Speakers

Associate Professor Jessica Biesiekierski is a National Health and Medical Research Council Emerging Leadership Fellow and Head of Human Nutrition at the University of Melbourne. Her research focuses on dietary strategies for managing gut symptoms, including irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia. She investigates the mechanisms behind food intolerances and the effects of nutrients on gut-brain interactions, aiming to improve nutritional treatments for gut disorders. Jessica's award-winning trials on gluten sensitivity have shaped the field, and her recent accolades include the Rome Foundation Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction International Research Award (2024) and the Nutrition Society of Australia Mid-Career Research Award (2024).

Dr Ridoutt is a Principal Research Scientist with Australia’s national science agency – The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). His expertise is in life cycle sustainability assessment in the agriculture and food sectors which is used to address strategic challenges in relation to climate change, water scarcity, sustainable food systems, and sustainable diets. Dr Ridoutt is engaged in a range of international processes relating to the standardization of sustainability assessment and environmental labeling, including the development of ISO International Standards. His research is creating the main evidence base concerning the environmental impacts of dietary habits in Australia. He is a member of the National Health and Medical Research Council’s, Australian Dietary Guidelines – Sustainability Working Group.

Associate Professor Melody de Laat is a clinical and research veterinarian specialising in equine metabolic disease, endocrinopathic causes of lameness and novel drug development. She is based at Queensland University of Technology where she combines research with teaching and being deputy chair of the University Animal Ethics Committee. Dr de Laat is also a member and Past President of the Pharmacology chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists and a member of the Global Equine Endocrinology group.

Professor Bryden recently retired as Foundation Chair of Animal Science at the University of Queensland and continues as an Emeritus Professor. His research interests include various aspects of animal nutrition and toxicology; especially gut health, feed quality/mycotoxicology, amino acid metabolism and equine foetal development. In 2003, Professor Bryden was awarded the Centenary Medal for his contributions to science and education. He Co-Chaired the Gordon Research Conference on Mycotoxins and Phycotoxins in 2005 and was a member of the WHO Expert Advisory Panel on Food Safety (2001-2018), European Commission Expert Assessor for Sustainable Food Security and Joint FAO/WHO Expert Group on Hazards Associated with Animal Feed. Professor Bryden is currently Editor-in-Chief of Animal Production Science.

Dr. Rodrigo Albornoz received his Agricultural Engineering degree from the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina. Following graduation, he worked in the ruminant nutrition sector, and decided to further his knowledge by earning a MSc from the University of Saskatchewan in Canada and a PhD from Michigan State University in the USA on a Fulbright scholarship. In 2018, Dr. Albornoz joined the Agriculture Victoria Research Team at Ellinbank, where he investigated technologies and feeding strategies to improve production and profitability of dairy cows. In 2022, Dr. Albornoz joined Dairy Australia as National Lead in Feedbase and Nutrition, overseeing and prioritizing RD&E investment for the benefit of the Australian dairy industry.