Dr Bridie Schultz is the Director of Essential Skills for Science (ES4S), where she works with researchers to strengthen the skills that turn scientific expertise into real-world impact. With a PhD in Genetics and Conservation and a Master’s in Science Education, Bridie’s career has spanned research, education, science communication, commercialisation and industry engagement. She is particularly passionate about helping scientists communicate their work, work effectively with people beyond their discipline, and develop the practical skills needed to navigate careers both within and beyond academia. Her work in science, science communication and innovation has been recognised nationally and internationally.

Alex Childs is a sleep scientist at The Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane and PhD candidate with the University of Queensland. Her research is focussed on evaluating treatment effectiveness, experience and needs in Myotonic Dystrophy and the wider Muscular Dystrophy cohort.

Maddie Hall is a PhD candidate investigating behavioural, demographic, and socioeconomic predictors of positive airway pressure adherence in obstructive sleep apnoea. Her research focuses on improving how health behaviours are conceptualised and measured, with the goal of informing more effective and equitable approaches to sleep disorder management. Her broader research experience includes sleep and treatment decision-making in cancer populations and sleep-related outcomes in ADHD. Across her work, she is committed to advancing health equity and developing patient-centred strategies that improve sleep health outcomes.

Laura is a Canadian paramedic from Halifax, Nova Scotia, with nine years of experience working in ambulance services before transitioning into quality improvement roles. In February 2023, she moved to Melbourne to pursue a PhD at Monash University. Her research examines how shift work and circadian rhythm disruption affect paramedic sleep, stress responses, and decision-making.

Anna Sochiera is a PhD candidate in Psychology with a focus on digital health psychology. Her research centres on creating a digital intervention aimed at improving sleep for individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and their caregivers, highlighting an interest in the connection between mental and physical health. Anna has previously engaged in research projects examining chronic condition management and the incorporation of psychological strategies within healthcare settings. She holds an MSc in Health Psychology from University College London and has acquired research experience at University College London, University of Sussex, and University of Cambridge.

Jenny has many years of experience working in research and project management roles in health and education settings in New Zealand and Australia. She brings broad expertise in project management, qualitative research and implementation science skills, community and stakeholder engagement, consumer co-design, and translation of research to real world settings. Jenny believes partnership and collaboration with people with lived experience of sleep disorders is essential to ensure the work of the Sleep Health Foundation is meaningful and addressing the most important issues. Jenny is the co-chair of the Sleep Health Foundation Lived Experience Advisory Partners (LEAP) group and co-chair of the Australasian Sleep Association Primary Care Council. Jenny completed her PhD in 2023 at Flinders University. Her PhD explored the diagnosis and management of insomnia in Australia, identifying issues from the perspectives of people with sleep disorders and health care providers, and proposing ways to overcome these challenges. Jenny also works as a Research Associate at Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI): Sleep Health. Her primary research interests include improving access to effective behavioural treatment for insomnia, the management of sleep disorders in primary care and investigating new models of care for treatment of sleep disorders.

Louisa Smith brings over 20 years of senior leadership, board governance, and entrepreneurial innovation to the Sleep Health Foundation. With deep experience in the health and mental health sectors - including Board Director roles for both women’s cancer and mental health charities - Louisa offers a sophisticated understanding of the intersection between clinical mission and robust governance. She is dedicated to ensuring the Foundation remains Australia’s primary advocate for sleep health through revenue diversification and elevated brand visibility.

Samantha Bramich is an early career researcher at the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, specialising in sleep disorders as early markers of neurodegenerative disease. Her PhD research established a longitudinal project to detect isolated REM sleep behaviour disorder (iRBD) in Tasmania and investigate prodromal clinical profiles of neurodegenerative disease. Her work aims to improve early identification of neurodegenerative disease through accessible, community-based approaches, whilst also improving knowledge of the links between sleep and brain health.

Zohreh is a PhD graduate and sleep and nutrition researcher whose work focuses on the intersection of diet, sleep, and circadian rhythms, with a particular interest in the characteristics and health behaviours of early birds and night owls. She currently works as a Research Assistant at Flinders University and as a Clinical Trial Assistant at the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre (CPC). Her doctoral research was supported by the RTP Scholarship. She is also a recipient of the Christine Critchley Memorial Scholarship and was runner-up for the 2025 Sleep Science Communication Award.