Dr Alex Metse obtained a Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) and PhD (Clinical Psychology) from the University of Newcastle, Australia. Alex is an established early-career academic and clinical psychologist who is passionate about making a difference to the lives of vulnerable populations by reducing physical health inequities and improving mental health. A key focus of her clinical and research work is on the role of health behaviours such as smoking, poor diet, physical inactivity and suboptimal sleep in the interplay between physical and psychological health, and the need and health benefits of routinely addressing such behaviours. Other interests include the role and benefits of novel technologies to support delivery of mental and physical health interventions. Alex has a particular interest in the pivotal role of sleep in promoting health and preventing chronic disease. In her clinical work, she has specialised in the treatment of clinical sleep disorders. This has informed the program of research she leads, which seeks to 1) improve the effectiveness and acceptability of treatments for suboptimal sleep and sleep disorders, 2) highlight the extent to which suboptimal sleep is an issue within the Australian population, as well as its key determinants, and 3) spotlight the need for routine preventative intervention in primary and tertiary health care settings. Much of her research is undertaken in collaboration with relevant industry partners, which ensures relevancy and that it addresses meaningful questions and supports timely translation of findings into policy and practice. Alex’s work is a driving force highlighting the need for improved treatments to address suboptimal sleep and for sleep to be a public health priority, shaping a healthier future for all. In recognition of her work, she has been invited as a leading expert to contribute to the development of various large-scale behavioural interventions and public policy briefs, including the recently published policy evidence brief entitled: Improving population sleep health to reduce preventable illness and injury, a report by the Mitchell Institute and Sleep Health Foundation. Alex’s work has been published by prestigious top-tier journals and she has been invited to present on her program of research at various national conferences and events, including at TEDxBrisbane (TEDx talk can be accessed here. Alex remains at the forefront of evolving research in her field and is an editor for Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. In her teaching, Alex consistently implements authentic, evidenced based and cutting-edge teaching strategies which engender the development of professional competencies and skills needed to address identified gaps in the current workforce. For example, the need for more psychologists skilled in the treatment of sleep disorders in Australia. Alex’s leadership in teaching has been recognised and she is an awarded Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy. She also supervises several HDR and Honours students and, as a Board-approved supervisor, provides clinical supervision to provisionally registered psychologists. In Alex’s clinical practice, in addition to treating sleep disorders, she has experience supporting clients of all ages with a broad range of psychological difficulties, with assessment, formulation and treatment informed by the following approaches: CBT, DBT, ACT, Schema Therapy and Family Systems Therapy.

Dr Anita Muñoz is a GP in private practice in Melbourne’s CBD and has a dedication to evidence-based medicine, lifelong learning, and promoting the role of general practice in the health of patients, communities and in public health more broadly.
She sees general practice as the key to a rational health system that produces better outcomes for patients and practitioners alike.

Dr Rebecca Reynolds is a nutritionist and meditation teacher who helps people feel better in body and mind. See more about Dr Rebecca Reynolds: https://drrebeccareynolds.com/

Dr Adam Nelson is an early career interventional cardiologist and clinical trialist dual-appointed to the Royal Adelaide and Queen Elizabeth Hospitals in addition to the University of Adelaide and the Victorian Heart Institute. Dr Nelson’s academic and clinical interests are in improving adoption of guidelines through implementation science and evaluating emerging therapies for dyslipidaemia, diabetes and obesity.

Dr Kiera Buchanan is the founding director of Centre for Integrative Health. Dr Buchanan is registered as both a Clinical Psychologist and a Health Psychologist after completing the dual Doctorate of Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology. Dr Buchanan is also a board-approved supervisor. Dr Buchanan recognises that her vision for addressing the current epidemic in eating- and weight-related concerns is one best realised through collaboration and joined efforts. As such, Centre for Integrative Health was opened with the vision of creating a team of passionate, dedicated, and expert practitioners who would work collectively to liberate society from eating- and body-image concerns and in turn, foster body acceptance and diversity globally.

Dr Chris Soo is a lived experience ADHD GP, educator and advocate, working predominantly with ADHDers on the sunny Gold Coast. Dr Soo is a firm believer that GPs can make a massive difference to the current bottlenecks in ADHD care, and is passionate about empowering GPs to become more aware and involved, without adding any extra stress to their workday. Dr Soo is a full member of AADPA (ADHD professionals Australia), part of the AADPA Education and Training committee, and on the RACGP ADHD, ASD and neurodiversity special interest group.

Dr Sally Meade is a General Surgeon, with interests in breast, and endocrine surgery, with more than 17 years of experience. Dr Meade’s extensive training has provided her with the skills to offer a comprehensive service to her patients. In 1993, Dr Meade was awarded her medical degree from The University of Queensland. She completed her surgical training in Queensland and the Northern Territory which included time in Townsville, Mackay and Darwin. Dr Meade completed her Royal Australasian College of Surgeons fellowship in 2002 and obtained her postgraduate fellowship in the specialty of Breast and Endocrine Surgery in 2004. She is a member of several professional organisations which include Breast Surgeons Society of Australia and New Zealand, Australian and New Zealand Endocrine Surgeons, General Surgeons of Australia, Australian Medical Association, International Society of Surgery, International Association of Endocrine Surgeons and Breast Surgery International. Dr Meade’s current positions include Private practice Greenslopes Private Hospital & Mater Private Hospital Brisbane, and public appointments at the Mater Hospital Brisbane Breast/Endocrine Unit, and Townsville University Hospital for Endocrine Surgery. Dr Meade is a trainer of surgical trainees, unit supervisor of junior medical officers, lecturer for JCU & UQ medical students, previous JCU Yr5 Surgery curriculum and examinations co-ordinator, and Examiner for RACS. Dr Meade prides herself in building strong relationships with her patients and their families. She works closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure a better health journey and outcomes for her patients.

Dr Kretowicz is a distinguished obstetrician, gynaecologist and fertility specialist. After obtaining her medical degree at Gdansk Medical School in Poland, Dr Kretowicz migrated to Australia in 1988, where she completed her training in obstetrics and gynaecology through the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Dr Kretowicz has been in private practice in Brisbane for over 20 years now and has offices in Spring Hill and at North West Private Hospital. She is a Fertility Specialist with Queensland Fertility Group, where she provides a variety of fertility services, including IVF. Dr Kretowicz has a special interest in laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis and in treatment of endometriosis-related infertility.

Dr. Crowley is the Director of the Penn State Neuroscience Institute at University Park, the Huck Early Career Chair in Neurobiology & Neural Engineering and an Assistant Professor of Biology, Biomedical Engineering, and Pharmacology at Penn State. Crowley’s research centers around understanding neuropeptides as unique signaling molecules in the brain, with an emphasis on the interactions between neuropeptides and neurotransmitters. Crowley is the recipient of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology’s Editors Early Career Award (2022), a Young Investigator Award from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and National Institutes of Health (2023), and The Whitaker Center’s Women of Impact: Woman to Watch Award (2023). Dr. Crowley joined the Department of Biology as an assistant professor in 2020. She is a Washington, DC native, forever east-coaster, and second-generation Penn Stater.