Dr David Newcombe joined the discipline of psychology at University of the Sunshine Coast after almost 19 years at the School of Population Health at the University of Auckland where he led teaching and research in addictions. He has had over twenty-five years’ experience working in the public health and addiction sector in New Zealand and Australia. Following his Nursing training David completed degrees in psychology and neuroscience at Flinders University and doctoral studies in psychopharmacology at Adelaide University in South Australia.
The focus of David's research is at the nexus of psychology and public health and so consequently is multidisciplinary and has significant translational impact. His current projects ranging from evaluating the treatment effectiveness for methamphetamine dependence (NZ Health Research Council (HRC)), estimating the prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in youth corrections (NZ HRC), to evaluating novel ways of detecting and managing hazardous alcohol use in older adults in primary care. His ongoing work establishing novel pharmacotherapies (drug treatments) for substance dependence stems from his PhD study evaluating the psychopharmacology of drug treatments for opioid dependence. He is passionate about working with disadvantaged groups and reducing the stigma and inequity associated with substance use in society.
David has extensive experience in designing and delivering courses especially for clinicians. At the University of Auckland David was awarded a faculty award for Leadership in Teaching. He particularly enjoys teaching students the fundamentals of biological psychology and psychopharmacology, showing how they are related to clinical practice. At the UniSC David contributes to teaching undergraduate physiological psychology and post graduate psychopharmacology. David is a passionate post graduate research supervisor having supervised over 45 honours, masters and PhD students to completion.
Professional Memberships
- Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol & other Drugs (APSAD)
Awards/Fellowships
- Member of the NZ Prime Ministers Chief Advisor Expert Panel on Cannabis [https://www.pmcsa.ac.nz/topics/cannabis/], 2023
- Butland’s Teaching Award for Leadership in Teaching, Faculty Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 2019
- Distinguished International Scientist Collaboration Award, US National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) International Program 2017
- Australian Post graduate Award for doctoral studies, Adelaide University, 2007
- Chancellors commendation for academic excellence in Honours Degree, Flinders University, 1995
- University Medal, Flinders University 1995
Professional Social Media
Open Researcher and Contributor ID
Research Grants
|
Grant/project name |
Investigators |
Funding body and AUD$ value |
Year(s) |
Focus of research grant |
|
Life with FASD: An effectiveness-Implementatiotn Trial |
Chu, J, Gunesden, A., Gibbs, A., Brownie, R., McCormak, J., Jiang, Y., Newcombe, D., Wilson, H. |
NZ Health Research Council (HRC# 25/1006): NZ $1.4 million |
2026-2029 |
FASD |
|
A community survey of ways to quit cannabis use in recreational cannabis users |
Newcombe, D., Walker, N., Bullen, C., Ramalho, R., Laking, G., Parag, V., Nosa, V., Te Ao B |
University of Auckland contestable funding round: NZ$49, 512
|
2024-2025 |
Recreational Cannabis Use |
|
Low Risk Drinking Advice – Evaluation of International evidence and guidance |
Towers. A. Esekielu, M., Lyons, A., Newcombe, D., Severinson, C., Ware, F |
Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand: NZ$130,000 |
2023-2025 |
Alcohol |
|
Evaluation of Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities (ROOC) funded methamphetamine harm initiatives in Hawke’s Bay, NZ. |
Newcombe D, Lyons A, Bullen C, Humphrey G., Bullen, C |
New Zealand Police – ROOC: NZ$397,673 |
2023-2024 |
Community harm caused by methamphetamine |
|
Te We me Ta Wai - Research into the health and wellbeing and impacts of adverse weather conditions |
Laking, G., Caddie, M., Eggleton, K., Tukuitonga, C., McCool J., Paine SJ., Exeter, D., Jull, A., Muthiah, M., Newcombe, D., Sluyter, J., Langridge, F., Satele., Henare, H., Scott, N., Ruka, M |
NZ Ministry of Health: NZ$ 1,031,865 |
2022-2023 |
Impact of cyclone Gabriel |
|
The need for FASD intervention: Prevalence and Knowledge in Youth Justice residence |
Chu, J., & Newcombe D (Co-PI), Jones, H., Sinclair, G., McGinn, V., Dymus, J., Ngawati, M., McClachlan, A., Bullen, C., Mccormack, J., Parag, V. |
NZ Health Research Council (HRC# 22/682); NZ$ 1.4 million |
2023-current |
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder |
|
Consultation for a National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) registry |
Chu, J., Newcombe, D., Jaquemard, R., Bullen, C |
NZ Health Research Council (HRC# 22/891); NZ$30,000
|
2023 |
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder |
|
The evaluation of treatment outcomes for methamphetamine dependence in Aotearoa New Zealand |
Newcombe D, Armstrong, P., Sheridan, J., Walker, N., Te Ao, B, Ramalho, R., Parag, V., Nosa, V |
NZ Health Research Council (HRC# 22/237): NZ$1.2 million |
2023-current |
Methamphetamine Treatment |
|
Investigation of services and programmes available in Aotearoa for FASD. |
McCormack, J., Chu, J., Henderson, L., Gundersen, A, Newcombe, D., Gibbs, A. |
NZ Health Research Council (HRC# 21/1075): NZ$30,000
|
2021 |
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder |
|
Establishing strategic research priorities for FASD in Aotearoa through workshops and hui |
Chu., J, Dymus., J, McCormack, S, March., D, Newcombe |
NZ Health Research Council (HRC# 20/1174): NZ$30,000
|
2020 |
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder |
|
An enhanced screening protocol and training package for at-risk older adult drinkers attending primary care |
Newcombe D, McMenamin J, Towers A, White G, Sheridan J. |
The New Zealand Health Promotion Agency - Research Investment for Priorities in Alcohol: NZ$212,000 |
2018 |
Older adults drinking |
|
Smart phone delivered CBT for gambling related harm: An RCT |
Humphrey G, Rodda S, Chu J, Merkouris S, Dowling N, Bullen C, Nosa N, Ho E, Parag V, Whittaker R, Newcombe D |
NZ HRC (HRC# 18/237): NZ$1.2 million |
2018 |
Gambling |
|
Feasibility of a smartphone-based support system for hazardous drinkers- Feasibility study |
Walker N, Parag V, Newcombe D, Galea S, Jones R, Dulin P. |
Health Research Council of NZ (HRC#17/538): NZ$187, 416.
|
2017 |
Alcohol |
|
Scoping a NZ Drug early Warning System |
Newcombe, D., Humphrey, G., Sheridan, S |
NZ Ministry of Health- medsafe: $NZ35,000 |
2017 |
Novel psychoactive substances |
|
A smart-phone based gambling evaluation and technology testing initiative (SPGeTTI): Study 2 |
Bullen C, Rossen F, Newcombe D, Whittaker R |
NZ Ministry of Health: NZ$388,000 |
2016 |
Gambling |
|
No smoker left behind: A trial of adaptive smoking cessation treatment |
Bullen C, Galea S, Laking G, Newcombe D, Walker N |
Health Research Council of NZ (HRC#16/066): NZ$1.2 million.
|
2016 |
Tobacco and mental health |
|
Establishment of an early warning system for psychoactive substances. |
Newcombe D, Sheridan J, Walker W |
University of Auckland Strategic Research Initiatives Fund: NZ$49,965 |
2016 |
Novel psychoactive substances |
|
Alcohol use across the lifespan. Health Promotion Agency: Research Investment for Priorities Alcohol |
Newcombe D, Sheridan J, Towers A |
The New Zealand Health Promotion Agency - Research Investment for Priorities in Alcohol: NZ$120,000 |
2015 |
Older adults drinking |
|
High-dose, personalised, long term nicotine substitution for alcohol and other drug dependent smokers. |
Knight-West O, Newcombe D, (Co-PI) Walker N, Galea S, Bullen C |
Project funded by Tobacco Turanga HRC programme: NZ$106, 962 |
2015 |
Smoking |
|
Cytisine pharmacokinetics and dose response |
Sheridan J, Tingle M, Newcombe D, Walker W |
Auckland Medical Research Fund: Grant reference 1115011: $NZ 134, 270 |
2015 |
Cytisine |
|
Formal Validation of the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test in Pacific People in New Zealand |
Newcombe D, Nosa V |
University of Auckland; FMHS Faculty Development Research Fund: NZ$100,000 |
2010 |
Substance use screening tool validation |
|
International coordination of ASSIST Phase III project.. |
Ali R, Humeniuk R, Newcombe D |
World Health Organization: US$32000 |
1999-2003 |
Substance use screening tool development |
|
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of LAAM |
White J, Newcombe D, Somogyi A |
National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (grant number 990586): Aus$112.331 |
1999 |
Pharmacology |
Research areas
- substance use/addiction
- behavioural interventions for substance use
- pharmacotherapeutic interventions for substance use
- older adults and substance use
Teaching areas
Associate Professor David Newcombe's specialist areas of knowledge include substance use, alcohol , illicit drugs