Professor Sir Stephen O’Rahilly FRS, is Co-Director of the Institute of Metabolic Science and Director of the Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit at the University of Cambridge which is part of the broader University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories which he also directs. On the wider Cambridge Biomedical Campus, he is Scientific Director of the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre and Head of the University Department of Clinical Biochemistry.

He was elected FRS in 2003, to the National Academy of Sciences, USA in 2011, has received five honorary doctorates and numerous scientific awards including the 2002 Heinrich Weiland Prize, the 2005 Luft Prize, the 2007 Feldberg Prize, the 2010 InBev-Baillet Latour Prize for Health, the 2014 Debrecen Prize, the 2014 International Prize for Translational Neuroscience of the Gertrud Reemtsma Foundation, the 2015 Edward K Dunham Lectureship, Harvard Medical School and in 2015 was the first recipient of the EASD/Novo Nordisk Foundation Diabetes Prize for Excellence. More recently he was the 2016 Harveian Orator RCP of London, in 2019 received the Taubman Prize for Excellence in Medical Science, University of Michigan, USA, the Banting Medal for Scientific Achievement, American Diabetes Association and the Manpei Suzuki International Prize for Diabetes Research, Japan. In 2020 the Rank Prize for Nutrition and in 2022 the Royal Society Croonian Medal (jointly with Professor Sadaf Farooqi). In 2013 he was made Knight Bachelor “for services to medical research”.

His main research area is the aetiology and pathophysiology of human metabolic and endocrine disease and how such information might be used to improve the diagnosis, therapy and prevention of these diseases.

Sam is trainee diabetes and endocrinology doctor and a Wellcome Trust Clinical PhD student at the Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge. His work uses human genetics and model systems to discover novel causes and risk factors for human disease. He completed his undergraduate medical training at Queen’s University Belfast followed by a visting studentship in Joslin Diabetes Centre, Harvard Medical School before returning to the UK to begin his clinical academic training in Belfast as an Academic Foundation Doctor and then in Cambridge as an NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow in Diabetes and Endocrinology.

I am a Professor of Physiology at Texas A&M University. My independent research program focuses on the interface between pregnancy and epigenetics, trying to understand how environmental exposures before conception or early in development cause disease later in life. Through this research, my lab seeks to define the biochemical mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance through sperm, determine how exposure to alcohol influences these processes, and identify the capacity of these heritable changes to contribute to the development of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs).
My long-term goals are to change the narrative on the origins of alcohol-induced birth defects, define epigenetic mechanisms of paternal inheritance, and provide an entertaining yet impactful learning experience to future professionals in the biomedical sciences.
My research is supported by the NIH (R01AA028219) and a Medical Research Grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation and focuses on defining the epigenetic mechanisms by which paternal drinking influences the development of alcohol-induced congenital disabilities.

Hilary Diefenbach, MA, CCC-SLP, CBIST is a licensed Speech Language Pathologist at the Marcus Institute for Brain Health (MIBH) and Instructor in the University of Colorado (CU) School of Medicine. Hilary specializes in brain injury rehabilitation for adults. Hilary began her Speech Pathology career in inpatient rehabilitation serving at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation for patients recovering from stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other complex medical problems. Hilary joined the MIBH in 2018, where she leads the Speech Pathology Department as part of an interdisciplinary team specializing in intensive outpatient rehabilitation for U.S. Military Veterans and Emergency Responders with a history of mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury, psychological health changes, and related health sequelae. Hilary is passionate about medical education, precision and preventative medicine, and interdisciplinary care design within her clinical and academic work at the University of Colorado. In her free time, Hilary enjoys time outdoors in the Rocky Mountains, music performance, and FaceTiming her nieces and nephews back home in Washington DC.

Professor Sonia Grover is a general gynaecologist and pain medicine specialist who is also a leader in paediatric and adolescent gynaecology in Australia and internationally. Her experience and research at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne has given her insight into understanding adolescent period related problems which also impact on how we understand adult womens’ period and pelvic pain and endometriosis. Prof Grover research focus is always very clinical, aiming to improve the care and outcome for women of all ages. Prof Grover has always enjoyed teaching and sharing her knowledge, so that others can also provide optimal and evidence-based care.

Daniella is a Medical Science and Imaging PhD candidate with a significant interest in dementia prevention, prediction, and progression. The objective of my research is to develop a deeper understanding of mild behavioural impairment-apathy in dementia-free older adults by implementing a research framework that focuses on epidemiological and pathological biomarker differences among those with and without apathy, which may explain disparate Alzheimer Disease (AD) outcomes and ultimately reduce symptom burden. Identifying those with apathy prior to AD onset may provide an earlier opportunity for intervention and improve patient outcomes. Both my research and clinically relevant experience have allowed me to gain an appreciation for the mutually beneficial relationship that each contributes to theory and practical work.

Dr Xanthé Mallett is a forensic criminologist (University of Newcastle, Australia), author, television presenter, and social commentator. Xanthé specialises in re-investigating cold cases, often through the use of the mass media to generate leads. She also regularly contributes to news stories and is an active member of the community, supporting charity and community-based projects.

Lauren’s vision is for all Australians to be supported by a health care system that allows them to reach their full potential in life. Lauren has an international reputation for improving health care by creating knowledge, translating it into real-life scenarios, and evaluating improvements for people, providers, and funders. Her work spans general practice, community care, aged care, allied health, workforce development, digital health, and population health.

Emily Burch is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian and Lecturer at Southern Cross University. She holds a PhD in Type 2 Diabetes and her current research is dedicated to enhancing the quality of care people living with diabetes receive in both the Australian private and public health sectors. As the Course Coordinator for the Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Management at Southern Cross University, Emily plays a pivotal role in shaping the education landscape in her field. Emily is a passionate science communicator who aims to amplify the impact of nutrition research through effective knowledge translation. With a commitment to providing research credibility and expertise, she actively works to bridge the gap between nutrition science and the practical implications for individual health.

Dr Joanna Harnett holds a Doctoral, Masters and Bachelors degree in Health Science majoring in Complementary Medicine. Joanna currently holds a full-time teaching and research position with the University of Sydney’s School of Pharmacy. An estimated 50% of the Australian population take or have taken a Complementary Medicine in the last 12 months. Despite the prevalent use, there is limited knowledge amongst health care professionals, regulatory bodies and the general public regarding the efficacy and safety of many of these medicines. Joanna is involved in a number of projects that aim to contribute towards education in, and quality use of Complementary Medicine. Joanna’s’ own PhD work investigated the role of probiotics in altering the intestinal microbiota, symptoms and quality of life in individuals with Coeliac disease.