Professor Simon Denny

Professor Simon Denny, M.P.H., Ph.D., FRACP is an internationally recognised Adolescent and Young Adult Physician, researcher, and health system leader. He is the Director of the Mater Young Adult Health Centre and a Professor at the University of Queensland, where his work focuses on improving health outcomes for adolescents and young adults, particularly within adult hospital settings.

Professor Denny is a leading advocate for youth-centred models of care that extend beyond traditional paediatric–adult transitions, embedding developmentally appropriate, multidisciplinary services within adult health systems.

His clinical and research interests include chronic disease management, mental health, health risk behaviours, and healthcare accessibility for young people. He has authored many peer-reviewed publications and his highly cited work on the social determinants of adolescent health, published in The Lancet, has shaped international policy and practice. His work continues to influence youth health policy, clinical practice, and professional education globally.

Dr Bridget Farrant

Dr Bridget Farrant is an Adolescent Physician and Clinical Head at Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau Kidz First Centre for Youth Health.

She is also a Clinical Advisor for the Northern Region Starting Well team of Te Whatu Ora Planning, Funding and Outcomes and senior lecturer with the University of Auckland’s Department of Paediatrics.

Bridget’s clinical and research interests include young people with chronic health conditions, youth appropriate health service development, integration and quality improvement, as well as education and training in adolescent and young adult health.

Professor Catherine (Cass) Byrnes

Professor Cass Byrnes is a Professor of Paediatric Population Health in the Paediatric Department of the University of Auckland and a paediatric respiratory specialist at the Starship Children & Kidz First Hospitals.

Cass leads research in prevention of disease or disease progression notably in bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis.

She seeks to improve health equity especially for Māori and Pasifika children, which involves exploring health care delivery, including transition to adult services.

Dr Colette Muir

Dr Colette Muir (Ngāi Tahu) is a Developmental Paediatrician at Starship, Auckland.

She specialises in working with young people with neurodevelopmental conditions.