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Meet our Speakers
Speaking in Auckland
Dr Tanya Breen
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Dr Tanya Breen isn’t just a Consultant Clinical Psychologist—she’s a champion for neurodiversity. With a mix of deep expertise and a knack for making complex ideas accessible, Tanya works to create a world where strengths shine, and barriers crumble. Whether consulting for government agencies or presenting at international conferences, she brings insight, warmth, and plenty of relatable anecdotes to the table. As an expert witness in the New Zealand court system, she navigates big, serious topics but never loses her human touch. Tanya’s work is about connection, inclusion, and maybe even a little humour along the way!
Abstract: Neurodiversity encompasses the natural variations in human cognition, sensory experiences, and social interaction styles, including conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others. Recognising neurodiversity in podiatric care is essential for fostering inclusive and person-centred practices. This entertaining presentation will explore key neurodiversity traits, discuss the challenges neurodiverse individuals may face in podiatry settings, and introduce strategies for neurodiversity-affirming care. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to adapt their communication, clinical environment, and treatment approaches to serve neurodiverse individuals better while promoting their autonomy and comfort.
Kate Bryce
University of Sydney
Kate Bryce is a musculoskeletal physiotherapist from Christchurch, New Zealand. She holds a Bachelor of Physiotherapy, a Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Medicine, and a Master of Health Science. Kate is a PhD candidate at the University of Sydney and her research focuses on enhancing behaviour change using digital technologies in the treatment of osteoarthritis. This includes behaviour change strategies used in the OA Coach mobile app for knee osteoarthritis and implementing an eLearning platform internationally (called ATLAS), to upskill clinician in osteoarthritis care.
Speaking in Auckland
Speaking in Palmerston North
Professor Matthew Carroll
Auckland University of Technology
Matthew is a Professor of Podiatry within the School of Clinical Sciences at Auckland University of Technology. His research focus is on chronic long-term conditions that affect the lower limb and foot. Since commencing his academic career in 2009 he has published widely in quality-assured peer-reviewed journals and presented nationally and internationally. He is active in the supervision of higher degree students and lecturing in both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Matthew is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Foot & Ankle Research and PLoS ONE, a past Associate Editor for BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (2015-2021), and an expert reviewer for NZ Foot & Ankle Research Review. He is an experienced academic leader having held various senior academic leadership positions. In recognition of his contribution to the leadership of learning and teaching, Matthew has been appointed as a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Authority and a Fellow of the Faculty of Podiatric Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.
Dr Mike Frecklington
Auckland University of Technology
Mike was awarded his BHSc, MPhil and PhD from AUT University where he is currently Head of Department for Podiatry. He has sat on several national working groups tasked with addressing workforce pipeline, education pathways and access to podiatry, as well as being a past director of the Australasian Council of Podiatry Deans.
Speaking in Palmerston North and Christchurch
A/Professor Kim Hébert-Losier
University of Waikato
Kim ...
Speaking in Auckland
Aaron Jackson
Auckland University of Technology
Aaron Jackson is a clinician, researcher, and lecturer in podiatric biomechanics, footwear, and foot orthoses at Auckland University of Technology. As a PhD candidate, his research focuses on the clinical application of lateral foot wedges. Aaron has a keen interest in how clinicians prescribe footwear and foot orthoses. As a regular trail runner, he will be combining his personal and professional interests in this field.
His presentation at the regional conferences will address the demands of off-road running and walking. He will explore how podiatrists can influence these activities, particularly by examining the evidence surrounding appropriate footwear.
Speaking in Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch
Dr Prudence Molyneux
Auckland University of Technology
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Speaking in Auckland and Christchurch
Speaking in Auckland
A/Professor Byron Perrin
La Trobe University, Australia
Byron Perrin is a podiatrist and Associate Professor at La Trobe University, Australia holding an Associate Dean-Academic Partnerships role in the La Trobe Rural Health School. He is the Chair of Diabetes Feet Australia (DFA), the peak body for diabetes-related foot disease (DFD) in Australia, and is recognised as a leading scholar in the discipline of podiatry in Australia. He established one of the first regional diabetes-related foot disease (DFD) health services in Australia in 2003, and subsequently developed and validated a regional-level DFD model of care. As a longstanding Steering Committee member and current Chair of DFA, he plays a lead role in reducing the national burden of DFD in Australia. This includes co-authorship of DFA’s original agenda setting National Strategy to Avoid Avoidable Amputations in a Generation (2018-2022), leading a DFA national-level study that determined the research priorities for DFD for Australian researchers guiding the national DFD research agenda for the next 5-10 years, and as a member of the DFA team who in 2021 published new national clinical guidelines, setting current Australian clinical standards for DFD. He has since led the development of the new Australian Strategy for Foot Health and Disease in Diabetes 2030, to be launched in May 2025.
A/Professor Sarah Stewart
Auckland University of Technology
Dr Sarah Stewart is a registered podiatrist and Associate Professor at the Auckland University of Technology.
Sarah has 14 years of experience in podiatry and rheumatology related research and has published over 70 journal articles in these fields. Her current research interests include gout, ultrasound imaging, lower limb biomechanics and gait analysis, and patient-reported foot- and lower limb-related pain and disability.
Speaking in Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch
Speaking in Christchurch
David Toomey
Auckland University of Technology
David Toomey is an experienced and passionate physiotherapist, lecturer, and researcher. With a diverse clinical background that spans from acute injury to chronic pain, and from weekend warriors to elite performers, David brings both depth and relatability to his work. He is committed to marrying the art and science of physiotherapy to improve outcomes for both clients and clinicians.
Originally from Ireland, David completed his BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy at University College Dublin, where he later returned as a tutor on the undergraduate programme. After relocating to New Zealand, he completed postgraduate qualifications in musculoskeletal physiotherapy at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), where he now lectures in the undergraduate and postgraduate physiotherapy programmes.
David recently completed his PhD, supported by the prestigious Vice-Chancellor Doctoral Scholarship at AUT. His research explored the pain-relieving effects of exercise (exercise-induced hypoalgesia) in people with knee osteoarthritis, examining how beliefs, expectations, and exercise dose shape outcomes.
David is passionate about translating research into engaging, practical education. He also collaborates with Clinical Edge to deliver international webinars that help clinicians make sense of complex topics like pain, communication, and movement. With a blend of academic insight and clinical relevance, David’s work challenges us to think beyond the joint and consider the person. In his downtime, he enjoys movies, cheesecake, and telling dad jokes — ideally all at once.