Dr Meri Oakwood

Meri Oakwood has degrees in Science (with first class Honours) from Macquarie University, Law (with first class Honours) from Southern Cross University and a PhD (in Science) from the Australian National University. Between 1997 and 2002, she tutored in ecology at the Australian National University (Canberra), lectured and tutored in biology and statistics at Charles Darwin University (Darwin) and lectured (Level B) in ecosystem management at the University of New England (Armidale). Meri was the proprietor of an environmental consultancy from 2001 to 2013, undertaking research projects for various government agencies in remote areas in New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. In recent years, Meri has worked and volunteered in a wide range of law related roles and has experience in criminal law, victim's rights, family law, conveyancing and wills & estates. She has worked for the Mid North Coast Legal Centre and the Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service.

Dr Barbara Padalino

Dr. Barbara Padalino earned her degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Bari (Italy) in 2002. In 2017, she completed a PhD at the University of Sydney (Australia), with a thesis titled “Transportation of Horses and the Implications for Health and Welfare.” She is currently an Associate Professor specializing in animal behavior, husbandry, and welfare.

Throughout her career, Dr. Padalino has held academic and research positions at several universities, including the University of Bologna and the University of Bari in Italy; City University and Cornell University in Hong Kong; Charles Sturt University, the University of New England, and the University of Sydney in Australia.