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. He was awarded over $13m funding as chief investigator and has over 200 publications. His recent research focuses on addiction epidemiology, including vaping, cannabis use, and behavioral addiction such as gaming disorder. 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.
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
The natural history of DSM-5 alcohol-use disorder from late adolescence to middle adulthood in Australia: a prospective cohort study
Kerr, Jessica A, Husin, Hanafi Mohamad, Leung, Janni, Dashti, S Ghazaleh, Degenhardt, Louisa, Ellul, Susan, Spry, Elizabeth A, Sawyer, Susan M, Campbell, Gabrielle, Hall, Wayne D, Yimer, Tesfa Mekonen, Chan, Gary Chung Kai, Patton, George C and Olsson, Craig A (2025). The natural history of DSM-5 alcohol-use disorder from late adolescence to middle adulthood in Australia: a prospective cohort study. The Lancet Public Health, 10 (11), e923-e932. doi: 10.1016/s2468-2667(25)00225-7
2025
Journal Article
The Short‐Term Health Effects of Dealcoholised Red Wine: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Yimer, Tesfa M., Chan, Gary C. K., Stjepanović, Daniel, Sun, Tianze, Shin, Dongwoo, Lucey, Meghan, Choi, Jisu, Saunders, John B., Connor, Jason P. and Leung, Janni (2025). The Short‐Term Health Effects of Dealcoholised Red Wine: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis. Drug and Alcohol Review dar.70047. doi: 10.1111/dar.70047
2025
Journal Article
Knowledge and concerns about smoking-related health risks: a cross-sectional analysis of the 2021 International Tobacco Control Japan and Korea Surveys
Sun, Tianze, Chan, Gary, Gravely, Shannon, Quah, Anne C. K., Meng, Gang, Fong, Geoffrey T., Xu, Steve S., Katanoda, Kota, Seo, Hong Gwan, Tabuchi, Takahiro, Yoshimi, Itsuro, Kang, Chang Bum, Vu, Giang, Cho, Ara, Lim, Carmen, Togawa, Kayo, Lim, Sujin, Lee, Sungkyu, Cho, Sung-Il, Kim, Gil-Yong and Leung, Janni (2025). Knowledge and concerns about smoking-related health risks: a cross-sectional analysis of the 2021 International Tobacco Control Japan and Korea Surveys. Drug and Alcohol Review dar.70043. doi: 10.1111/dar.70043
2025
Journal Article
Cognitive performance in young adults who endorse a cannabis use disorder
Abbott, Gabrielle, Greenwood, Lisa, Bartschi, Jessica G., Dunsford, Suraya, Goodwin, Isabella, Paloubis, Anastasia, Valera, Marianna Quinones, McTavish, Eugene, Verdejo-Garcia, Antonio, Cousijn, Janna, Chan, Gary C.K., Solowij, Nadia and Lorenzetti, Valentina (2025). Cognitive performance in young adults who endorse a cannabis use disorder. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 142 152620, 152620-142. doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2025.152620
2025
Journal Article
Game related over-spending across age groups and its association with gaming disorder
Leung, Janni, Johnson, Benjamin, Saunders, John B., Stjepanovic, Daniel, Patel, Varun Yazad, McClure-Thomas, Caitlin, Connor, Jason P. and Kai Chan, Gary Chung (2025). Game related over-spending across age groups and its association with gaming disorder. Addictive Behaviors, 172 108490, 1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108490
2025
Journal Article
Co‐Designing AI‐Generated Vaping Awareness Materials With Adolescents and Young Adults: A Qualitative Study
Sun, Tianze, Chan, Gary Chung Kai, Stjepanović, Daniel, Yimer, Tesfa, Vu, Giang Thu, Lim, Carmen, McClure‐Thomas, Caitlin, Russel, Charlotte, Connor, Jason, Hall, Wayne, Hides, Leanne, Hammond, David, Dietrich, Timo, Erku, Daniel, Johnson, Benjamin and Leung, Janni (2025). Co‐Designing AI‐Generated Vaping Awareness Materials With Adolescents and Young Adults: A Qualitative Study. Drug and Alcohol Review dar.70022, 1-11. doi: 10.1111/dar.70022
2025
Journal Article
Caution is needed when interpreting interrupted time series findings on vaping and smoking
Chan, Gary C.K., Sun, Tianze, Vu, Giang and Hall, Wayne (2025). Caution is needed when interpreting interrupted time series findings on vaping and smoking. The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific, 61 101656, 101656-61. doi: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2025.101656
2025
Journal Article
Cannabis vaping in youth: a systematic review and meta-analysis of risk factors in adolescents and young adults
Chung, Jack, Lim, Carmen C.W., Leung, Janni, Stjepanović, Daniel, Chiu, Vivian, Hides, Leanne, Connor, Jason P., Hall, Wayne and Chan, Gary C.K. (2025). Cannabis vaping in youth: a systematic review and meta-analysis of risk factors in adolescents and young adults. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs jsad.24-00464. doi: 10.15288/jsad.24-00464
2025
Journal Article
Adolescent Cannabis Vaping Trends (2021–2023): Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, and synthetic cannabinoids
Chung, Jack, Lim, Carmen C.W., Stjepanović, Daniel, Hall, Wayne, Connor, Jason P. and Chan, Gary C.K. (2025). Adolescent Cannabis Vaping Trends (2021–2023): Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, and synthetic cannabinoids. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 107655, 107655. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2025.107655
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, 29 (8), 617-627. doi: 10.1177/10870547251318834
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, 44 (4), 1079-1091. doi: 10.1111/dar.14040
2025
Journal Article
The prevalence and correlates of self‐reported cannabis use for medicinal, dual and recreational motives in Australia: Findings from the National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022/2023
Dawson, Danielle, Chan, Gary, Stjepanović, Daniel, Lorenzetti, Valentina, Hall, Wayne D. and Leung, Janni (2025). The prevalence and correlates of self‐reported cannabis use for medicinal, dual and recreational motives in Australia: Findings from the National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022/2023. Drug and Alcohol Review, 44 (5), 1351-1364. doi: 10.1111/dar.14062
2025
Journal Article
A qualitative systematic thematic review of motivations for medical use of prescription stimulants among adults with ADHD
Johnson, Benjamin, Seal, Stella, Wu, Leo, Glasgow, Sophia, Connor, Jason and Chan, Gary (2025). A qualitative systematic thematic review of motivations for medical use of prescription stimulants among adults with ADHD. Journal of Affective Disorders, 383, 133-152. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.04.118
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. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108263
2025
Journal Article
National e-cigarette monitoring and evidence consortium: supporting informed research, policy and practice in Australia
Banks, Emily, Scollo, Michelle, Gartner, Coral, Freeman, Becky, Brown, Sinan, Campbell, Sai, Yazidjoglou, Amelia, Bittoun, Renee, Brooks, Alecia, Chan, Gary, Collins, Louisa, Conway, Mike, Dean, Emma, Dessaix, Anita, Dono, Jo, Gazey, Angela, Greenberg, Tracey, Greenhalgh, Elizabeth, Gupta, Deepali, Havard, Alys, Heris, Christina, Hunter, Laura, Jancey, Jonine, Jongenelis, Michelle, Khanlari, Sarah, Larcombe, Alexander, Lim, Carmen, Lizama, Natalia, Maddox, Raglan ... Yoong, Serene (2025). National e-cigarette monitoring and evidence consortium: supporting informed research, policy and practice in Australia. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 49 (2) 100233, 100233. doi: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100233
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
A comprehensive systematic review dataset is a rich resource for training and evaluation of AI systems for title and abstract screening
Chan, Gary C. K., He, Estrid, Leung, Janni and Verspoor, Karin (2025). A comprehensive systematic review dataset is a rich resource for training and evaluation of AI systems for title and abstract screening. Research Synthesis Methods, 16 (2), 308-322. doi: 10.1017/rsm.2025.1
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, 120 (7), 1379-1389. 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, 1-12. doi: 10.1186/s13643-024-02657-3
2025
Journal Article
Tobacco purchasing in Australia during regular tax increases: Findings from the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project
Cho, Ara, Scollo, Michelle, Chan, Gary, Driezen, Pete, Hyland, Andrew, Shang, Ce and Gartner, Coral E. (2025). Tobacco purchasing in Australia during regular tax increases: Findings from the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project. Tobacco Control, 34 (2), 183-191. doi: 10.1136/tc-2023-058130
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Gary Chung Kai Chan is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose 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
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
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Doctor Philosophy
Social norms toward cigarette smoking and other nicotine product use: trends and influences across populations and regulatory contexts
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Professor Coral Gartner, Associate Professor Phong Thai
-
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
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Doctor Philosophy
Optimizing Sample Size for Trend Detection in Human and Environmental Monitoring Using Simulation-Based Power Analysis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Ben Tscharke
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Doctor Philosophy
Population-level of substance use and health outcomes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Leanne Hides, Dr Carmen Lim, Associate Professor Janni Leung
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Adolescent exposure to online cannabis advertisements
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Associate Professor Janni Leung, Dr Tesfa Yimer
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Doctor Philosophy
Medicinal Cannabis Use in Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Wayne Hall, Dr Daniel Stjepanovic, Associate Professor Janni Leung
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Stress, Allostatic Load and Substance Use in Defence Force Veterans with PTSD
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Stephen Parker, Professor Jason Connor
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
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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
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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
The Impact of Tobacco Tax Increases on Smoking Behaviours and Tobacco Purchasing Patterns
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: 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
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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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