Postgraduate Research
Future Students
CompleMED is involved in an expanding program of postgraduate studies, offered by coursework or supervised research, and our students create a vibrant core of activity in the centre. Our student projects are listed in Current Student Projects.
CompleMED holds a series of seminars and workshops (Postgraduate Forums) throughout the year. Our external speakers are from organisations that relate to research and specialist interest areas, and our current postgraduate students also present papers on their research to their peers and staff. The Postgraduate Forums are great for networking, providing support for peers and receiving constructive feedback.
For more information on Postgraduate Forums, please contact complemed@uws.edu.au
For more information about the University of Western Sydney’s research student program, admissions and scholarships, please see Future Students.
In addition to scholarship opportunities available for full time research students through UWS, CompleMED has developed several external scholarships for students in collaboration with industry and partners.
Enquiries from industry or potential postgraduate research students are welcome at complemed@uws.edu.au
From time to time scholarships and postdoctoral research positions become available at CompleMED. For more information on current opportunities please see
For more information, please contact the Research Scholarships Development Officer,
Tracy Mills.
Current Students
Current Student Projects
Susan Arentz
Investigation into the role of naturopathic medicine in the management of women with polycysitic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The main aim is to examine the use of Complementary Medicine and Therapy use among women with PCOS, to systematically review the evidence of Western Herbal Medicine and nutritional supplements with the management of PCOS and a clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of naturopathy to improve reproductive outcomes for women with PCOS.
Supervisor: A/Prof Caroline Smith; Co-supervisors: Prof Alan Bensoussan, A/Prof Jason Abbott
Mike Armour
The use and effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea: a mixed methods study. Examining how acupuncture treatment for primary dysmenorrhea is delivered in the community and investigating how changing different components of acupuncture dosage effects pain and dysfunction in primary dysmenorrhea.
Supervisor: A/Prof Caroline Smith; Co-supervisors: A/Prof Hannah Dahlen, Dr Xiaoshu Zhu, Prof Cindy Farquhar
Debra Betts
The role of acupuncture with the management of threatened miscarriage. The study aims to undertake a pilot randomized controlled trial to examine the effect of acupuncture plus supportive care versus an active control group receiving supportive care alone on ongoing pregnancy rates, and maternal and neonatal outcomes. Also, to undertake a qualitative approach to examine the personal and social context of acupuncture and supportive care treatment among women with threatened miscarriage in early pregnancy.
Supervisor: A/Prof Caroline Smith; Co-supervisor: A/Prof Hannah Dahlen
Rebekah Cook
Molecular basis of the effects of Chinese Herbal Medicines
Supervisor: Prof Kelvin Chan; Co-supervisor: Dr Michelle Moffit
Michael de Manincor
Evaluation of Yoga-Based interventions for depression, anxiety and subjective well-being. The aim of this study is to investigate the benefits of a 6-week yoga-based intervention in the reduction of symptoms of depression and anxiety, and associated increases in subjective well-being.
Supervisor: Prof Alan Bensoussan; Co-Supervisor: A/Prof Caroline Smith, Mr Paul Fahey
Mariam Jarouche
A study of the variation in the chemical profile of Qi Ju Huang Wan in the marketplace.
Supervisor: Prof Alan Bensoussan; Co-Supervisor: Dr Cheang Khoo
Nerida Klupp
A randomised placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of Ganoderma lucidum for treatment of hyperglycaemia in persons with metabolic syndrome
Supervisor: A/Prof Dennis Chang; Co-supervisor: Prof Alan Bensoussan, Prof Hosen Kiat
Franklin Lamin
Uptake of secondary metabolites with medicinal properties from Polygonum cuspidatum into yeast cells. The aim of the study is to determine the uptake of trans-resveratrol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells under different growth conditions.
Supervisor: Dr Cheang Khoo; Co-supervisors: Dr Sundar Koyyalamudi, Dr Sam Lee
Kate Levett
Utilisation of complementary medicine techniques to reduce usage of pharmacological pain relief during labour and childbirth. A randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a complementary medicine antenatal education programme (incorporating the 'She Births' and 'Acu Birth' programmes) delivered to women and their birth partners, compared with women receiving standard care alone, to reduce the incidence of epidural use during labour.
Supervisor: A/Prof Caroline Smith; Co-supervisors: Prof Alan Bensoussan, A/Prof Hannah Dahlen
Mitchell Low
Phytoequivalence of standardized Andrographis paniculata extracts: An in-depth study of molecular immunodulator effects. Investigating the anti-inflammatory potential of herbal extracts and components in human and mammalian cell lines. Focussing on enzymatic activity, cytokine release and transcription factor regulation.
Supervisor: Dr Cheang Khoo; Co-supervisor: Prof Gerald Muench
Chris McKeon
Electroacupuncture for chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. The study aims to determine whether electroacupuncture or sham acupuncture gives better control of acute and delayed chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting than standard antiemetic treatment.
Supervisor: A/Prof Caroline Smith; Co-supervisors: Prof Esther Chang, Prof Janet Hardy
Taqdees Mukaddam
Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of calorie-restriction and rapamycin on the chronological lifespan of yeast
Supervisor: A/Prof Dennis Chang; Co-supervisors: Prof Jens Coorssen, Dr Chandra Sekhar Malladi
Jarryd Pearson
Detection and analysis of selected analytes in Curcuma xanthorrhiza. The analytical research project involves method development and validation of Curcuma herbal extracts, using LC-MS and GC-MS during the method development and validation. Recovery studies on the methods will be conducted, as well as precision and stability studies. The validated methods will then be used to conduct studies on the phytochemical variability between selected Curcuma species. The relationship between pharmacological properties and phytochemical composition of the extracts will also be investigated.
Supervisor: Dr Cheang Khoo; Co-supervisor: Prof Alan Bensoussan
Stephen Penman
Development and evaluation of an online comprehensive lifestyle change intervention for common risk factor reduction in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. The research aims to develop and evaluate the potential clinical effectiveness of a web-based multiple health behaviour change intervention, designed to be utilised in the doctor/patient relationship adjunct to standard care, to assist people to make and maintain lifestyle change for risk factor reduction in chronic and lifestyle-related conditions, specifically in type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.
Supervisor: Prof Alan Bensoussan; Co-supervisors: Prof George Jelinek, Prof Helen Christensen
John Truong
Phytochemical analysis of a complex Chinese herbal mixture for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). This study aims to characterise the constituent herbs of the JSK formulation using the optimal method. Develop a LC-PDA, LC-ESI-MS/MS and GC-MS method for the determination of key analytes in the JSK formulation.
Supervisor: Dr Cheang Khoo
Alan (Hung Yiu) Yeung
Yoga on negative affective states, cardiovascular and cognitive function in post- cardiac rehabilitation. This study aims to determine if Yoga is a suitable intervention in reducing psychosocial symptoms, improving cardiovascular function, cognition and quality of life. If Yoga is suitable, it may be incorporated as an adjunctive therapy to existing post-cardiac rehabilitation to further reduce CVD risk and occurrence.
Supervisor: A/Prof Dennis Chang; Co-supervisors: Prof Alan Bensoussan, Dr Birinder Cheema, Prof Hosen Kiat
Alumni
Completed theses
Sue Cochrane
The effect of acupuncture on reproductive health. A three part clinical trial, 1: Building consensus for a fertility acupuncture protocol; 2: randomised controlled trial and 3: patient experience of acupuncture and infertility.
Supervisor: A/Prof Caroline Smith; Co-supervisors: Prof Alan Bensoussan, Dr Alphia Possamai-Inesedy.
James Hennell
Quality control methods for herbal medicine: a multifaceted approach.
Supervisor: Dr Cheang Khoo; Co-supervisors: Prof Nikolaus Sucher, Prof Gerald Muench
Suzanne Grant
The effectiveness of a Chinese herbal formula, Jiangtang Xiaozhi, for the treatment of impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in persons with prediabetes.
Supervisor: A/Prof Dennis Chang; Co-supervisor: Prof Alan Bensoussan
Paul Stevenson
Designing new chromatographic stationary phases using a multifaceted approach incorporating molecular modelling and classical chromatographic measures
Supervisor: Associate Professor Andrew Shalliker; Co-supervisors: Dr Gary Dennis and Dr Narsimha Reddy
Parisa Younessi
The role of protein arginine methylation and glycation in aging
Supervisor: Nikolaus Sucher; Co-supervisors: Carl Parsons, Irena Dedova, Sabine Piller
Samiuela Lee
Analysis of bioactive components of complex herbal mixtures
Supervisor: Cheang Khoo; Co-supervisors: Alan Bensoussan
Kate Pumpa
Complementary and alternative medicine use among elite Australian athletes and the efficacy of selected complementary and alternative medicines in the prevention and treatment of delayed onset muscle soreness and muscle damage in well trained males.
Supervisor: Dr Shona Papalia; Co-supervisors: Professor Alan Bensoussan and Dr Kieran Fallon (Australian Institute of Sport)
Junguang Liu
A randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial to study the therapeutic effectiveness of a Chinese Herbal Medicine formula used for the treatment of Vascular Dementia
Supervisor: Dr Dennis Chang; Co-supervisors: Professor Alan Bensoussan and Professor Daniel Chan (University of New South Wales)
Corinne Patching
Complementary and alternative medicine and the menopausal transition: with special emphasis on Chinese medicine and vasomotor symptoms
Supervisor: Alan Bensoussan; Co-supervisors: Dr Liwan Liyanage and Dr Smita Shah (University of Sydney)
Xiaoshu Zhu
Chinese herbal medicine for primary dysmenorrhoea
Supervisor: Professor Alan Bensoussan; Co-supervisors: Professor Felix Wong and Professor JinYu (Fu Dan University, China)
Shalona Anuj
The extraction, isolation and identification of the chemical biomarkers in a complex formulation for the treatment of endometriosis by LC-MS-MS and other spectroscopic methods.
Supervisor: Dr Cheang Khoo; Co-supervisors: Professor Alan Bensoussan and Dr Sundar Rao Koyyalamudi
Alex Liew
Evaluation of the treatment of endometriosis with Chinese herbal medicine
Supervisor: Professor Alan Bensoussan; Co-supervisors: Dr Marc Keirse (Flinders University)
