Plenary and keynote Speakers
The 2025 AVA Conference theme is 'Cutting Through'. A plenaey and keynote speaker lineup packed full of international and local experts in surgery and cutting-edge veterinary medicine will help bring this topical theme to life.
Plenary speakers
Gerardo Poli
He is the author of the MiniVet Guide and co-host of The Vet Vault podcast. He is also a certified high-performance coach and co-founder of the Vet Success Academy. Gerardo develops training programs and provides coaching and performance tools to help veterinary professionals and business owners to work through challenges, move forward and get the most out of their chosen careers.
Tom Brownlie
Tom, a veterinary epidemiologist, data scientist and founder of ingenum, a veterinary data science company. Graduating from the Royal Veterinary College in 2001 into the UK Foot and Mouth disease outbreak, Tom worked as a field vet. Moving to New Zealand in 2006, he pursued his MVS at Massey University and a PhD with Dr Scott McDougall. In 2021, he developed Sentinel-AI, a deep learning model for animal disease detection, based on a pilot syndromic surveillance system developed for Australia in 2018. Tom consults for the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and lectures at Massey University while managing a family farm in Otago.
Steve Joslyn
Steve Joslyn, a veterinary radiologist, pioneers veterinary medicine through technology and informatics. Graduated from Murdoch University and completing his radiology residency at the University of Glasgow, he consults globally across four continents, specializing in 3D printing, hospital design, imaging workflows, teleradiology, and clinical services. Founder of Vedi, a veterinary medical data company, his blockchain-based universal health record transforms veterinary data management. As Co-Chair of the ACVR and ECVDI Artificial Intelligence and Education Committee, he evaluates AI's impact on veterinary radiology, ensuring responsible implementation. Dedicated to enhancing animal welfare, Steve embraces tech's challenges, seeking innovative solutions in caregiving.
Mark McKeon
Mark McKeon is one of Australia’s leading experts on Sustainable Peak Performance, combining change, resilience, productivity, work life balance and high-performance culture. He is the designer of the innovative ‘Every Day Counts’ and ‘Go Zone’ peak performance programs. Mark’s background includes 18 years in the AFL, first as a Player with Melbourne FC, then as a High-Performance Coach with Collingwood, including 5 years with the Victorian State of Origin Team. Mark is a member of the Collingwood Hall of Fame. He is also the Author of 4 books, with numerous international reprints or translations and he recently achieved the 2,000 presentation milestone!
Kendall Crocker
Kendall Crocker, a 1989 University of Melbourne veterinary graduate, served in various roles in Victorian and Tasmanian mixed practices before reactivating his Army Reserve career. With deployments to Afghanistan, Kiribati, PNG, and others, his work heavily involves One Health. He also served as Australia's Senior Veterinary Army Officer. Transitioning to the Department of Agriculture, he became an expert in animal welfare for livestock export. In mid-2023, he joined the Department of Health and Aged Care, aiding in establishing the Australian Centre for Disease Control. As the inaugural Director of its One Health Unit since January 2024, Kendall continues his impactful career.
Keynote speakers
Gregory K. Ogilvie (US)
Dr Greg Ogilvie, a board-certified internist and oncologist, leads Veterinary Oncology at UC San Diego's Moores Cancer Center and directs the Angel Care Cancer Center at California Veterinary Specialists. Based in San Diego, he pioneers cancer therapies and educates interns, residents, and students. He authored multiple books and over 200 scientific articles, securing patents and millions in research grants. An Ironman triathlete from a Colorado-native lineage, he's honored with teaching, research, and clinical awards. Passionate about veterinary oncology, he lectures globally, impacting students, veterinarians, physicians, and scientists worldwide.
Crystal Loh (NZ)
Dr Crystal Loh, a board-certified veterinary dentist, owns New Zealand Veterinary Dentistry Ltd., offering specialized dental services in Waikato. Graduating from Ontario Veterinary College in 2007, she completed an internship at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville before practicing as a general practitioner in New Zealand for over a decade. Acquiring memberships in Small Animal Dentistry & Oral Surgery, she completed a three-year residency program, becoming a diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College in 2022. Dr Loh shares her expertise through lectures globally and has a keen interest in oral and maxillofacial surgery, providing support and education to referring veterinarians with enthusiasm.
Chris Tan (AUS)
Chris, a small animal surgery specialist in Sydney, balances clinical practice, education, and research. As a hospital director at SASH Alexandria and associate professor at the University of Sydney, he focuses on quality education with AOVET Asia Pacific. Holding an academic role at the University of New South Wales, he collaborates across veterinary and human surgery fields to enhance patient outcomes. Despite limited spare time, Chris cherishes moments with his family away from the city.
Paulo Steagall (HK)
Dr Paulo Steagall, a board-certified specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, serves as a Professor at City University of Hong Kong. Renowned for his research on feline welfare and pain management, including the Feline Grimace Scale, he co-chairs WSAVA's Global Pain Council. Previously, he led initiatives like the 2022 ISFM Consensus Guidelines on Acute Pain Management. Recognized among the top 2% highly cited scientists by Stanford University, he authored over 140 scientific articles and the book "Feline Anaesthesia and Pain Management," while delivering lectures worldwide.
Jaume Fatjo (ESP)
Born in Barcelona in 1969, Jaume holds a veterinary medicine degree and a PhD from the Autonomous University of Barcelona. As a Diplomate of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine, he served as President from 2012 to 2014. Since 2010, he's been an assistant professor at the Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine at the same university. Leading the Affinity Foundation Chair for Animals and Health since 2012, he directs Ethogroup, a behavioral medicine referral service in Barcelona. As head of behavioral medicine and animal welfare at VetPartners Spain since 2023, his research delves into human-animal relationships and the assessment of animal behavior.