HDR Students
 | Adele CaveEffectiveness of a herbal and nutritional supplement on cognitive function in older adults with subjective cognitive complaints. This PhD project will test the efficacy of a herbal and nutritional supplement on cognition, mood, fatigue, electrophysiology and autonomic function in a sample of older adults who report subjective cognitive complaints. |
 | Alison MaunderThe role of naturopathy in the management of women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). This PhD project will investigate the use of naturopaths by women with DOR and their experiences, the treatment patterns of naturopaths in their management of women with DOR, and finally, the effectiveness and safety of a naturopathic treatment option for women with DOR. Alison is a recipient of the NICM HRI and Jacka Foundation of Natural Therapies Scholarship Program. |
 | Andrew ProudfootEndometriosis and Endocannabinoid System Modulation: optimizing cannabinoid medicine in an insurance medicine context for Australian patients. This MPhil project aims to examine, survey and understand the current experience and potential barriers to life, disability and trauma insurance access for women with endometriosis managing their disease both with and without cannabis. |
 | Augustus (Yu Tat) ChanRandomised sham-controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for overactive bladder in Australian women population. This PhD aims to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for female patients with an overactive bladder and develop a standardised acupuncture treatment protocol. |
 | Brigitte LinderA collaborative design of a case report guideline for Chinese herbal medicine (CHM). This MRes project aims at creating a case report guideline and form to facilitate and increase publications in prestigious journals. |
 | Christine MurrayA clinical trial of a herbal medicine for the management of osteoarthritis of the knee. This PhD project will clinically evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a novel standardised herbal formulation in reducing pain from osteoarthitis of the knee. The study will involve a 12-week randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trial. Christine is a recipient of the NICM HRI and Blackmores Institute Scholarship Program. |
 | Dhevaksha NaidooThe effects of residential health and wellness retreat experiences on health and wellbeing. This PhD project aims to evaluate what measurable impact virtual retreat programs might have on resilience and coping during periods of crisis. |
| Emma WongElectroacupuncture for improving erectile dysfunction after robotic assisted radical prostatectomy: A randomised controlled trial and feasibility study. This PhD project will investigate whether electroacupuncture can improve erectile dysfunction after prostatectomy. Emma is a recipient of the NICM HRI and Blackmores Institute Scholarship Program. |
 | Fiona HargravesLifestyle medicine for mental health. This PhD project will investigate whether active virtual reality gaming can increase motivation and engagement in Physical Activity as a mental health promotion strategy. Fiona is a recipient of the NICM HRI and Blackmores Institute Scholarship Program. |
Hezheng LaiDeveloping a consensus statement for building protocol content of clinical trials in TCM modalities for cancer care. This PhD project aims aims to develop a consensus statement for building clinical trial protocol content for cancer care in TCM modalities. | |
 | Justin SinclairThe safety, tolerability and effectiveness of medicinal cannabis for the symptomatic management of endometriosis: A mixed methods study. Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition that impacts 1 in 10 women, with an estimated prevalence of 750,000 women in Australia and approximately 176 million women worldwide. With no known cure, this PhD aims to investigate a standardised and quality assured medicinal cannabis product for endometriosis pain and associated symptoms. Justin is a recipient of the NICM HRI Scholarship Program. |
 | Katerina ChristofidesExploring the neurochemistry of cognitive decline in mild cognitive impairment. |
 | Kayla JayeThe anticancer activity and molecular mechanisms of action of gut microbial metabolites against human breast cancer cell lines in vitro. This MRes project will evaluate anticancer activity of gut microbial metabolites to understand the precise and mechanistic role of gut microbiome in breast cancer. |
Ki Kyung KwonAcupuncture for treating a symptom cluster (pain, fatigue, sleep, neuropathy) for women with breast cancer: a feasibility study. This MRes study will examine the feasibility of acupuncture for women with breast cancer, and investigate potential relationships between the symptom cluster (pain, fatigue, sleep, neuropathy) and traditional Chinese medicine. | |
 | Kiran ShahbazPharmacological investigation of crocin in ischemic stroke via human astrocytic signalling pathways and mechanisms. This PhD project aims to investigate the mechanism of action and therapeutic potential of crocin. |
 | Kirandeep KaurModification of curcumin and investigation of its bioactivity. This PhD project aims to assess the solubility bioactivity (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer) and molecular mechanism of action of the modified curcumin. |
 | Maria GonzalezEvaluation of a yoga intervention on mental health in cancer patients. Mental health issues in people diagnosed with cancer are prevalent and can cause serious consequences in those affected. This PhD project aims to assess the effects of a yoga program on mental health symptoms and associated health measures such as quality of life. |
 | Joelle MetriInvestigating a sustainable means of monitoring alzheimer’s disease risk via non-invasive biomarkers. This MRes project aims to investigate the relationship between the kynurenine pathway and Alzheimer’s disease. |
 | Seungeon YeonThe effect and mechanisms of natural products on vascular calcification in vitro and in vivo. This PhD project aims to establish a cell model and animal experiments of vascular calcification to investigate the possible role of sclerostin on vascular development and progression. |
 | Shayal DeviExploring the role of gut microbiota in the pharmacological effects of cholesterol health on controlling blood cholesterol and the risk of metabolic syndrome. This PhD project aims to investigate through preclinical methods the effect of a plant-based supplement on gut microbiota as a potential target for metabolic syndrome, with a focus on diabetes. Shayal is a recipient of the NICM HRI and Blackmores Institute Scholarship Program. |
 | Shintu MathewDiscovery of novel anti-inflammatory compounds from Australian Indigenous plants. This PhD project aims to discover novel anti-inflammatory compounds from these Indigenous plants using bioactivity-guided purification and modern chemical analysis. Shintu is a recipient of the NICM HRI Scholarship Program. |
 | Simi SinghHerbal quality assessment by chemical characterisation and study of anti-cancer activity of selected Chinese medicinal herbs. This PhD project seeks to determine the variability of selected bio-active components in raw herbs and commercially prepared extracts. |
 | Vibhuti RaoThe role of Ayurveda and yoga in managing polycystic ovary syndrome in ethnic Indian women; a mixed-method study.This PhD project will examine a combined lifestyle intervention including Ayurvedic diet and yoga to manage symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). |
| Zechariah MartingPhytochemical profiling and pharmacological studies of Australian grown Vernonia amygdalina Delile (family Asteraceae). This PhD project will evaluate the pharmacognostic, phytochemical and pharmacological value of Vernonia amygdalina Delile for the effective prevention and management of diabetes mellitus. |
