On Stage

Dr Raha Mukherjee is an Adult Learning Disability Consultant Psychiatrist for Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, with interest in the management of developmental disorders across the lifespan. In September 2009 he started the first NHS based specialist Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders behavioural clinic and since then has seen over 150 cases for specialist second opinion as a National referral service. Dr Mukherjee is a member and academic secretary of the RCPsych SIG on neurodevelopmental disorders and has advised the British Medical Association board of science, The Department of Health and the World Health Organisation on the subject of FASD.

Dr Bree Wagner is a Principal at a Western Australian primary school and a former senior researcher of the Kids Research Institute Australia, where she worked as a member of the Alcohol and Pregnancy and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders research team. Bree’s research focused on adapting and trialling the use of the Alert Program for Self-Regulation in remote primary schools in the Kimberley region of WA where she worked as a teacher and school leader before and after her time with the Kids Research Institute.

Julia is Research Officer and Project Coordinator for the Learning with FASD Initiative, which is managed by the Matilda Centre at the University of Sydney. She completed a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) at the University of Queensland while simultaneously working as a Research Assistant for the University on a joint project with the Centre for Health Brain Ageing (CHeBA) – the Social Cognition Ageing Study. Julia is currently studying for a Master of Public Health degree.

Vijay Roach is an obstetrician and gynaecologist with more than 20 years’ experience. He consults in general gynaecology with interests in miscarriage, traumatic birth experience, contraception, menopause, infertility, menstrual disturbances, vulval and vaginal disorders and abnormal cervical pathology. He has a particular interest in the importance of integrating psychological and physical health. Vijay is a Past President of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and a well-regarded teacher and public speaker in Australia and overseas.

Kirsten Black is an academic gynaecologist in the Sydney Local Health district and Professor of Sexual and Reproductive Health at the University of Sydney. She chairs the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrician and Gynaecologists Sexual and Reproductive Health Committee and combines clinical work in preconception care, contraception and menopause with research and teaching.

Lauren Traianou is a Clinical Nurse Midwife Consultant with the Women and Newborn Drug and Alcohol Service (WANDAS) at King Edward Memorial Hospital. WANDAS is a specialised multidisciplinary team. Lauren’s position combines advanced clinical practice with leadership responsibilities, providing comprehensive care to one of healthcare’s most vulnerable populations during their pregnancy journey.

Dr Kerryn Bagley is a senior lecturer in social work and researcher whose work is grounded in disability rights, with a particular focus on improving systems and services for disabled and neurodivergent people. Drawing on her living experience of disability and two decades of professional social work practice, her research examines how health, education, and social service systems can be transformed to better uphold the rights and support the needs of disabled and neurodivergent people.

Christine is Vice-Chair of NOFASD Australia and cares for a teenager with FASD, she also supports a number of students who face the challenges of living with this invisible disorder. Her lived experience with FASD has led to her passion for the well-being of young people in the education system. After extensive years as a classroom teacher both in cities and a remote NT community, Christine is now committed to educating the educators about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

Rebecca is an experienced special education teacher and occupational therapist with a diverse career in mainstream and specialist settings around Australia. For over twenty years, Rebecca has been dedicated to improving student engagement and achievement by collaborating with students, parents, carers, allied health professionals and educators. Rebecca’s expertise extends to a full range of sensory and cognitive abilities from early childhood intervention through to primary and secondary students.

Caterina worked for the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) for more than a decade, including five years as Chief Executive Officer. Her notable legacy includes having led FARE through a period of significant transformation and growth, being instrumental to the 2021 launch of the world-leading Every Moment Matters campaign and advocating tirelessly for mandatory alcohol labelling. She was also known for amplifying the voices of people with lived experience of alcohol harm. Caterina is skilled in strategy, advocacy, public health and public policy. She holds an honours degree in public health and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Gillian works in the Preventive Health Policy Branch of the Department of Health and Aged Care. Gillian’s background is in Public Health Nutrition and Nutrition Science and previous roles include Senior Nutritionist in the Public health nutrition and Nutrition risk assessment teams at Food Standards Australia New Zealand and lecturer at University of Canberra. Gillian has co-authored papers on consumer use and understanding of labels on infant formula.

Dr Diane Bourn works for Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), Wellington, and has worked in food labelling regulation for over 15 years. She managed the pregnancy warning labelling work in its various phases from 2007. Diane has also had a key role in developing new labelling regulations for nutrition and health claims and more recently managed the added sugars labelling project. She has an honours degree in Food Technology and a PhD in Human Nutrition. Prior to working at FSANZ, Diane was a Lecturer in Food Science at the University of Otago, Dunedin.

Elizabeth Elliott is Professor of Paediatrics, University of Sydney, and Consultant Paediatrician, Sydney Children’s Hospital Network. She developed the Australian Guide to FASD Diagnosis, leads FASD Hub and FASD Register, contributed to NHMRC/WHO guidelines on alcohol use in pregnancy, and played a key role in the National FASD Action Plan.