National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine

15/10/2026

Coming to you live from Day 1 of the 5th annual Natural Products Futures Forum in Ballina! 👋

Despite a few showers this year, we’re enjoying a full house and a fantastic day of discussion, exploring everything from Patient-Centred Care and Healthy Policy for Healthy People to Harnessing Traditional Knowledge on the Road to Health.

There’s also a fantastic showcase of student research, with poster presentations from Southern Cross University and universities across Australia and New Zealand, including UTS, Western Sydney University and the University of Auckland.

Two days of connection, collaboration and ideas shaping the future of natural products and integrative health. 🌿

08/10/2026

What will the future of the natural products and integrative health workforce look like?

As the sector continues to evolve, growth will require more than new ideas — it will require adaptable professionals, strong leadership, diverse career pathways and a willingness to embrace innovation and collaboration.

At this year’s Natural Products Futures Forum, the Diversification, Growth and the Future Workforce panel will explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the sector’s future, from workforce development and interdisciplinary skills to entrepreneurship, emerging technologies and evolving industry expectations.

Chaired by Dr Lesley Braun, Co-founder of Biome Mega, the panel brings together perspectives from education, research and industry:

🎤 Associate Professor Andrea Bugarcic - Deputy Director (Education), National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine

🎤 Professor Kamal Dua - Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, NICM Health Research Institute and School of Science, Western Sydney University

🎤 Dr Thomas Brendler - Director, Plantaphile

Together, they’ll explore what it takes to build a resilient, adaptable and future-focused sector — and how professionals, organisations, educators and industry can create new pathways for growth while maintaining ethical, evidence-informed practice.

📍 Natural Products Futures Forum | 15–16 October 2026 | Ballina RSL

With one week to go we have a handful of tickets left. Will you join us for conversations that look beyond where the sector is today and towards where it could go next? https://ow.ly/Ufre50ZVItm

01/10/2026

🌏 From Cape Town to a global research agenda.

NCNM’s Professor Amie Steel is helping shape the future of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine research on the global stage.

Last month, Amie joined public health leaders at the World Congress on Public Health in Cape Town, presenting findings from a major international research prioritisation exercise led by NCNM researchers.

That work has now contributed to the World Health Organization’s Global research priorities and agenda for traditional medicine 2025–2034 — setting out key research priorities for the next decade.

From mental health, pain and cancer to metabolic and reproductive health, antimicrobial resistance, climate resilience and responsible AI, the agenda highlights where research is needed to strengthen the evidence base and support the future of traditional medicine.

For NCNM, it’s an important example of how our research is contributing to international conversations and helping shape priorities beyond Australia.

🔗 Read the full story:

World Health Organization sets global research priorities for traditional medicine

28/09/2026

⚖️ KEYNOTE SPOTLIGHT: GAELENE PYKE

What does the future of complementary and over-the-counter medicines look like from a regulatory perspective?

We’re pleased to welcome Gaelene Pyke, Director of the OTC Medicines Evaluation Section within the Complementary & OTC Medicines Branch (COMB) at the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), to this year’s Natural Products Futures Forum.

Gaelene brings more than 30 years’ experience in medicines regulation, spanning complementary medicines, listed medicines and registered over-the-counter medicines. Her experience also includes advertising and recalls, as well as quality assurance and analytical work across pharmaceutical, government and pathology settings.

She has played an important role in the development of regulatory processes for listed medicines, including contributing to the development of the Electronic Listing Facility (ELF).

At the time of this year’s Forum, Gaelene will be Acting Assistant Secretary of the Complementary & OTC Medicines Branch, bringing valuable insight into the regulatory environment that supports the quality, safety and appropriate supply of complementary and OTC medicines in Australia.

For an industry navigating evolving regulation, innovation and changing consumer expectations, understanding the regulatory landscape is an important part of building for tomorrow.

📍 Ballina, NSW
📅 15–16 October 2026
🎟️Get your ticket here: www.scu.edu.au/npff

23/09/2026

Patient-Centred Care | Meet the Panel

What does truly collaborative, patient-centred healthcare look like in practice?

At the Natural Products Futures Forum 2026, our Patient-Centred Care panel will explore how stronger collaboration across healthcare disciplines and settings can create more connected experiences for patients — and support better health outcomes.

Chaired by Professor Evelin Tiralongo, Director of the Clinical Trial Unit at Griffith University, the panel brings together perspectives from primary healthcare, professional representation and integrative oncology:

🎤 Luke Elias — Director, Primary Health Programs and Partnerships, Healthy North Coast
🎤 Hannah Boyd — President, Naturopaths & Herbalists Association of Australia (NHAA)
🎤 Associate Professor Judith Lacey — Head of Supportive Care and Integrative Oncology, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse

Together, the panel will explore what meaningful collaboration looks like across disciplines, settings and models of care — from multidisciplinary practice and shared decision-making to referral pathways, patient education and self-care.

The conversation will consider:

🔹 How communication and collaboration can support continuity of care and better patient experiences
🔹 What effective multidisciplinary care looks like in practice
🔹 How practitioners and organisations can build trust across professional and healthcare settings
🔹 The role of education and self-care in empowering patients
🔹 Opportunities and challenges in creating more connected models of care
🔹 How we can strengthen partnerships across the healthcare system while keeping patient wellbeing at the centre

With experience spanning clinical research, primary health partnerships, professional leadership and integrative oncology, our panellists will bring diverse perspectives to an important question: how can we work better together to deliver healthcare that is more connected, collaborative and responsive to the needs of the whole person?

Join us at this year's 5th annual Forum for a practical conversation about collaboration in action — and what we can each do to strengthen patient-centred care within our own practice, organisation or community.

📍 Ballina, NSW
📅 15–16 October 2026
®️ Register here https://ow.ly/bat250ZQoh4

21/09/2026

💛 Supporting connection, wellbeing and community

While R U OK? Day was held on 10 September, we’re taking a moment to look back at the wonderful contribution our NCNM students made to the day across Southern Cross University.

NCNM supported two student-led activities designed to encourage connection and wellbeing:
🥗 Food & Mood – Our Master of Naturopathic Medicine students developed and delivered an interactive education session on the Gold Coast campus, co-designed with Jessica Bayes and Gareth Vanderhope.
💆 Head & Neck Massage – Our Bachelor of Health Science (Health & Lifestyle) students, supervised by Henrietta Chang and Charlotte McMahon, delivered head and neck massages across the Gold Coast and Lismore campuses, providing four hours of practical wellbeing support to fellow students.

Both activities were a wonderful success, with strong engagement and positive feedback highlighting the students’ knowledge, professionalism and genuine care for their fellow students.

We’re incredibly proud of our students for putting their knowledge and skills into practice while contributing to a stronger, more connected university community.

13/09/2026

🔬 Keynote Spotlight: Professor Kamal Dua

How do we move great research beyond the laboratory and into real-world innovation?

At this year’s Natural Products Futures Forum, Professor Kamal Dua will explore this question in his keynote:

“How Academia can support Innovation and Translation within Industry”

As part of our focus on Strengthening Today, Building for Tomorrow, Professor Dua will examine the important role academia can play in helping research move towards innovation, industry collaboration and practical application.

Professor Dua is Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the NICM Health Research Institute and School of Science, Western Sydney University, and an award-winning researcher specialising in drug delivery, immunology and pharmaceutical innovation. His research explores the potential of phytoceuticals, nutraceuticals and functional foods, alongside the development of innovative delivery systems for inflammatory diseases and cancer.

With more than 17 years of research experience and a strong track record of industry engagement and research translation, his work demonstrates the potential of collaboration between academia and industry to take promising discoveries closer to real-world impact.

His keynote will be particularly relevant for researchers, innovators, industry leaders and anyone interested in how we can better connect research, innovation and commercialisation to help shape the future of natural and integrative health.

📍 Ballina, NSW
📅 15–16 October 2026

Join us for two days exploring the ideas, research and partnerships shaping the future of natural products and health. Get your ticket here: https://ow.ly/U6gh50ZLJZo

10/09/2026

🌏 Shaping the future of traditional medicine through research and collaboration

Public health researchers, practitioners, policymakers and advocates from around the world recently gathered in Cape Town, South Africa, for the World Congress on Public Health (WCPH), the largest global event for the public health community.

Representing NCNM and Southern Cross University, Professor Amie Steel travelled to Cape Town to contribute to these important international discussions. As part of the Congress program, Amie convened a session bringing together leading global experts in traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM), including Dr Geetha Krishnan Gopalakrishna Pillai, Dr Hiba Boujnah, and Dr Ossy Kasilo, to explore the role of TCIM research in addressing global health challenges.

The session challenged the public health community to explore their role in implementing the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy (2025-2034) and to understand how TCIM impact public health.

With TCIM already used by billions of people globally, strengthening the research evidence base is an important part of ensuring its safe, effective and evidence-informed contribution to health systems and population health.

It is encouraging to see the global TCIM research community contributing to broader international conversations about the future of public health and healthcare systems.

👉 Read the full update from the World Health Organization (WHO): https://ow.ly/PjCE50ZMn5m



WFPHA - World Federation of Public Health Associations

©WHODr Geetha Krishnan Gopalakrishna Pillai, Unit Head at the WHO Global Traditional Medicine CentreTraditional medicine researchers, policymakers and public health experts recently gathered in Cape Town, South Africa, at the World Congress on Public Health (WCPH). The workshop examined the contrib...

10/09/2026

🌿 Celebrating a shared connection to natural health

We’re excited to announce Nature's Sunshine Products, Inc. as sponsors of the 5th Annual Natural Products Futures Forum this year.

With more than 50 years of experience in herbal health, Nature’s Sunshine has built a strong legacy around the power of plants, quality ingredients and making natural health solutions accessible to people around the world.

Their longstanding connection to herbal medicine and commitment to quality make them a natural fit for a Forum focused on the future of the natural products sector.

There’s still time to be part of the conversation.

A limited number of sponsorship opportunities remain available for this year’s Forum. If your organisation would like to connect with researchers, practitioners, educators and industry leaders, get in touch with our team to explore the opportunities available.

📧 Contact us today to discuss a last-minute sponsorship opportunity: https://ow.ly/gIGy50ZL5ql

03/09/2026

Healthy Policy for Healthy People | Meet the Panel

What does it take to turn good evidence into meaningful policy change?

At the Natural Products Futures Forum 2026, our Healthy Policy for Healthy People panel will bring together perspectives from research, academia, regulation, industry, university leadership, clinical practice and science communication to explore how evidence, advocacy and policy intersect — and what this means for the future of public health and the natural products and integrative health sectors.

Chaired by NCNMs Professor Jon Wardle, the panel brings together:

🎤 Professor Jo Barnes — Deputy Head of School of Pharmacy, University of Auckland
🎤 Dr Michael Osiecki — Managing Director, BioConcepts and Vice Chairman, Complementary Medicines Australia
🎤 Dr Tobey-Ann Pinder — Head of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs, PharmaCare Laboratories
🎤 Chris Ashton — Chief of Staff, Southern Cross University
🎤 Gabrielle Covino — Naturopath, Educator and Science Communication Consultant

Together, they’ll explore the realities of policy development, regulation, research translation and stakeholder engagement, asking important questions about how the sector can contribute to policy environments that support safe, effective and accessible healthcare options.

With perspectives spanning the full journey from evidence and research through to regulation, policy, practice and public communication, this promises to be a rich and practical conversation about how we can move beyond identifying challenges to actively shaping the future of our sector.

Join us at the Natural Products Futures Forum 2026 as we explore how we can strengthen today and build for tomorrow. Register here: https://ow.ly/YByp50ZIwvu

📍 Ballina, NSW
📅 15–16 October 2026