Frances joined NDARC in 2006 after securing a NHMRC public health postdoctoral fellowship to build on her PhD work on developing and evaluating innovative treatments for alcohol/other drug use and related comorbid mental health problems. Since that time she has adapted the SHADE computerised treatment program for depression and alcohol/other drug use problems into online delivered format, and added to the scope of this resource by developing online modules in smoking cessation, diet, and exercise.

She is currently developing additional online treatments in the area of post-traumatic stress disorder and comorbid alcohol/other drug use, and problem gambling. These new modules will be evaluated in randomised controlled trials in 2011 and beyond.

Her contribution to the Drug and Alcohol field was recognised in 2009 with the Australian Professional Society for Alcohol and Drugs Early Career Research Award and the award for Excellence in Research at the National Drug and Alcohol Industry Awards. Frances has also received equivalent recognition in the mental health field, with the Early Career Award in 2007 from the Australasian Society for Psychiatric Research and in 2010 with the Mental Health Matters Award in Research and Evaluation. She was also awarded a Young Tall Poppy of Science award in 2010. In 2011 she will commence a career development award, also funded by NHMRC, to continue with this work.