ProfessorLexine Stapinski

Professor Lexine Stapinski is an NHMRC Leadership Fellow, Clinical Psychologist, Program Lead in Intervention and Implementation, and Deputy Director of Prevention at the University of Sydney’s Matilda Centre. Her research focusses on improving prevention, early intervention and treatment of mental and substance use disorders. Professor Stapinski has led 8 large clinical trials to evaluate new intervention approaches, including Australia’s longest follow-up demonstrating the sustainability of school-based prevention effects at 7-years post implementation. She has produced >170 research publications, and her research impact has been recognized by 21 awards, including the Elsevier Mental Health and Prevention Mid-Career Researcher award. Professor Stapinski’s contributions include co-designing with youth the  "Inroads" program, a world-first early intervention for anxiety and alcohol use problems, which has now been evaluated in three rigorous trials. Professor Stapinski has also partnered with Aboriginal-led organisations and communities to co-develop and trial Strong & Deadly Futures, an empowering school-based drug prevention program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth. Her leadership since 2015 of the national Positive Choices initiative has facilitated translation of prevention strategies to over 5 million people and 3,000 schools.