WNF Research Working Group

Co-Chair – Dr. Renée Purdy, ND, CAND (Canada)

Dr. Renée Purdy ND has a naturopathic medicine practice in New Brunswick, Canada, where she focuses on women’s health and mental health. She is a board director of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND), which she represents as an executive member on the WNF board. She also serves as chair of the Naturopathic Medicine Week Committee for the CAND. As co-chair of the WNF Research Committee, Renée aims to bring a clinical perspective to support the committee’s work in building research capacity within the naturopathic profession.

Co-Chair – Associate Professor Dr. Amie Steel, PhD, ND, UTS (Australia)

Dr. Amie Steel is an Associate Professor within the discipline of Public Health, Co-Director of the Australian Research Consortium in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (University of Technology Sydney), and an Australian Research Council Future Fellow. Amie has attracted ~$4.4M in research funding in the last 4 years and holds editorial appointments in leading complementary medicine academic journals. She has authored over 250 peer-reviewed publications, and edited three special journal issues and three research books including the Health Technology Assessment of naturopathy.

Dr. Kieran Cooley, ND (non-clinical), CCNM (Canada)

Kieran is Director of Research at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine and holds adjunct appointments as Instructor at the University of Toronto, and as Adjunct Research Fellow at the National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine at Southern Cross University. Kieran also serves as co-chair of the Research Working Group of the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine, on the Research Advisory Board of the RAND REACH Center for Collaborative Research in Complementary and Integrative Health, and on the board of the Natural Health Products Research Society.

Dr. Alioune Diaw, ND, Ph.D., Vitalopathie (France)

Dr. Alioune DIAW is a distinguished expert in naturopathy and functional medicine with over 25 years of international experience. Holding doctorates in veterinary sciences (EISMV, Senegal) and agricultural economics (University of Burgundy/ENESAD/INRA, France), and ND-DO (Lexingtion-Chelsea), he has worked as a Research and Extension Specialist in the USA. Founder and Director of the Académie de Vitalopathie, he promotes a scientific approach to holistic health. Dr. DIAW is also the President of the French Federation of Naturopathy (FENA) and leads the standardization of naturopathic practice through AFNOR’s C98N commission. His credentials include certifications from Harvard Medical School and the American Board of Functional Medicine.

Anne Gimalac, MSc, MBA, Navi (Switzerland)

Anne Gimalac is the Head of Navi, the integrative health research institute of the André Henzelin center (cAH) in Switzerland. She holds a Master of Science (Biology & Pharmacology of human aging) and a Master of Business Administration (Entrepreneurship & Innovation in Healthcare). Anne builds naturopathic research capacities within the framework of the Swiss Naturopathy Federal Diploma (meeting the highest standards in Europe) in Traditional European/Chinese/Ayurvedic Medicines and in Homeopathy. Her missions include collaborative programs (in Switzerland, Europe and worldwide), supervision of interns, teachings, publications and conferences, as well as fundraising.

Dr. Joshua Z Goldenberg, ND

Dr. Goldenberg is the Associate Director of the Helfgott Research Institute and has published numerous peer-reviewed articles including in JAMA and the BMJ. He teaches evidence evaluation at AIHM and advanced evidence synthesis at Helfgott. He is the founder of the Dr. Journal Club website and podcast and co-founder and research director of the Endocrine and Brain Injury Research Alliance and Brain Injury Research Solutions. He earned his Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University and his Bachelor’s in Molecular Biology from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a PhD candidate at Maastricht University in Forensic Epidemiology.

Dr. Joanna Harnett, PhD, MHSc, BHSc, University of Sydney (Australia)

Dr. Joanna Harnett is a Senior Lecturer (Complementary Medicines) at the University of Sydney
Faculty of Medicine and Health. She holds a PhD (Nutritional Pharmacology), Bachelor of Health
Science (Complementary Medicine – Naturopathy), Master Health Science (Complementary
medicine), Graduate Diploma in Clinical Nutrition, and a Grad Cert Educational Studies (Higher
Education). Her research focuses on the quality use of complementary medicines, and clinical studies
in gastrointestinal health through an integrative physiology lens. She is current board member of the
International Society for Complementary, Traditional and Integrative Medicine Research and serves
on the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration Advisory Committee Complementary
Medicines.

Dr. Melissa A Murphy, PhD, Bastyr University (USA)

Dr. Melissa A Murphy is an Associate Professor at Bastyr University San Diego and a faculty member at California State University San Bernardino. She completed her doctoral degree at Rutgers University in Nutritional Science and is also a Registered Dietitian. Her research focuses on bridges biochemical fundamentals with clinical nutrition and naturopathic practice. This includes the impact of diet and herbs on metabolic health. Dr. Murphy is a California State delegate for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a member of the integrative medicine practice group and has served on the WNF Research Committee since 2021.

Madeleine “Abena” Tuson-Turner, ND, MSiMR, MSGH, AANP and NUNM (USA)

Dr. Tuson-Turner is an international lecturer, and a distinguished naturopathic doctor and regenerative medicine specialist based in Oregon, USA. She has worked and lived part-time in Ghana, West Africa since 2009, where she was Medical Director of the first integrative medicine clinic. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Tuson-Turner shares her passion for furthering equitable access to Naturopathic Medicine with students through her faculty positions at the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) in USA and at the Nyarkotey University College of Holistic Medicine & Technology (NUCHMT) in Ghana.

Dr. Tuson-Turner is deeply committed to advancing the field of naturopathic medicine globally, evident through her roles as a past board member for the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), chairperson for the AANP’s Global Health Committee, and co-chair of the Education Committee of the WNF.

Dr. Jon Wardle, ND, PhD, UTS (Australia)

Jon Wardle is an Associate Professor of Public Health at the UTS Faculty of Health and holds visiting positions at the School of Medicine, University of Washington and the School of Medicine, Boston University. He has clinical backgrounds in naturopathy and nursing and postgraduate training in public health and law. Jon is the head of the Regulatory, Policy and Legislative Stream of the ARCCIM. He is also a core committee member of the Public Health Association of Australia’s Research Advisory Group, which promotes and advocates for public health research and development. Jon has worked on complementary medicine and primary healthcare policy in Australia, the UK, Germany, the US, Latin America and India, and holds editorial positions on a number of journals, including editor-in-chief at the International Journal of Naturopathic Medicine and Advances in Integrative Medicine.

Ex Officio – WNF CEO – Dr. Iva Lloyd, ND, CAND (Canada)

Dr. Iva Lloyd, ND was the inaugural president of the WNF from 2014 until 2023 and has now transitioned to WNF’s Chief Executive Officer. She has participated in seven WHO Working Groups, the Global Conference for Primary Health Care in Kazakhstan (2018), the CSO Dialogue between the TCIH and the WHO (2023) and the 1^st Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in India (2023).

Dr. Lloyd graduated from the CCNM in 2002 and continues to maintain a full-time naturopathic practice. She is Editor-in-Chief of the website www.ndhealthfacts.org as well as a reviewer on a number of journals. She is the author of four books and was lead editor for the Health Technology Assessment on Naturopathy (2021). Dr. Lloyd, ND is a prolific researcher, author and lecturer with over 20 peer-reviewed published articles.

Dr. Monique Aucoin, ND, MSc, CCNM (Canada)

Dr. Monique Aucoin ND MSc is a naturopathic doctor and senior research fellow at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. She is an adjunct professor at the University of Guelph in the department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences. Her clinical practice and research work are focused on the role of diet and nutrition in the treatment of mental illness. She recently led the world’s first randomized controlled trial studying the effects of diet on the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. She is also a Canadian leader in researching the role of evidence in naturopathic practice and in designing and delivering educational programs to increase the skills of NDs in this area. She is passionate about evidence synthesis and knowledge translation. Monique is an instructor at CCNM, a board member of INCAM research network and an editorial board member for the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors Journal. More info: www.MoniqueAucoinND.com

Ian Breakspear, Herbalist, Naturopth, MHerbMed (USyd), DipNat, DipBotMed, CertPhyto, NHAA (Australia)

Ian Breakspear is a herbalist and naturopath with more than 30 years of diverse experience across clinical practice, product development, professional education, and professional governance. He is currently a Senior Learning Facilitator in herbal and naturopathic medicine at Torrens University Australia, and an expert advisor to both the Olive Wellness Institute, and the Empowered by Evidence initiative. A former Vice-President of the NHAA, Ian continues to support the association as Chair of their Board Member Advisory Committee. Ian’s research activities to date have focused on herbal phytoequivalence, quality and safety.

Dr. Greg Conolly, PhD, Torrens University (Australia)

Dr. Greg Connolly, PhD, Associate Professor Naturopathy, Torrens University is a naturopathic practitioner, educator, researcher and mentor. Greg was in fulltime practice for 22 years and taught at SSNT since 1992. Since 2016 Greg works fulltime at Torrens University. Greg has been the inaugural chair of the Torrens University Health faculty research strategy committee. He is a member of two WNF committees. He is a Board director of the Jacka Foundation for Natural Therapies. Greg is a recipient of the Bioceutical Integrative Medicine Award “Living Legend” award for his four decades of national and international contributions to the naturopathic community.

Greg Fredericks, Naturopath, BA, MA, ND, NMD, CMA (Australia)

Greg holds a Masters Degree in Psychology (CA+USA), a Doctorate in Naturopathic medicine (UK) and is accredited in Pathology, Herbology, Chinese Medicine and Nutrition (USA). He has served on the Naturopathic Curriculum Advisory Board for Southern Cross University and OneCAM (AUS) and as an educator for Sanum (GmbH). Greg is a practising Naturopath of 37 years and a board member of The Complementary Medicine Assoc. of Australia. He has published books on Naturopathic Oncology, Darkfield Hematology and a compendium of his published peer review articles. His passion is evidence based research in Naturopathy.

Dr. Joanna Harnett, PhD, MHSc, BHSc, University of Sydney (Australia)

Dr. Joanna Harnett is a Senior Lecturer (Complementary Medicines) at the University of Sydney
Faculty of Medicine and Health. She holds a PhD (Nutritional Pharmacology), Bachelor of Health
Science (Complementary Medicine – Naturopathy), Master Health Science (Complementary
medicine), Graduate Diploma in Clinical Nutrition, and a Grad Cert Educational Studies (Higher
Education). Her research focuses on the quality use of complementary medicines, and clinical studies
in gastrointestinal health through an integrative physiology lens. She is current board member of the
International Society for Complementary, Traditional and Integrative Medicine Research and serves
on the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration Advisory Committee Complementary
Medicines.

Cécile Konn, PhD, Naturopath-Heilpraktiker, OMNES (France)

Cécile Konn holds a Master of Science (Polymer chemistry) and a PhD (Geochemistry). She worked as a research fellow in marine sciences for 10 years. She has a naturopathic medicine practice in Saint Jean en Royans, France. She is the co-funder of an organisation recognised as serving the public good which aims at giving access to complementary and alternative medicine for anyone whatever one’s standards of living. She is a member of the French organisation of professional naturopaths (OMNES), where she serves as a coordinator of the research committee which aims at developing the scientific approach among the French naturopath community and developing naturopathic research in France.

Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu, LLB, MBA, Ph.D-Nat, Th.D, Ph.D-(A.M), Nyarkotey University College of Holistic Medicine & Technology (Ghana)

Professor Raphael Nyarkotey Obu is a notable Ghanaian academic and professor specializing in naturopathic and holistic health, author, prolific writer, Chartered Management Consultant, Health Economist, law and development researcher, and a product of the Gambia Law School, Banjul, where he studied for the Barrister at Law and Solicitor’s course in 2023. MBA from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Bachelor of Laws from the University of Cape Coast, and PhD Naturopathy and Healthcare-Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica. Member of the Standards and Ethics Committee of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council, Ministry of Health, Ghana. He has published widely on the legislative regulatory framework of naturopathic medicine in Ghana and the Gambia. He led a team to develop Ghana’s first National Occupational Standards in Naturopathy and Holistic Health Sciences at the HND and Bachelor’s level under the Commission for TVET.

Dr. Daniella Remy, ND, OAND (Canada)

Dr. Daniella Remy, ND is a naturopathic doctor and researcher based in Toronto with over two decades of experience. She holds multiple degrees, including a Master of Science in Family Relations and Naturopathic Medicine from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. Dr. Remy serves as a Board Director with the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND) and is the Vice President of Research and Science for Shae.ai, a leading digital health platform. She is passionate about integrating natural medicine with modern technology to promote holistic health.

Lillian Wong, Naturopath, FNM (Denmark)

Lillian Wong studied Business, Languages and Culture (BA) at Copenhagen Business School and graduated 1994. She is an examined acupuncturist with diploma in acupuncture of Nordic College of Chinese Medicine graduating in 2002 as well as diploma in traditional Chinese herbal medicine, including Materia Medica, the classical prescriptions and Chinese internal medicine 2008 and various post-studies equiv. 2,500 education hours and recognized in Denmark a registered alternative therapist (RAB). As a TCM practitioner and entrepreneur with a focus on health and engagement, she is also engaged in Qi Gong and Taiji mindfulness practices. Together with naturopathic Doctor, Rick Sorensen Scott she is the co-founder of the Association of Danish Naturopaths in 2024.

Benedicte Jerebzoff, Naturopath
UNB (Belgium)

Skye Macfarlane, Herbalist, Naturopath
NMHNZ (New Zealand)

Claudine Van De Venter, Epidemiologist, ND
SANA (South Africa)