ANGMA 2025 CONFERENCE
November 6-8
Flinders Health and Medical Research Building,
Adelaide, South Australia
We’re excited to announce our preliminary program, with renowned local and international speakers!
Preliminary Program
Symposium Speakers
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Prof Ravinder Mittal
PLENARY SPEAKER
Gastroenterologist and Professor of Medicine, UC San Diego, USA.
Prof. Ravinder Mittal is a distinguished professor and director of the Neurogastroenterology and Motility Center at UC San Diego. His pioneering research focuses on the pathophysiology and treatment of esophageal disorders, particularly gastroesophageal reflux disease and esophageal motility disorders.
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A/Prof Jessica Biesiekierski
INVITED SPEAKER
University of Melbourne
A/Prof Biesiekierski is a prominent figure in the field of functional gut disorders, with her research on the low FODMAP diet garnering significant media attention. Her recent work has been investigating the role of diet in IBS.
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Prof Damien Keating
INVITED SPEAKER
Deputy Director, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute
Prof. Keating’s groundbreaking work focuses on understanding the complex interactions between the gut and other organ systems, particularly exploring how gut hormones influence metabolism, appetite regulation, and overall health.
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Dr Candice Fung
INVITED SPEAKER
KU Leuven, Belgium.
Dr. Candice Fung, a postdoctoral researcher at TARGID, KU Leuven has made groundbreaking discoveries on the mechanisms by which the enteric nervous system detects and responds to nutrients in the gut. Her recent publication in the prestigious journal Nature unveiled novel insights into how enteric neurons sense and integrate nutrient signals using complex in vivo recordings.
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A/Prof Hamish Philpott
INVITED SPEAKER
Adelaide Gastroenterology
A leading clinician-scientist in the field of neurogastroenterology, Dr. Hamish Philpott from Adelaide Gastroenterology has made significant contributions to our understanding of functional gastrointestinal disorders and the intricate interplay between the gut and brain.
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Dr Rachel McQuade
INVITED SPEAKER
University of Melbourne
A talented early-career researcher, Dr. McQuade’s recent work has focused on investigating changes in the enteric nervous system in neurodegenerative disease. Her lab is continuing challenging investigations into how the gut becomes damaged in “inflammaging”.
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Prof Phil Dinning
INVITED SPEAKER
Flinders University, Adelaide
Prof. Phil Dinning is a renowned expert in the field of neurogastroenterology and gastrointestinal motility disorders at Flinders University. His research focuses on investigating the complex neural control mechanisms underlying gut motility and developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for motility disorders.
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A/Prof Rebecca Burgell
INVITED SPEAKER
Monash University
Dr. Rebecca Burgell is a distinguished consultant gastroenterologist at Alfred Health, Melbourne, where she leads both the Home Enteral Nutrition service and the Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders service. Her expertise spans a wide range of areas, including inflammatory bowel disease, clinical nutrition, pelvic floor dysfunction, and functional gastrointestinal disorders, bolstered by her PhD research at the University of London on the neurophysiology of severe functional constipation. Alongside her clinical work, Dr. Burgell holds an academic appointment at Monash University, where she actively contributes to cutting-edge clinical research in gastroenterology.
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Prof Nick Spencer
INVITED SPEAKER
Flinders University
Professor Nick Spencer is a world-renowned neuroscientist and gastrointestinal researcher, recognised for his groundbreaking work on the enteric nervous system and gastrointestinal motility. His pioneering research has revolutionised our understanding of how the gut functions, particularly in elucidating the neural circuits controlling colonic motility and the mechanisms underlying propulsion in the gastrointestinal tract.
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Dr Trina Kellar
INVITED SPEAKER
Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
Dr. Trina Kellar is a prominent neurogastroenterologist based in Brisbane, where she spearheads the NeuroGastroenterology service at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. As co-founder of the Queensland Pelvic Floor Centre, Dr. Kellar has established herself as a leader in comprehensive gastrointestinal care. Her research portfolio reflects a keen interest in the intricate connections between gut and mind, with a focus on eating disorders, gastropsychology, and gastroduodenal dysfunction, positioning her at the forefront of integrative approaches to digestive health.
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Prof Cyril Seillet
INVITED SPEAKER
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
Prof Seillet is a leading immunologist whose research explores how the immune system interacts with the gut in health and disease. His work has provided key insights into the role of innate lymphoid cells and other immune populations in shaping gastrointestinal homeostasis and driving inflammatory conditions.
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A/Prof Santosh Sanagapalli
INVITED SPEAKER
St Vincent's Clinic,
A/Prof Santosh Sanagapalli is a distinguished gastroenterologist and researcher, specialising in advanced endoscopy, functional gastrointestinal disorders, and esophageal motility disorders. His research focuses on improving diagnostic accuracy and developing novel therapeutic approaches for complex gastrointestinal conditions, particularly in the areas of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and innovative endoscopic techniques.
Clinical workshop
Saturday 8 Nov: 8am - 12pm
Join us for a specialised workshop dedicated to practicing gastroenterologists and trainees!
Presentations will cover novel innovations and practical approaches to oesophageal disorders, disordered eating, gastroparesis, constipation and other functional gut disorders (disorders of gut brain interactions).
Speakers include:
Prof Ravinder Mittal (UC San Diego)
Dr Trina Kellar (Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital)
Prof Nick Spencer (Flinders University)
A/Prof Santosh Sanagapalli (St Vincent’s Clinic)
A/Prof Rebecca Burgell (Monash University)
Sponsorship
We’d like to thank our sponsors for making this conference possible!
For further information regarding sponsorship, please contact our organisers at: info@angma.org.au
Marcello Costa Award 2025
In honour of the late Prof Marcello Costa and his immense contributions to the field of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, ANGMA is proud to present our inaugural Young Investigator award in his name. This award is made possible by the generous donation of Prof Marcello Costa and will be presented every 2 years. In 2025, this $2,000 AUD award is open to researchers who are up to 5 years post-PhD (with career disruptions will be taken into consideration)
Congratulations to our short-list of 4 applicants, who will be speaking at the special Young Investigator session on Thursday, 6 November!
Ms Jessica Chao. Flinders University
Mr Klaas Van Mechelen. University of Melbourne
Mr Srinivas Kamath. University of South Australia
Mr Vic Lin. RMIT University
The final decision will be made by a panel of judges at the conference, and the award presented at the closing ceremony.
ECR presentation awards
Our committee is also excited to present four presentation awards that will be decided by judges at the conference:
Best clinical oral presentation: $500
Best discovery science oral presentation: $500
Best clinical poster: $500
Best discovery science poster: $500
Abstracts
Abstract submissions for oral presentation and the Marcello Costa Award have now closed.
Abstracts are currently under consideration for oral presentations for each of our symposium sessions:
Gut-brain axis and DGBIs
Immunology
Enteric Nervous System and Advances in Gut Motility
Diet and gut microbiome
Late breaking abstracts for poster presentation remains open.
Please use the abstract submission template: download template
Registration
ANGMA has always endeavoured to keep the cost of registrations low to encourage ECR attendees!
Our registration portal is now open! Early bird registration will close 1 October.
Registration rates:
Early bird student/trainee: $150
Early bird full member: $250
Late registration student/trainee: $200
Late registration full member: $300
Conference dinner: $80
Location
Flinders Health and Medical Research Building
Bedford Park, South Australia 5042
Accommodation
Our accommodation partners have provided some exciting discounts! All discount codes will be provided at registration. If you have any questions, please contact: info@angma.org.au
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Intercontinental Adelaide
Located on North Terrace in the Adelaide CBD, ANGMA conference attendees have a discounted rate of $275 per night
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Oaks Adelaide and Oaks Glenelg
The Oaks hotel group have generously provided a 15% discount to all 6 of their Adelaide hotels, including: Oaks Adelaide Embassy Suites, Oaks Adelaide Horizons suites, iStay Precinct Adelaide, and Avani Adelaide Residences in the CBD; as well as Oaks Glenelg Plaza Pier Suites and Oaks Glenelg Liberty Suites
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Mantra Tonsley
Strategically positioned close to Flinders University, the Mantra Tonsley has offered ANGMA participants a discount rate of 15%
Organising Committee
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Dr Charles Cock
Flinders Medical Centre
Lead organiser.
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Dr Alyce Martin
Flinders University
Lead organiser.
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Dr Dan Thorpe
Flinders University
Local organising committee
Scientific Organising Committee
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Dr Marlene Hao
PRESIDENT
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Dr Santosh Sanagapalli
PRESIDENT ELECT
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Dr Jessica Biesiekierski
SECRETARY
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Dr Rachel McQuade
COMMUNICATIONS
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Dr Leni Rivera
AWARDS
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Dr Alyce Martin
TREASURER
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Dr Charles Cock
CLINICAL MEMBER
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Dr May Wong
TRAINEE ENGAGEMENT
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Dr Peter Wu
SPONSORSHIP
For more information, please contact: info@angma.org.au

