Background

Michael is a Postdoctoral Research Officer at the Burnet Institute and a Research Associate at the National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University. Michael’s research interests include the use of prospective survey and linked administrative data to improve the health and well-being of marginalised groups, with a particular focus on people in prison and people who inject drugs.

Michael completed a PhD in 2023 under the supervision of Professor Mark Stoové and Professor Paul Dietze with Monash University and Burnet Institute. Michael’s PhD examined the impact of retention in opioid agonist treatment on substance use, health and health service use among men recently released from prison. Between 2014-2022, Michael worked at the Burnet Institute as a Research Assistant, primarily collecting data for substance-use related prospective cohort studies. 

Before joining Burnet, Michael worked as a social worker in in adult intensive case management, homelessness, and youth out-of-home care.

Qualifications

• 2023: PhD, Monash University, Australia
• 2012: BA/BSW(Hons), Monash University, Australia

Appointments

• Research Associate, National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University

Positions

• 2023-present: Postdoctoral Research Officer, Burnet Institute
• 2022-present: Research Associate, NDRI, Curtin University
• 2019-2023: PhD Candidate, Monash University and Burnet Institute
• 2014-2023: Research Assistant, Burnet Institute
• 2010-2014: Social Worker, Salvation Army Crisis Services.

Awards

• 2021: INHSU 2021 Conference Scholarship
• 2021: Miller Foundation Public Health Travel Award
• 2021: Burnet Student Symposium Best Three Minute Thesis
• 2019: Monash Addiction Research Centre PhD top-up scholarship
• 2018: National Health and Medical Research Council postgraduate award
• 2012: Peter Boss Honours Prize for Social Work.