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Abstract Committee

Osteopathy Australia Conference 2026 Abstract Committee

Established in late 2025, this committee has led the review of a record 47 abstract submissions for the forthcoming conference. With a mandate to ensure quality, relevance and diversity of the conference program, the committee has carefully assessed each submission in line with the event's goals to showcase emerging research and provide learning that feeds into weekday practice and strengthens evidence informed care.

Selection process

The abstract committee reviewed abstract submissions via the platform, Oxford Abstracts.

Oxford Abstracts allowed Osteopathy Australia to collect, track, and manage conflict‑of‑interest declarations during the submission and review process. When setting up the the platform, Osteopathy Australia set the following abstract management guidelines:
• Submission forms that were customised to require authors to declare affiliations and co-authors.
• Reviewer assignment tools that allowed us to alert reviewers of prospective declared conflicts.
• A structured workflow for reviewing and decision‑making that supported transparent, auditable handling of COIs.

Osteopathy Australia gratefully acknowledges the committee’s commitment, time and knowledge in evaluating the submissions and offering thoughtful recommendations.

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Dr Amy Lawton (Osteopath)

Amy completed a Bachelor and Master of Health Sciences (Osteopathy) at Victoria University, and also holds a BSc in Physiology and Neuroscience from The University of Melbourne.

She balances her time between private practice, lecturing in the VU Osteopathy programme, and PhD research focused on the role of allied health professionals in community-based falls prevention.

Amy is passionate about integrating industry experience with tertiary education and research, aiming to inspire the next generation of evidence-based practitioners. Through her role on the CPD Working Group, Amy seeks to strengthen osteopaths’ ongoing professional development and promote lifelong learning within the profession. Amy is a current member of the CPD Working Group.

Dr Antonio Pilotto (Osteopath)

Antonio holds degrees in physiotherapy (2009) and osteopathy (2016). Since 2010, he has worked with musculoskeletal conditions across acute and chronic stages, supporting patients through rehabilitation and return to activity.

Between 2020 and 2024, Antonio was based in Qatar, working at Hamad Medical Corporation where he contributed to CPD programme design through the Scientific Planning Committee. He completed a Master of Science in Medical Education at Warwick University (UK) in 2024.

Antonio brings an international and interprofessional lens to the CPD Working Group of which he is a current member.

Dominic Buchta

Learning and Development Office with Osteopathy Australia

Dr Jack Feehan Senior Research Fellow

Jack is an early career Senior Research Fellow within the Institute for Health and Sport at Victoria University, specialising in translational interventions for chronic diseases. Additionally, he is a registered osteopath with a keen interest in enhancing research capacity among allied health students and professionals. For several years, he has been instructing research methods to students in VU's osteopathy program, resulting in numerous peer-reviewed publications for students and junior staff. Jack also leads the Translational Research in the Healthy Aging Research Program.

Dr Jake Martin (Osteopath)

Originally from the UK, Jake completed his osteopathy qualifications at Southern Cross University on the Gold Coast. He is passionate about musculoskeletal healthcare and takes pride in helping patients move better and feel their best.

Jake is committed to lifelong learning, having travelled across Australia to undertake further education. He combines thorough history taking and clinical assessment with a hands-on approach and tailored exercise therapy to treat a wide range of conditions.

Outside the clinic, Jake enjoys lifting weights, exploring farmers’ markets and hunting down a decent coffee. He’s also a dedicated fan of boxing, MMA and football and is a current member of the CPD Working Group.

Dr Kale Mazurek (Osteopath)

Kale has over 15 years’ experience as an osteopath and health education professional. He has a clinical interest in chronic pain and is passionate about advancing osteopathy’s place within the broader allied health sector.

A graduate of RMIT University, Kale has taught at Victoria University and currently runs a private practice in Winchelsea, Victoria. He also works with the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), advising on value-based healthcare plans for critically injured clients.

Kale is a current member of the CPD Working Group.

Dr Rebecca Prenc (Osteopath)

Rebecca holds a Master of Health Science and a Bachelor of Clinical Science (Osteopathy) from Victoria University, as well as a Bachelor of Health Science (Food Science and Nutrition) from Deakin University and a Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Education.

She worked in several clinics before establishing her own within a multidisciplinary GP setting in 2018. Rebecca also teaches in the osteopathy programme at Victoria University, where she focuses on first-year education.

Rebecca is passionate about student-centred learning and equipping future practitioners to be evidence-informed and reflective. Rebecca is a current member of the CPD Working Group.

Dr Sam Kayll (Osteopath)

Sam graduated from RMIT University in 2019 and has since worked across private practice and aged care in both regional and metropolitan Victoria. He is currently the principal osteopath at The Spinal Studio Traralgon.

Alongside clinical work, Sam is engaged in musculoskeletal and biomechanical research. He has completed an Honours degree and is undertaking a PhD at the Centre for Health Exercise and Sports Medicine at The University of Melbourne, investigating novel treatments for adolescent and adult patellofemoral pain.

As an early career osteopath, Sam is a current member of the CPD Working Group.

For more information, contact [email protected]

We extend our gratitude and appreciation to the committee members for generously volunteering their time.