Global Conference on Addiction Medicine, Behavioral Health and Psychiatry 2026

He is Medical Director of the Prince Albert Cooperative Health Centre, a family practice clinic where non HIV positive patients receive care for the SUD. He is lead physician at Access Place, a centre that houses the sexual health, BBV clinics and the needle exchange. He is lead physician at Saskatchewan Penitentiary, where he and five of his colleagues have provide medical care for inmates for about fifteen years. He is clinical assistant professor in Family Medicine.

Cheryl Molyneaux has over 30 years of leadership experience in nonprofit organizations serving individuals living with mental health challenges. Cheryl has served in various capacities from Associate Campus Dean to Professor of Accounting and Business. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of the Virgin Islands, an MBA from the University of Baltimore and Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. She is the founding president of Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) Central Florida. Cheryl serves on the board of the Federation of Families of Central Florida and on the Behavioral Health Planning Council for the state of Florida. Cheryl is trained as a Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) Life Coach; Florida Certified Recovery Peer Specialist; Facilitator of WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan), Emotional CPR (eCPR) as well as other whole health training. In addition to training, she has developed and adapted multiple peer education curriculum. Cheryl’s dedication to this work comes not only from professional experience but also from the schooling gained from lived experience. She is committed to using her multifaceted background to model and be a supporter of those seeking recovery and those moving on to flourishing in recovery.

Reshma Paul graduated from New Jersey Institute of Technology in 2021 with a B.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering. While at NJIT, she worked in a biomaterials lab, KumarLab, focusing on identifying potential drug targets for wound healing hydrogels. She then went on to study at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. She is currently a third year medical student on clerkship rotations. She works with Dr. Martin O. Job in the department of biomedical sciences on Psychostimulant Use research.

Dr. Sparkles Ransom is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) from San Francisco, CA. She Studied Social Work at Barry University School of Social Work, Miami, Fl and graduated with a MSW in 2013. Dr. Ransom has over 16 years of experience working with children and families, Medicaid, Substance Abuse, and varied populations. She has years of experience working in a safety net hospital. She recently received her Ph.D. in Social Work policy, planning, administration and social science from Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA May 2023. Dr. Ransom is currently a Senior Social Worker at the VA hospital in Atlanta, GA.

Marie Stella Marehin is a CAMES Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the Omar Bongo University in Libreville, Gabon. She holds a doctorate in psychology from the Université Paul-Valery de Montpellier 3. She is a clinical psychologist with a degree from the Institute of Applied Psychology and Sociology (IPSA) at the Université Catholique de l'Ouest, Angers, France. Passionate about addictions, she is currently training in addictology at the University of Montpellier. A recipient of a study grant from the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), she is currently enrolled on a Master 1 in Public Health with an Epidemiology option at the Université des Montagnes (UDM) under the auspices of the AUF and the University of N'Gaoundéré, Bangangté-Cameroon. On her return to Gabon, she set up the ESPOIR clinical psychology practice in 2022, recognised by the Ministry of Health authorities, which takes care of people suffering from addictions, as well as their families and friends. In 2023, it set up the NGO Entraid'Dépendances to carry out prevention and awareness-raising campaigns on the dangers of drug use. Particular emphasis is placed on the day of 9 September, which is dedicated to Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) in pregnant women. Depression, financial difficulties, abandonment and a lack of knowledge about the harmful effects of alcohol on the foetus are all factors in this behaviour. Since its inception, actions have been carried out on 10 October, World Mental Health Day. Since addiction is a 'mental disorder', the aim is to educate the public so as to avoid the stigmatisation and exclusion of addicts, who are most in need of help. Dr Marie Stella Marehin takes part in awareness-raising days for young people, and training sessions with NGOs, associations and foundations. Addiction is a major focus of her work as a researcher: predictive factors for drug use, the psychological processes involved in addiction in pregnant women, La Covid-19, psychotic and addictive disorders, addiction and return to work, stigmatisation of addicts in the workplace, and so on.

Dr(HDR) Lucien Oulahbib is a researcher associated (CLESID Lyon III, France) teacher at IRCOM (Lyon), has written articles and a book about Pierre Janet methodology.

Dr. Alma Rivera Feregrino, MD is a second-year psychiatry resident at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Dell Medical School, specializing in outpatient and community psychiatry with a clinical focus on complex case management, psychotherapy, and the treatment of co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders. She completed medical school with a strong interest in pharmacological innovations in addiction medicine and the integration of evidence-based approaches in behavioral health settings. This narrative review reflects her commitment to advancing clinical practice through scholarly inquiry.

Dr. Stanciu is an Assistant Professor at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine and the Director of Addiction Services at New Hampshire Hospital. In 2017, he was named the Ruth Fox, ASAM, scholar and Governors Institute on Substance Abuse scholar. In this past year Dr. Stanciu was appointed by New Hampshire’s governor to the New Hampshire Board of Medicine, Medical Review Subcommittee as well as by the New Hampshire DHHS’s commissioner to the New Hampshire Therapeutic Cannabis Medical Oversight Board. He also earned the prestigious ASAM as well as APA Fellow credentials. Throughout his career, Dr. Stanciu played an active role in academia having published a multitude of papers on themes related to addictive disorders, particularly Kratom. He is on the editorial boards of three journals and has received multiple awards for excellence in research and clinical care. His research was presented at numerous conferences, through live webinars, and cited in literature. Dr. Stanciu is actively involved with several organizations such as APA, ASAM, and AAAP and has contributed to their newsletters, currently serving as the Early Career Editor for the latter. Furthermore, Dr. Stanciu’ s devotion to the field and commitment to downstream knowledge dissemination is exemplified through his most recently published book titled “Deciphering the Addicted Brain: A Guide to understanding and Helping a Loved One Towards Recovery”.

Katrina Hayes is a 3rd year MD/MPH student at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine with plans of applying to psychiatry residency programs this fall. She received her Bachelor of Science at the University of Richmond, VA and her Masters in Biotechnology at Johns Hopkins University. In medical school, Katrina is currently a behavioral research coordinator for a Miami Street Medicine student group, a community liaison for mobile needle exchange clinic, and co-president of a reproductive health advocacy group. Along with coaching gymnastics, Katrina enjoys playing pickleball and seeing live music.

Dr. Unlu graduated from Ankara University School of Medicine in 2020, amongst the top 1%. She had attended clinical training at Boston Children’s Hospital, Division of Developmental Medicine, and at McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry. She served at the COVID-19 patient unit for a year. She is a resident doctor in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Residency at Baskent University Hospital, Turkey and she is a research fellow at Mayo Clinic, Arizona, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology.

Kate Fogarty is an associate professor and youth development specialist with the University of Florida’s Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences. Kate’s community outreach work specializes in preventing adolescent risk and promoting resiliency through relationships (with parents, mentors, schools, communities, including artificial intelligence). Her scholarly work focuses on understanding program features and processes to promote positive youth development and adolescent risk/resilience. Specific areas of her research are: 1. features of nonformal educational programs (e.g., mentoring) that prevent risk and promote positive youth development and 2. contextual predictors of risk behaviors and resilience outcomes among adolescents and emerging adults.

Educated at Carnegie Mellon University and at Studio Art Center International in Florence, Italy, Owner of Masters In Art Studio Chicago,IL. McNary worked in the advertising industry for years. Mia is married with three adult kids, is the published author of ”Picture Recovery,” and an advocate for autism and always sketching her life journey. -Sober date 1/3/1995

Felipe Figueroa is a Chilean physical therapist (kinesiologist), graduated with Highest Honors from the Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación, and holds a Master’s degree in Applied Positive Psychology from Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez. He has solid clinical, academic, and teaching experience in the integration of physical and mental health, pain management, and lifestyle-based interventions. He has served as a university clinical instructor and academic director of continuing education programs. He is Co-Founder and Past President of the Chilean Scientific Society of Kinesiology in Mental Health, promoting evidence-based, person-centered, and interdisciplinary approaches to health and well-being

Dr. Sindu Padmanabhan is a psychologist with over 15 years of experience in counseling, psychotherapy, and mental health research. She holds a PhD in Psychology and specializes in behavior modification, psychoeducation, and evidence-based interventions. Her work bridges research and practice, focusing on personalized strategies to enhance mental well-being. Dr. Padmanabhan has contributed to the academic community as an author and reviewer, including her publication “ The Impact of Locus of Control on Workplace Stress and Job Satisfaction: A Pilot Study on Private-Sector Employees” in Current Research in Behavioral Sciences.She is dedicated to translating research into practical solutions that strengthen workplace mental health and resilience.