and its effect on smoking cessation
Electronic cigarettes and personal vaporisors have been gaining popularity in many developed countries such as the US, Canada and the UK. It has been promoted as a cessation device for smokers, thus it holds the potential to reduce smoking related burden on the society. However, it also raises concerns that its uptake among young people may renormalise cigarette smoking. This projects will evaluate the overall evidences of its benefit and harms on public health.
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Understanding initiation, escalation and remission of substance use from adolescence to mid-adulthood: A life course approach
It is well known that adolescence is a period of experiementation and many adolescents may experience with illicit substance during this period. While many of them do not progress into problematic use (e.g. abuse and dependence), some have escalated their use during their 20s and maintained their habits into 30s and 40s. This project will take a life course approach to understand risk factors for substance initiation and escalation, and factors that are linked to natural remission of substance us in mid-adulthood.
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The benefits and harms of Gaming
With the proliferation of handheld devices, video gaming has penstrated nearly every corner of the world and every age groups. This project will focus on quantifying the benefit of gaming, such as increased connectivity with friends in the virtual world and overcoming loneliness during difficult time (e.g., COVID lockdown), and the potential harms such as addiction.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Social media and substance use among young people
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Dr Daniel Stjepanovic, Associate Professor Janni Leung
-
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating the Public Health Impacts of Vaping Product Use
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Emeritus Professor Wayne Hall, Associate Professor Janni Leung, Professor Coral Gartner
-
Doctor Philosophy
Learning from the opioid crisis - Preventing the proliferation of prescription stimulant for non-medical use
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Wayne Hall, Dr Daniel Stjepanovic, Dr Natalie Thomas, Associate Professor Janni Leung
-
Doctor Philosophy
Determinants of alcohol drinking, and tobacco smoking, and e-cigarette vaping in Vietnamese young people and young Vietnamese migrant in Australia : implications for public health interventions and substance-use control policies
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Professor Coral Gartner, Associate Professor Phong Thai
-
Doctor Philosophy
Impacts of Cannabis Use and Cannabis Vaping - Insight into Australian Cannabis Policies
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Emeritus Professor Wayne Hall, Dr Daniel Stjepanovic, Associate Professor Janni Leung
-
Doctor Philosophy
Data mining for characterization of the chemical exposome in Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Ben Tscharke
-
Doctor Philosophy
Impacts of Cannabis Use and Cannabis Vaping - Insight into Australian Cannabis Policies
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Wayne Hall, Dr Daniel Stjepanovic, Associate Professor Janni Leung
-
Doctor Philosophy
The influence of social media upon alcohol use: An investigation of effects and mechanisms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Carmen Lim, Professor Jason Connor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Stress, Allostatic Load and Substance Use in Defence Force Veterans with PTSD
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Population-level of substance use and health outcomes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Leanne Hides, Dr Carmen Lim, Associate Professor Janni Leung
-
Doctor Philosophy
The influence of social media upon alcohol use: An investigation of effects and mechanisms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Carmen Lim, Professor Jason Connor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Monitoring nicotine in Australia and globally using survey data to inform future vaping and smoking policies
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Daniel Stjepanovic
-
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing self-confidence in school-aged adolescents for prevention impulsive behaviors (substance addiction, risky sexual behavior, gambling and internet addiction) and mental illnesses
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Leanne Hides, Associate Professor Janni Leung, Dr Carmen Lim
-
Doctor Philosophy
Adolescent exposure to online cannabis advertisements
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Associate Professor Janni Leung, Dr Tesfa Yimer
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Social Substances: The Online Landscape of Substance Use
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Dr Daniel Stjepanovic, Associate Professor Janni Leung
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating the Public Health Impacts of Vaping Product Use
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Emeritus Professor Wayne Hall, Associate Professor Janni Leung, Professor Coral Gartner
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Emerging trends of cannabis vaping in the USA and Canada: Prevalence, correlates, and online presence
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Emeritus Professor Wayne Hall, Dr Daniel Stjepanovic, Associate Professor Janni Leung, Professor Coral Gartner
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Advancements in Understanding and Intervention of Problematic Alcohol use by Emerging Adults in Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Chiara Broccatelli, Professor Leanne Hides
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
The Impact of Tobacco Tax Increases on Smoking Behaviours and Tobacco Purchasing Patterns
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Coral Gartner
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Mental health services in low resource settings: Treatment gap, service utilization, and barriers to mental health service use
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Leanne Hides, Associate Professor Janni Leung
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Cannabis Legalisation: An Empirical Analysis Causes of Attitudinal Change in the U.S. and Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Wayne Hall, Professor Leanne Hides, Associate Professor Janni Leung
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Gary Chung Kai Chan directly for media enquiries about:
- alcohol
- cannabis
- Substance use
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