SLEEP MATTERS

Dr. Rosalba Courtney (PhD) is an internationally recognised expert in breathing health and therapy. With a doctorate on dysfunctional breathing, she has published extensively in scientific journals and contributed to leading textbooks. 

Rosalba developed Integrative Breathing Therapy, a comprehensive system based on her research, and has trained health professionals across physiotherapy, psychology, osteopathy, speech pathology, and integrative medicine. She runs programs including Breath Mind Body, Functional Breathing Retraining, and Healthy Breathing Healthy Child, and is developing her first online certification course in Foundations of Integrative Breathing Therapy. Rosalba also maintains a clinical practice at the Breath and Body Clinic, Sydney.

Speaker Topic: The Role of Breathing in Sleep Health

Dr. David Cunnington is a Specialist Sleep Physician with expertise in managing complex sleep disorders and advancing sleep health through education, research, and advocacy. He trained in sleep medicine in Australia and at Harvard Medical School, and holds international qualifications in behavioural sleep medicine, specialising in non-drug therapies such as CBT for insomnia. David practises at Sunshine Coast Respiratory & Sleep and via Telehealth nationwide. 

A recognised leader, researcher, and educator, he contributes to national training programs, speaks regularly at conferences, and co-founded SleepHub and the Sleep Talk podcast, dedicated to improving understanding and treatment of sleep disorders.

Speaker Topic: Methods of testing for Sleep Disorders in Children vs. Adults

Associate Professor Jasneek Chawla is a Paediatric Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Physician at Queensland Children’s Hospital and Associate Professor at the Child Health Research Centre, University of Queensland. She leads the Kids Sleep Research group, focusing on sleep in children with disability, neurodevelopmental outcomes, and novel clinical technologies. Following specialist training in Edinburgh and a Paediatric Sleep Medicine Fellowship in Brisbane, she completed a PhD on sleep interventions in children with Down syndrome.

A/Prof Chawla is Education Chair and President-Elect of the Australasian Sleep Association and has presented widely, including as a plenary speaker at the World Down Syndrome Congress.

Speaker Topic: Sleep Across the Lifespan – Unique Challenges in Children vs. Adults

Dr. Derek Mahony is a world-renowned Specialist Orthodontist recognised internationally for his expertise in interceptive and functional orthodontics. After completing his dental degree at the University of Sydney, he earned a Master’s in Orthodontics from the Eastman Dental Hospital, London, and postgraduate qualifications from the Royal Colleges of Surgeons in Edinburgh, Glasgow, England, and Canada. With over 3,000 active patients and decades of clinical experience, 

Dr. Mahony is a sought-after keynote speaker at major orthodontic conferences worldwide. His combined fixed and functional appliance approach focuses on creating straight teeth, balanced facial profiles, and healthy temporomandibular joints.

Speaker Topic: Early Signs and Symptoms of Children’s Sleep Disorders and Interventions

Cheree is an Oral Health Therapist and Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist with over 20 years of clinical experience. Since beginning her dental career in 2000, she has worked in diverse private practices across Sydney and Brisbane and now practises in a neuromuscular, sleep, and orthopaedic orthodontic clinic. 

Inspired by her own experiences with mouth breathing, jaw pain, and her children’s myofunctional habits, she studied Orofacial Myology and founded Smile Tone in 2014. Cheree also directs The Centre for Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, educates practitioners, and has co-invented the MyoMate tool and co-created Face Fit, an innovative online facial fitness program.

Speaker Topic: Sleep and Oral Dysfunction

Dr. Leon Kitipornchai is an ENT surgeon specialising in obstructive sleep apnoea and snoring surgery. Raised in Brisbane, he completed his medical and postgraduate training at the University of Queensland and became a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. He undertook post-fellowship training with Professor Stuart MacKay, focusing on sleep apnoea and thyroid surgery, and is currently completing a Master of Medicine in Sleep Medicine at the University of Sydney.

A Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland, Dr. Kitipornchai is also an active researcher and speaker, with numerous publications and contributions to advancing sleep surgery.

Speaker Topic: Sleep and ENT Markers/Interventions in Adults vs. Children.

Darron Goralsky is the Founder, CEO, and Clinical Director of the Melbourne TMJ & Facial Pain Centre, a unique multidisciplinary practice dedicated to the management of TMD and craniofacial pain. With over 27 years’ clinical experience, he trained as a Physiotherapist in South Africa and holds postgraduate certifications in manipulative and craniosacral therapy.

Recognising the need for a musculoskeletal approach alongside dental care, Darron developed the Goralsky Craniomandibular Method (GCMM). A regular lecturer at Melbourne Dental School and professional conferences, he now focuses on training and mentoring his growing team of TMJ physiotherapists, osteopaths, dentists, and allied health practitioners.

Speaker Topic: Manual Therapy for Pain Relief (Practical session)

Dr. Karina Patel (BDS, DABCP, DABCDSM, DABDSM) is a dentist with advanced training in craniofacial pain and sleep-related breathing disorders across the USA, UAE, UK, and Australia. A former Director of TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centres in London, Devon, and Dubai, she has treated over 10,000 patients with sleep breathing disorders and chronic pain. At The London Sleep Centre, she collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop effective care pathways. 

Now based in Australia, Dr. Patel is Director of SleepWell AU/NZ, an education platform dedicated to advancing awareness, collaboration, and patient outcomes in sleep health across all healthcare disciplines.

Speaker Topic: The Connection Between Sleep and Pain

Dr Mark Westaway, is a medical practitioner who graduated from the University of Queensland. He has a Diploma of Child Health from Ireland as well as a Graduate Diploma of Allergy from the University of Southampton. Dr Westaway is a member of the Australian Association of Musculoskeletal Medicine, Australian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, American Academy of Environmental Medicine, the Society of Orthopedic Medicine ,the PAN American Allergy Society and the London College of Osteopathic Medicine.

In addition to working in Australia, Dr Westaway has worked at Breakspear Medical Centre and The Dove Clinic in London, as well as a visiting consultant for the Paracelsus Klink in Switzerland and was a research fellow at Harvard Medical School. He has co authored a number of articles, including Diagnosis of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome – A Global Consensus 2. and Breast Implant Illness May Be Rooted in Mast Cell Activation: A Case-Controlled Retrospective Analysis

Speaker Topic: Upper Airway Hyper Responsiveness-Mechanisms and Treatment in Functional Medicine

Ananda Mahony is a naturopath and nutritionist with a special interest in supporting people living with chronic pain. She works with individuals experiencing a wide range of pain-related conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, endometriosis, digestive pain, and complex chronic disorders. Her approach focuses on whole-person care, addressing not only the physical aspects of pain but also contributing factors such as poor sleep, mood, and overall wellbeing.

Ananda has completed a Master of Science in Medicine (Pain Management), equipping her with advanced knowledge to integrate evidence-based strategies into her practice. She is dedicated to improving quality of life through holistic, patient-centred care.

Speaker Topic: Sleep and Nutrition: Rest and Recovery

Andrew is a trained paediatric respiratory and sleep scientist working at the Queensland Children's Hospital. He has recently completed his PhD looking at (1) the effect of early childhood respiratory infection on lifelong lung function, (2) lung function as a future predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and all-cause mortality, (3) the effect specialist paediatric and adult respiratory outreach services are having on the lung function of children and adults seen and treated, and (4) which spirometry reference equation is most appropriate for use in Australian First Nations children and adults, and (5) has developed moving age-for-height fractional exhaled nitirc oxide (FeNO) reference values for use Australian First Nations childen and adults to faciliate better interpretation of FeNO test results. His current research is focused around improving paediatriac sleep disordered breathing diagnosis and monitoring using technologies such as novel devices and artificial intelligence, particularly in children with neurodisability.

Natalie Moore is an Osteopath and founder of More Pathways, an allied health clinic and online resource supporting patients with sleep, pain, and breathing challenges. Beginning her career in 2005 as a manual therapist, Natalie’s interest in breathing dysfunction was sparked in her teens and has driven her lifelong pursuit of understanding its impact on holistic wellness. 

She completed a Research Masters in Osteopathic Medicine focused on dysfunctional breathing and has since expanded her expertise into sleep, women’s health, and paediatrics. Through her clinical practice and online programs, Natalie integrates evidence-based approaches to help patients achieve lasting health outcomes.

Speaker Topic: Women’s Sleep Health & Hormones

Laura is a Clinical and Research Scientist in Respiratory and Sleep, and an Industry Fellow via University of Queensland. Laura began her Scientific career as a multi-disciplinary Scientist in Neurophysiology and Sleep, where she co-lead a novel TeleSleep service using innovative digital technologies to deliver sleep services to regional Central Queensland. 

Laura is actively engaged in innovative research, including the evaluation of the Sonomat and Sunrise mandibular movement devices as non-contact alternatives to traditional polysomnography for the diagnosis sleep-disordered breathing in paediatric patients with neurodisability. Passionate about education, she co-convened and contributed to a Smart Sleep Technology short course at Sleep DownUnder 2024. 

Her leadership roles include Chair of the Queensland Health Statewide Clinical Measurements Network – Sleep Sub-Committee, ANZSRS Regional Chair (Queensland), ANZSSA Conference and Grants Taskforce Committee Secretary, and most recently co-founding ANZCPEH – a nation first multi-disciplinary Clinical Physiology Day aimed to deliver practical skills and exceptional education across respiratory, sleep, neurophysiology, and cardiac sciences.

Speaker Topic: Data Analysis in Sleep Testing

Dr Sara Winter is a Clinical Psychologist and CBTi practitioner based in Brisbane, Australia, with over 19 years' experience and a special interest in sleep disorders and chronic disease. Sara completed her PhD in the area of sleep disorders and health behaviour change, and completed her clinical training at the University of Queensland in the area of Clinical and Neuro Psychology.

Speaker Topic: Mental Health & Sleep Disorders

Dr. Scott Wustenberg is the founder and principal practitioner of Advance Rehab Clinics, with expertise in chiropractic neurology, nutrition, and sleep/airway medicine. He studied Biochemistry and Physiology at Auckland University before graduating in the inaugural class of the NZCA School of Chiropractic. In addition to his Chiropractic degree, Scott holds a Master’s in Nutrition Medicine and postgraduate qualifications in environmental medicine. His passion for improving health, shaped by his children’s experiences, drives his research into sleep, airway, and craniofacial development. An international lecturer and author, Scott advocates holistic care, integrating nutrition, lifestyle, and functional medicine to optimise lifelong health.

Dr. Louis Chan graduated in Dentistry in 1998, and his interest in craniofacial care began when his father developed Trigeminal Neuralgia. Since then, he has been on a continuous learning journey, seeking expertise from leaders in orthodontics, sleep dentistry, and craniofacial pain.

For over 23 years, Dr. Chan has practiced dentistry with a holistic approach. His diverse range of services includes performing tongue tie and lip tie releases for newborns, providing orthopaedic orthodontics for young patients, and offering pain and sleep therapy for adults.

In 2020, Dr. Chan obtained his Master's Degree in Chinese Medicine Acupuncture from RMIT University. Currently, he's working on integrating acupuncture techniques into the treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) and sleep therapy. His dedication to learning and holistic patient care makes him a prominent figure in the field of craniofacial medicine.