Dr Desalegn Markos Shifti (PhD, MSc, BSc) is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Child Health Research Centre (CHRC) at the University of Queensland. He is currently engaged in the comprehensive investigation of the prevalence, natural history, causes and consequences of allergic diseases.

Desalegn obtained his PhD in Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Statistics from the University of Newcastle, Australia, in 2022. Before pursuing his PhD, Desalegn worked as an Assistant Professor, Lecturer, and Graduate Assistant at various universities in Ethiopia, where he held both academic and research roles.

Desalegn has authored and co-authored several peer-reviewed research articles published in high-impact journals, such as the Lancet, JAMA Paediatrics, JAMA Oncology, and the International Journal of Public Health. He has expertise in several epidemiological and statistical skills, including generalised linear modelling, multilevel modelling, causal inferences for observational studies, mediation analysis, socio-economic assessment, geospatial analysis, big data analysis, systematic review, meta-analysis, and network meta-analysis.

Desalegn collaborates widely with public and clinical health researchers within Australia, low and middle-income countries, and internationally, across epidemiological studies. Key areas of interest and collaboration include allergies, maternal and child health, Indigenous health and well-being, reproductive health, health services research, chronic disease, and public health.

Associate Professor Rachel Peters is head of the epidemiology stream of the Population Allergy research group at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. She leads a research program using large, longitudinal, population-based studies to understand the causes and consequences of childhood food allergy.

She is principal investigator of the longitudinal HealthNuts study, which has followed a cohort of over 5,000 children from infancy to adolescence. HealthNuts aims to describe the natural history of food allergy and understand the adverse consequences of food allergy on children’s future health. She also leads the first follow-up of the EarlyNuts study, which aims to understand the impact of changing infant feeding guidelines for food allergy prevention, on the prevalence of food allergy and other health outcomes. Associate Professor Peters is custodian of the SchoolNuts study which examined food allergy and other allergic diseases in 10-14 students. Together these cohorts total over 17,000 participants.

Collectively, her research program aims to identify risk factors and biomarkers of food allergy persistence and resolution, understand why adolescents are at high risk of recurrent and severe food-induced allergic reactions, quantify the adverse consequences of infant food allergy on children’s future health, particularly lung and psychosocial health and measure the impact of food allergy prevention strategies on children’s health. Associate Professor Peters also leads or co-leads several projects aiming to improve the diagnosis of food allergy, understand the immune mechanisms underpinning the natural resolution of food allergy, and collaborate on randomised control trials (RCTs) on the prevention and treatment of food allergy.

Dr Susan Hawes grew up on the Gold Coast. After qualifying as a pharmacist in 2003 at the University of Queensland, she completed her medical degree at Griffith University in 2009.

During the early phase of her medical career, Dr Hawes dedicated herself to service at the Gold Coast Hospital. Following this, she embarked on a comprehensive surgical training program, gaining invaluable experience across various regions of Queensland, ultimately culminating in the successful completion of her surgical training in 2020.

Dr Hawes’ passion for breast surgery led her to pursue Fellowships at esteemed institutions. In 2021, she completed her first year of breast fellowship training at Calvary Hospital in Canberra, followed by her second year of breast fellowship training at the Comprehensive Cancer Centre Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Sydney in 2023, made possible through her association with BreastSurgANZ. In her pursuit of excellence, Dr Hawes also obtained a graduate certificate in breast surgery from the distinguished University of Sydney in the same year.

Beyond her clinical acumen, Dr Hawes is a dedicated advocate for research, innovation, and education in her field. She has had the privilege of presenting her work at prominent conferences during her career. Driven by her commitment to the well-being of women facing both benign and malignant breast conditions, she maintains a strong interest in general surgery.

In addition to her professional commitments, Dr Susan Hawes finds immense fulfilment in her role as a devoted mother to two young daughters.

Dr Rebecca Mackenzie-Proctor is a passionate and dedicated women’s health and fertility specialist. She has practiced fertility medicine for over 8 years and is currently in the final stages of her subspecialist accreditation to become a board certified reproductive endocrinologist and infertility (CREI) specialist.

Women’s overall wellbeing is always at the forefront of her practice, with over 10 years’ experience in obstetrics and gynaecology. She undertook her FRANZCOG specialist training in New Zealand, Currently she is part of Life Fertility, a boutique doctor run fertility service and laboratory based in Fitzroy.

She has a vast experience managing complex fertility and gynaecological issues including endometriosis, impact of high intensity sport (having worked with Olympic and national sports representatives), PCOS, ovarian insufficiency, andrology and all aspects of male infertility. She is a skilled laparoscopic surgeon and has developed a special interest in male infertility surgical approaches including microscopic sperm retrieval (micro TESE, TESE).

Her fertility specialist skills include managing patients undertaking Intrauterine insemination, ovulation induction, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and male infertility. She tailors her care to match the individual needs of her patients.

Providing the best evidence-based approaches to women’s health and fertility is at the centre of her practice. Not only has she published papers and reviews, she also practical experience working for research companies and tertiary institutes in Australasia and the United Kingdom.

Fertility and gynaecological issues can impact all aspect of health – mental, physical and sociological. Rebecca’s practice ensures a holistic focus for all her patients, having undertaken Ayurveda and yoga training in India as well as a certificate in sports medicine and nutrition.

Keeping active is important to Rebecca and you’ll often find her biking to work, in a yoga studio or running along the beach. In her free time she enjoys creative endeavours and quality time in nature with her 2 young children & partner.

Danielle is an internationally recognised Clinical Psychologist, Speaker and Researcher with nearly 30 years’ experience helping young people navigate the intersection between anxiety and technology use. She leads The Einstein Report, a practical guide for schools, parents and doctors on creating healthier digital environments for children. Her work equips school leaders with actionable insights to support student anxiety, digital literacy, and responsible tech use. In 2024, Dr Einstein led national efforts to address social media harm, briefing policymakers, contributing to key reports, and providing critical evidence to the Senate Inquiry. She was formally thanked in Federal Parliament for “living up to her name.” She is author of several books, including The Dip (2019) & Raising Anxiety (why our good intentions are backfiring on children and what to do about it; with Dr Judith Locke). She continues to work educating school leaders, clinicians and researchers, most recently speaking to audiences in the UK and New Zealand and briefing advisers within their governments.

Internet Safe Education creator, Brett Lee, worked as a Queensland Police Officer for 22 years, 16 of those as a Detective in the field of Child Exploitation. In the 5 years prior to his retirement from the QPS, he was a specialist in the field of undercover internet child exploitation investigations. He has been personally involved in the online investigation, arrest and prosecution of numerous offenders whose medium for preying on children is the internet. He has worked with the FBI Innocent Images Unit, Maryland USA, the Department of Homeland Security Cyber Crimes Centre, Virginia USA and the San Jose Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, California USA.

Associate Professor Siette is currently leading a program of research to identify how we can best prevent dementia through innovative lifestyle approaches for seniors. She is the Founder of Brain Bootcamp and Lead of Brain Health Hub (www.brainhealthhub.com.au). She has authored over 115 publications on healthy ageing, digital health, aged care and social gerontology. Her mission is to contribute to reducing population-wide dementia risk and cognitive impairment through effective and acceptable public health approaches across the lifespan. Find out more about her profile here: www.brainhealthhub.com.au

Professor Ann McCormack is an experienced endocrinologist with broad endocrine clinical practice.

She offers treatment for a wide range of general endocrinology concerns, with a particular expertise in the management of pituiutary disease. Her primary research interests are in the field of pituitary disease, particularly pituitary tumour genetics and aggressive pituitary tumours.

Ann is currently a senior staff specialist at Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital, consultant endocrinologist at St Vincent’s Private Hospital and head of the Hormones and Cancer Group at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research.

Ann is also chair of the St Vincent’s Campus pituitary multidisciplinary team, founder of the Sydney Pituitary Collaborative group, Co-Chair of the Australia and New Zealand Pituitary Alliance, and a board member of the International Pituitary Society. She is also the Immediate Past President of the Endocrine Society of Australia.

Director Healthy Lifespan and Chronic Diseases Program

School of Health and Biomedical Sciences

RMIT University, Bundoora, Melbourne Australia

PhD 1995, University of Melbourne, and Austin Research Institute.

30 years experience in research in the area of vaccines and drugs for cancer and chronic diseases with translational focus. In addition, extensive clinical research background, translating research to clinical trials. Multidisciplinary research expertise, in the areas of, immunology, crystallography, medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, crystallography, clinical research and drug development. Main focus is treating diseases with an immunological focus.

Areas of research include: cancer, infectious diseases, multiple sclerosis, drug addiction, type-1/2/3 diabetes, mental health. Bio-active compounds in health and disease. Understanding disease progression, how the immune system responds to disease and developing ways to overcome disease.

Current Professional Activities, Journals: Editor in Chief, Outbreak Management Response

Regional Editor, Recent Patents Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery

Section Editor, Current Medicinal Chemistry

Regional Editor – Oceana, Medicinal Chemistry

Editor in Chief, Vaccines (section: Toxicology and Clinical trials; section: Clinical Immunology)

Associate Editor, Immunotherapy

Associate Editor, Frontiers in Immunology

Review Editor, Frontiers in Immunotherapies and Vaccines

Editorial Advisory Board of Cancers; Maturitas; Frontiers in Microbial Immunology; Expert Review of Vaccines; Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica; Frontiers in Immunotherapies and Vaccines; Biomed Research International (Immunology subject area); Updates in Gynecology and Obstetrics

Guest Editor of Expert Review of Vaccines; Journal of Drug Delivery; Molecular Pharmaceutics; Current Pharmaceutical Design; Vaccines; Medicinal Chemistry; Cancers; Vaccines; Brain Sciences; Maturitas

Judging Panel for numerous national and international awards

Author of over 500 research publications and book chapters, and an inventor of 20 patents and 90 sub-patents

PhD in gerontology, immunology and regenerative medicine. Vice Chancellors Senior Research Fellow at RMIT University, in the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences. Deputy Director of the Healthy Lifespan and Chronic Disease research theme, undertaking research in drug development, natural substances, and other novel interventions for older adults.

Laura graduated with a BAppSc(OT)Hons at University of Sydney in 2007 and is a driver-trained Occupational Therapist. Laura has worked as an Occupational Therapist in various clinical settings including acute and community aged care, acute stroke rehabilitation, respiratory, orthopaedics and community palliative care. Laura is passionate about improving quality of life through evidence-based practice and is committed to enabling her clients to achieve their potential

Dr Tamara Hunter completed an Exercise Science degree in 1996, graduating with first class Honours. She worked as an Exercise Physiologist and Corporate Health Consultant in Sydney with such companies as Telstra, Lend Lease and Digital Computers. In 1999 Tamara assisted in the set up and operation of Sydney Heart Image, Australia’s premier interventional cardiology and preventative health centre alongside the well known cardiologist Dr Ross Walker. Tamara returned to medical school in 2000 to achieve her dreams of becoming a doctor. She graduated with Honours. Tamara returned to Perth in 2004 and is now an Obstetrician/Gynecologist, fertility subspecialist and paediatric gynecologist. She is one of only 3 fertility subspecialists in WA and works in private gynecology, at Fertility Specialists of WA and Perth Children’s Hospital. She is a Senior Lecturer in The School of Women’s and Infants Health, University of WA. She has published numerous research papers and presented at national and international medical conferences and she has authored multiple book chapters on lifestyle and fertility. Dr Hunter in on the guideline committee for the COSA-AYA Fertility Preservation Guidelines and is an active member of FSA, ANZREI, AGES and ANZPAG.