ACCM members

Chair

Dr Joanna Harnett is a Senior Lecturer in Complementary Medicines at the University of Sydney Pharmacy School in the Faculty of Medicine and Health. Dr Harnett is a current board member of the International Society for Complementary, Traditional and Integrative Medicine Research, and the Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists. She serves on Advisory Safety Monitor Boards for clinical studies evaluating complementary medicines safety and efficacy. Dr Harnett provides expertise in the fields of complementary medical practice, herbal medicine, naturopathy, nutrition and nutritional medicine, and pharmacology.

Members

Professor Colin Barrow is an Alfred Deakin Professor and Chair of Biotechnology at Deakin University where he has taught and researched chemistry and biotechnology. He has a PhD in Organic Chemistry (Natural Products Chemistry) and an MBA. Over the last 10 years, Professor Barrow has led research primarily in areas of food chemistry, biotechnology and nanomaterials. In particular, he has developed methods for producing omega-3 concentrates, stabilised omega-3 delivery systems, fermentation methods for omega-3 production and methods for extracting and isolating new ingredients from agricultural and marine biomass. Professor Barrow has also worked in both the pharmaceutical and nutrition industries. Professor Barrow provides expertise in the chemistry and manufacture of complementary medicines.

Ms Vanessa Cullen is consumer representative on several organisations, including the Australian Living Evidence Collaboration, PKD Australia, the Australasian Kidney Trials Network, and CARI Guidelines. She has lived experience and a comprehensive background in healthcare advocacy, consumer engagement, business, governance, and strategic advisory roles. Ms Cullen has been an investigator and contributor to published trials, to clinical and consumer guidelines, and to research papers and has presented on panels for PKD Australia and Health Consumers NSW. Ms Cullen provides considerable and relevant experience in consumer health issues.

Adjunct Associate Professor Jennifer Hunter is a general practitioner, Director, Health Research Group and Co-Editor of the European Journal of Integrative Medicine. She is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, an Associate Professor (Affiliate) at the University of Sydney School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health and other roles include the International Society of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine Research elected Board of Directors, and editorial board member for several peer review journals. She has provided expert consultation to the World Health Organisation and the National Institute Medical Research Council. Adjunct Associate Professor Hunter provides expertise in traditional, complementary and integrative medicine, herbal medicine, nutrition, systematic reviews and health technology assessment and the translation of complementary medicine research into clinical practice guidelines, health service delivery, and policy.

Dr Valentina Naumovski is a Senior Lecturer and Senior Research Fellow in the Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of NSW. Her research spans the cultivation, analytical, pharmacological and clinical research of bioactive compounds, predominantly from natural products. She is on the research committee of the International Society for Complementary Medicine Research. Dr Naumovski provides expertise in complementary and herbal medicine, naturopathy, nutrition and nutritional medicine, pharmacology, pharmacognosy, toxicology and Chinese medicine.

Professor Welma Stonehouse is a Professor of Nutrition at Deakin University. At Deakin University, she serves as a Professor of Nutrition within the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences and the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition. Professor Stonehouse has served as the Immediate Past President of the Nutrition Society of Australia, Director of the Australian Nutrition Trust Fund (ANTF), committee member of the Federation of Oceanic Nutrition Societies and founding member and past-chair of the Oceanic Nutrition Leadership Platform. Professor Stonehouse provides expertise in the fields of nutrition and nutritional medicine.

Dr Thilini Thrimawithana is a pharmacist, academic, and researcher. She currently serves as the co-Program Manager and a Senior Lecturer in the Discipline of Pharmacy at RMIT University. Her research focuses on enhancing the understanding and quality use of complementary medicines, with the aim of ensuring their safe and effective integration into healthcare practices. She also investigates innovative formulation approaches to improve the efficacy and safety of herbal supplements, including nano-formulations and ocular therapeutics. Dr Thrimawithana provides expertise in the fields of complementary medical practice, manufacture of medicines, herbal medicine, nutrition and nutritional medicine, pharmacology and epidemiology."

Mr Richard Walton is a biostatistician with over 20 years’ experience across a range of sectors including the pharmaceutical industry, biotech, public health, academia, and NSW government. He has been involved in a new drug approval with the Food and Drug Administration in the USA, and a large part of his current role involves statistical and scientific communication with a wide range of stakeholders. Mr Walton is also required to read and synthesise information and data and is involved in real-world decision making in the NSW healthcare system. Mr Walton provides expertise in the fields of epidemiology and biostatistics.