Felix Bennetts is a Research Fellow at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, working under the supervision of Associate Professor David Thal and Dr. Sabatino Ventura. He completed his PhD in October 2024, with a focus on the structural and functional characterisation of the P2X1 receptor. Felix’s current research aims to therapeutically target the P2X1 receptor for the development of non-hormonal, oral male contraceptives. With support from the Male Contraceptive Initiative, his research advances drug discovery efforts to identify and optimise potent P2X1 receptor compounds for future clinical use. Beyond this, Felix has a broader interest in membrane proteins, applying structural biology and pharmacology to uncover druggable sites and guide small molecule drug design.

Dr Jess Dunleavy is an ARC DECRA Fellow in the Male Infertility and Germ Cell Biology lab (led by Prof. Moira O’Bryan) at the BIO21 Institute and School of Biosciences at The University of Melbourne. Her research focuses on understanding the fundamental mechanisms that drive mammalian sperm production and function. Jess begun her research career working under the supervision of Prof. Neil Gemmell and Dr Sheri Johnson at the University of Otago (NZ), studying the effect of paternal age on fertility in Zebrafish. She then completed her PhD at Monash University in 2018 supervised of Prof. Moira O'Bryan and Prof. John Carroll, wherein she defined the essential functions of the microtubule severing protein KATNAL2 in sperm production. As a research fellow, her research has continued to focus on the cell biology of sperm production and function. This includes defining the unique reliance male fertility has on microtubule severing and non-canonical tubulin proteins, and current projects on mitochondrial sheath development and microtubule glutamylation in male germ cell development. With the support of the Male Contraceptive Initiative (USA), she is also currently characterising a novel sperm specific regulator of osmoregulation, which has the has the potential to be an exciting contraceptive target.

Steve Kretschmer is a pioneer in global demand research for novel contraceptive technologies, with nearly 30 years of experience bridging healthcare market research and global development. As founder of DesireLine, he leads interdisciplinary teams applying behavioral science, data science, and human-centered design to shape health solutions that align with real-world user needs, especially in reproductive health, HIV, and health system strengthening. Steve is also CEO of Sacyl Pharmaceuticals, a biotech developing first-in-class, non-hormonal, on-demand contraceptives. He has led the largest global study to date on male contraceptive demand, covering both LMICs and the U.S., and has advised donors, governments, and implementers on strategy and demand forecasting. His work informs investment, product design, and policy for equitable access to modern contraceptive methods. He holds an MBA from The Pennsylvania State University and a B.A. in Philosophy from Thomas Aquinas College.