Biomedical Sciences

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I am a native of Perth, WA. After completing undergraduate studies (BSc Hons - organic chemistry) and graduate studies (MSc) in organometallic chemistry at UWA, I taught high school science, human biology, chemistry and computing for around 12 years, during which time a DipEd (Murd.) and GDipAppSc (WAustCAE) in computer studies were obtained.
Pursuing a career change, I studied the chemistry and bioactivity of a West Australian native plant that enjoys an anecdotal reputation as a cancer treatment in that state. For this work I was awarded a PhD from the School of Pharmacy at Curtin University in Perth.

With my family, I moved from Perth to join the staff in the School of Biomedical Sciences at CSU in November 1998 as lecturer in medicinal chemistry.

My research interests lie principally in the field of biologically active natural products and include

• Phytochemistry of Australian native plants (especially the Goodeniaceae)
• Traditional Aboriginal Medicines.
• Nutrition and nutriceuticals
• Allelopathy - plant-plant/plant-animal/plant-ecological relations
• Cancer, diabetes and serotonin-related disorders serve as a platform or springboard for my research efforts.

Teaching

Teaching philosophy

• My teaching philosophy can be summarised by saying that I desire to give my students a 'Big Picture' view of their educational experience, one that encourages them to integrate the curriculum so that subjects are not seen in isolation.
• I aim to give my students the necessary tools to be able to master the subject/s they are studying under my tutelage. However, mastery is not accomplished over night and I view it as a continuing process. In achieving this I strive to demonstrate my own strategies for learning as one model amongst many.
• I seek to instil my students with an interest in the subject/s I teach that goes beyond their 'everyday professional needs' and builds in them an understanding of the subject/s that provides a strong foundation for continuing professional development.
• I wish to inculcate in my students a desire for lifelong learning and encourage in them that research/ teaching is a possible career path for a few of them.

Current subjects taught

• PHM320 Organic and Medicinal Agents (B.Pharm. and B.Med.Sc).
• PHM405 Professional Practice 2 (B.Pharm).

Reviews of Teaching Texts

I have been nationally and internationally recognised to have input for the following books all of which are widely used.

Current Research

As a University academic, I believe research should inform teaching. Accordingly, my research program involves the supervision of Honours and Postgraduate students. To give you an idea of my research interests, a list of some of the Honours and PhD projects with which I have been involved (or anticipate involvement) follows:

PhD

• Antimicrobial activity of Fijian medicinal plants
• Anti-oxidant properties of some Australian plants used in flavouring foods
• Anti-diabetic plants in Traditional Aboriginal medicines
• Ethnoveterinary medicines derived from Australian native plants
• Studies in the phytochemistry of the Goodeniaceae
• The use of Australian plants in the treatment of skin cancers
• Allelopathy and ecological prospects using Australian plants

Honours

• Goodenia ovata - preliminary phytochemical investigations
• Investigations into the chemistry and pharmacology of Codonocarpus cotinifolius
• Transfermal permeation of natural products of potential medicinal importance.

None of the projects or research areas has been exhausted...there is still much to be learned about the use of plants for food and as medicines.

Publications