Research
Associate Professor Gullo's expertise is in addiction and substance use. He led the Psychosocial Interventions section of the Commonwealth Guidelines for the Treatment of Alcohol Problems. These guidelines provide up-to-date, evidence-based information to a broad range of health care professionals, including general practitioners, nurses, medical specialists, psychologists and counsellors.
Associate Professor Gullo's research seeks to improve the assessment and treatment of substance use disorder through a better understanding of the complex biosocial cognitive mechanisms involved, revealing new targets for personalised intervention. These mechanisms include reward sensitivity, impulsivity, substance-related cognition (beliefs about drug effects, craving, drug refusal self-efficacy), and studying how they are affected by social influences and genetic predisposition. The scope of this research program covers the entire translational spectrum:
Associate Professor Gullo has authored over 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications and been awarded over $5 million in research funding. His research has advanced targeted treatment efforts “on the ground”. At Princess Alexandra Hospital, he led the implementation of several initiatives to improve practice, including the development of a new theoretically-driven, instant assessment and feedback system (iAx). Implementation of iAx has led to a doubling of treatment completion rates and significant cost savings to service providers. These initiatives have improved the provision of care to over 10,500 patients through the translation of the latest research findings into frontline service delivery.
A up-to-date list of scientific publications can be found on:
Research Team
Social cognitive predictors of treatment outcomes for amphetamine use and application of a biosocial cognitive model
Angela Wanigasooriya
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) — Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor
The Multidimensional Nature of Craving and Motivation in Alcohol Use
Brandon Cheng
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) — Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor (Primary), Dr Jason Coates
Exploring emotion regulation, social participation and mental health in older adults
Lydia Tu-Parker
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) — Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hannah Gullo (Primary)
Research Assistants and Interns
Mr Samnang Leav
Ms Senudi Malaweera
Ms Georgia Gregory
Ms Nanna Thomsen
Ms Isha Chawla
Ms Hannah Lindsay
Past Higher Degree Research Students
Investigating social-cognitive predictors of alcohol misuse and related risky behaviours among adolescents
Laura Anderson
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) — Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Genevieve Dingle
A biosocial cognitive model of youth cannabis dependence
Zoe Papinczak
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) — Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Dr Paul Harnett
Episodic foresight and decision-making: mechanisms, development, impairment and evolution
Adam Bulley
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) — Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Thomas Suddendorf (Primary), Professor Julie Henry
Impulsivity as mechanism of risk and target for prevention in adolescent alcohol use
Kiri Patton
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) — Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Dr Jeanie Sheffield
Targeting treatment in alcohol dependence
Jason Coates
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) — Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor (Primary), Dr Genevieve Dingle
Parental substance misuse, prevention science, and evidence-based practice: Filling in the gaps and solidifying the foundations
Elizabeth Eggins
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) — External Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sharon Dawe (Primary), Dr Natalie Loxton, Dr Sarah Bennett, Professor David B. Wilson, Dr Paul Harnett