Kelly Ablard EOT, RA, MSc, PhD
Chemical ecology | Canada

Kelly holds a PhD in Chemical Ecology, an MSc in Primate Conservation, a BSc in Zoology, and is a certified and registered essential oil therapist. Her research interests are in olfactory systems, chemical communication across species, and clinical uses of aromatherapy in humans and animals. She is passionate about her research, finding sustainable essential oil sources, improving the well-being of captive animals with essential oils, and teaching the public about essential-oil bearing plants and their relationship with the animal kingdom. She sits on the Board of the British Columbia Association of Practicing Aromatherapists, is a research analyst, an aromatherapy practitioner, teacher and consultant.

Tamara Agnew, PhD, BA
Population health and research design | Australia

Tamara Agnew holds a PhD from the University of South Australia following her study on the effect of essential oils and aromatherapy on the physical and psychosocial symptoms of acne vulgaris. She is a lecturer at the University where she teaches research methods, Global National Health and First People’s Health, and she is a Research Associate at Flinders University in the Digital Health Research Centre. Tamara has developed expertise in conducting systematic reviews, clinical trials and psychometric evaluations. Tamara holds a first class honours degree from Edinburgh Napier University where she studied Complementary Healthcare (Aromatherapy). Tamara has published in multiple scientific journals and has contributed to an aromatherapy textbook, authored by Jennifer Peace Rhind. She has also reviewed articles for several journals. She is passionate about aromatherapy, integrative health care, ageing, and she has a particular interest in building the evidence base in these fields.

E. Joy Bowles, PhD, BSc
Essential oil chemistry | Australia

Joy wrote the first course in essential oil chemistry in Australia in 1991, and her book “The Chemistry of Aromatherapeutic Oils” was published in 2003. It is used as a course text for many aromatherapy courses around the world. For her PhD, awarded in 2007, Joy investigated how essential oils might affect cognitive function in dementia. After several years on a diabetes management project in primary health care, she has returned to essential oil chemistry, creating training packages to disseminate the evidence-based therapeutic effects of essential oils. Helping people understand the chemistry and pharmacology of essential oils is one of her life’s passions.

Christine Carson PhD
Microbiology, essential oil research | Australia

Christine has a PhD in Microbiology and has been investigating the biological effects of natural products, including Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) essential oil, for over 20 years. She has published over 50 papers in the field and is interested in the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and other potentially useful medicinal properties of natural products, particularly plant-derived compounds, as well as the safety and toxicity associated with their use. Christine has a broader interest in other natural products and their potential use in human health. She is a Research Associate at the University of Western Australia and the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.

Robert L Dowdell BSc
Cosmetic chemistry | USA

Robert is a cosmetic chemist with an extensive resume in the cosmetics and toiletry industry in Europe and North America at senior level, much of it involving development of natural based cosmetics. He has considerable international experience developing manufacturing units from Australia to Canada for The Body Shop International. His expertise includes research and development, quality control, manufacturing, production, marketing and good manufacturing practice. Robert is a member of the International Committee of the Personal Care Products Council, the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Great Britain, and the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (USA). He was selected as “One of 20 to Know in 2009” by Global Cosmetic Industry magazine.

Linda H Halcon PhD, MPH, RN
Nursing, aromatherapy | USA

Linda is Associate Professor Emerita, School of Nursing, and faculty member of the Center for Spirituality and Healing at the University of Minnesota. She has conducted research to test tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) for healing wounds infected with Staphylococcus aureus. She has published a number of aromatherapy chapters in nursing and medical texts as well as an online module and articles in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Halcon teaches Fundamentals of Aromatherapy (CSPH 5503) at the University of Minnesota and provides aromatherapy consultation to health care institutions.

Cindy Jones BSc, MSc, PhD
Cosmetic formulation and safety | USA

Cindy is a biochemist and cosmetic formulator/scientist specializing in natural products. On her Colorado farm she grows and distills herbs for hydrosols and other extracts. She is a founding member of the United States Lavender Growers Association and is an Expert on the Personal Care Truth website. Through her cosmetic consulting business, Sagescript Institute, she helps other cosmetics businesses. She also has her own line of skin care products, Colorado Aromatics. Previously, Cindy has worked in cancer research, and has taught college classes in anatomy/physiology, microbiology and other science topics. She has authored and edited several books including The Antibiotic Alternative.

Kandace Knudson, PhD, MPH
Educational program supervision | USA

Kandace is an educator and consultant, specializing in online learning, professional development, and communicating scientific information to stakeholders and policy makers. She has a PhD in Education, Masters’ degrees in Public Health, English, and Liberal Arts, and a Bachelor’s degree in English with a focus on mass media and communication. Kandace studies the discourse of essential oils marketing as it relates to public health and helps companies seeking to more effectively reach their audiences. She is a certified health coach through the American Council of Exercise and uses essential oils as part of a holistic approach to wellness.

Rodney Young BSc, PhD
Pharmacognosy, medicinal chemistry | UK

Originally trained as a chemist, Rodney obtained a BSc from the University of London in 1965 and a PhD in medicinal chemistry from the University of Essex in 1968. He worked for many years in the pharmaceutical industry as a research chemist, focusing on modulators of histamine, serotonin and inositol phosphates. Rodney has published widely in the scientific literature, and has taught at University College, London, Oxford Brookes University, Edinburgh Napier University, and the University of East London. He has a longstanding interest in the medicinal properties of plant natural products, and serves on the editorial boards of professional journals promoting evidence-based botanical medicine. Rodney is also co-author of Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Edition