Nick Vardaxis, PhD

Director of Education

Dr Vardaxis holds a PhD in Pathology from the University of Melbourne which was awarded in 1988. He has held a number of senior academic posts since then in many tertiary institutions, including the University of Melbourne, Phillip Institute of Technology and RMIT University. His career includes activities in basic biomedical science research and associations with research organisations abroad and in Australia. He is an associate researcher at the Macfarlane Burnett Centre for Medical Research and also at the Austin Research Institute. Dr Vardaxis is also dedicated to teaching, being responsible for a number of innovations in teaching since the start of his career. This passion for teaching was recognised in 1997 when he was awarded the Australian Government's inaugural Australian University Teaching Award in the field of health. Dr Vardaxis has taught at each of the tertiary schools noted above as well as the Southern School of Natural Therapies and the Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Australia. He is also an author having published several undergraduate textbooks and is currently one of three editors-in-chief of Mosby's Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing and Health Professions recently published.

Dr Mavourneen Casey, PhD

Head of School -- Holistic Medicine

Dr Casey is very qualified and experienced witha Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours in Education) and a Master of Education (Adult Education Psychology) from Sydney University. She has completed her PhD in Clinical Epidemiology from the School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Newcastle. Dr Casey also holds an Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy, Diplomas of Botanical Medicine, Nutrition, Remedial Massage and a Certificate in Ayurvedic Medicine, complemented by clinical expertise and experience in various tertiary education institutions in NSW. 
 
 

Isaac Golden, PhD

Business Manager -- Academic Operations

Dr Isaac Golden has been a homeopathic practitioner since 1984 and teaching homeopathy since 1988. He was Faculty Head of Homeopathy from 1995 to 2004. He established the Australasian College of Hahnemannian Homoeopathy in 1990 and now Head of School, Holistic Medicine at Endeavour College of Natural Health. In March 1999 was awarded the Australian Homoeopathic Association's Distinguished Service Award for his "many years of service to the Australian Homeopathic Association and for his significant contributions to the homeopathic profession in Australia". He is a world authority on the use of homeopathic medicine to prevent infectious diseases. He has authored 10 books and numerous articles on homeopathy. He was the first person to be awarded a PhD in homeopathy from a mainstream Australian university. 
 
 

Heather Morrison, PhD

AUQA Projects Manager

Dr Morrison holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Anatomy from the University of Aberdeen and a PhD in Developmental Anatomy from the University of Wales (UK), College of Cardiff. Dr Morrison worked for many years as a medical postdoctoral researcher in connective and muscle tissue research specifically looking at the development articular cartilage to aid in determining the processes that occur in the development of the disease osteoarthritis. She was the prolific author of many research papers published in internationally acclaimed journals. During her studies in the UK Heather started her interest in teaching through being an Anatomy tutor to medical and dental students. She joined the academic team in 1999 and became the Head of Faculty for Bioscience in 2004 and now Head of School, Bioscience and Health Science. She works closely with the Head of School Holistic Medicine to support all academic staff at the College, plan teaching strategies for the suture and is also responsible for developing curriculum and maintaining high teaching standards for all health and social science units across the range of our courses. She has contributed as an author to the Foundations of Massage text edited by Endeavour staff members and published by Elsevier. While not a practitioner of natural medicine, she is a strong advocate and supporter of natural medicine as incorporated into a healthy way of life. Her ambition is to encourage and support academic staff in developing and teaching the best natural medicine courses that are internationally recognised. 
 

Susan Russell has a wealth of experience in academic management and leadership, as well as teaching, evaluation, marketing; academic development and curriculum. Her academic positions have been varied and include Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) at James Cook University; Lecturer in Assessment in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Western Australia; Manager, Policy and Strategic Planning , WA Department of Training and Employment; Director, Program Validation and Institutional Review at Caritas Francis HSU College, Hong Kong; Regional Manager of Student Recruitment SE Asia for RMIT University in Hong Kong; Manager, Research Curriculum & Development Unit, School of Business, RMIT University, various lecturing and tutoring positions at several universities, and secondary teaching posts. Susan has been employed as an evaluation consultant by the HK Police Department, the NT Departments of Health, Education and Police, and has also trained in these departments. Susan is currently completing her PhD in Education. She has a Certificate in teaching, a Bachelor of Education from JCU and Canberra CAE, Masters in Business qualifying course and Masters in Business (Admin) by research both from Charles Darwin University and a Certificate in TESL from the British Council of Kong Hong. 
 

Natalie Daniel, Grad Dip GIM

Program Leader -- Social Science (Acting)

Natalie holds a Post Graduate Diploma in GIM (Music Psychotherapy), Diploma of Health Science in Holistic Counselling Practice, Diploma in Business (Marketing), Cert IV Training & Assessment, and Cert II in Community Services (Alcohol and other Drug Work). She is currently completing her Masters of Counselling and Graduate Certificate of Higher Education. Natalie brings vast practical experience to the role of Acting Program Leader in the Department of Social Sciences. Years of professional counselling in both agencies and the private sector provide Natalie with the practical experience required to pioneer new courses and develop appropriate curriculum for the department into the future. Natalie is a Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA ) delegate, and council member for her professional member association (MIAA), as well as a member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).
 

Alastair Gray heads up the homeopathy department nationally at Endeavour College of Natural Health. Alastair has lectured undergraduate homeopathy in New Zealand for the Bay of Plenty College of Homeopathy and in Australia at the Sydney College of Homeopathic Medicine now both part of the Endeavour family. For 15 years Alastair Gray has run a general natural medicine practice in the inner west and east of Sydney and in Auckland. Clinical practice remains a significant feature of his work with a focus in the treatment of anxiety, depression, addiction and men’s health. He is a regularly presents at seminars in Kuala Lumpur for the Homeopathic Academy Council of Malaysia, and lectures around the world. Trained in the UK at the School of Homeopathy he completed his postgraduate work at the Dynamis School in London. He has an undergraduate degree in history and a fascination with medical and homeopathic history. He has completed his Masters in Science from the University of Central Lancashire in the UK. He has published four books and articles on a variety of provings. He runs and teaches the Fusion Sessions, a post graduate program in natural medicine offered in New Zealand, Australia and online. 
 

Spero has been a practising Naturopath for over 20 years, working in the US as well as Australia and currently registered as a Naturopathic Physician in Washington DC. He has been a lecturer for the past 15 years in a number of subjects within the Naturopathy field such as herbal medicine, botany and iridology as well as teaching research methods and public health. He holds a Masters in Public Health from Deakin University, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Health Promotion and his main area of interest has been how different cultures use and drink water. He is currently undertaking his PhD with Southern Cross University investigating water use in the Mediterranean diet. Spero is the President of the Australian Naturopathic Practitioners Association and has been on the association's executive committee for the past 10 years. He is co-author of Therapeutic Reference Manual of Complementary Medicines and has published in both professional journals and mainstream media and currently maintains a website providing detailed complementary medicine product information for health professionals and students in health care. 
 

Dr Bird completed his undergraduate training in Chemistry and his PhD in Cell Biology at Otago University. Research profile focuses on cell modeling and the processes underlying tissue regeneration and the biocompatibility of artificially regenerated or reconditioned tissues particularly serosal membranes. International research was conducted on stem cell and heart cell biology at the Hubrecht Institute in The Netherlands. Stephen has contributed to science writing in several roles and as editor of publications whilst abroad. Project and consulting roles have included academic, not-for-profit and government sector assignments including, the development of research initiatives, strategy and research project planning. Stephen is Program Leader for the Department of Bioscience at Endeavour College, is Subject Coordinator for Critical Research Skills and Pharmacology and teaches Chemistry and Biochemistry. 
 

David has over 25 years experience as a natural health practitioner in the areas of remedial massage, naturopathy and Western herbal medicine. He has been involved in natural medicine education, as a lecturer, clinic practicum supervisor and curriculum developer since 1988.Throughout his career David has contributed to and authored numerous professional journals and books on natural health and has presented at professional conferences both nationally and internationally. Starting with the College in 1994 he was the inaugural Principal of the Melbourne campus and was also instrumental in establishing the Perth campus. David has been an Executive Director of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society since 1991 and was an Industry Reference Group member for the development and review of the 2002 and 2007 National Health Training Packages for Complementary and Alternative Health. A regular commentator on matters relating to natural health on Channel 7 News (Adelaide), for the past 3 years he has also presented a weekly naturopathy segment on ABC Radio. 
 

Mita Parmar, MSc (Gen Coun), Grad Cert Education, BHMS

Unit Leader -- Endeavour Flexible Learning

Mita completed her Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine Surgery and a Doctorate of Alternative Medicine in India. Mita came to Australia in 1994 and with her expertise in the area of homeopathy she soon became a successful practitioner. In 1995 Mita joined the Endeavour College academic team where she held the position of Department Head for both Health Science and Homeopathy. Her passion is for research and has recently been involved in a clinical trial on Diabetes Mellitus and a double blind placebo control proving homeopathic remedies. Mita successfully completed her Graduate Certificate in Education (Higher Education) and during this time her interest and involvement in online learning grew and she is now Head of Endeavour Flexible Learning Unit (EFLU).

Mark Shoring gained his Masters in Acupuncture at University of Western Sydney, Masters of Health Science in Nutritional Medicine and Herbal Medicine from University of New England, and Graduate Certificate Health Science in Human Nutrition from Deakin University and Graduate Certificate (Higher Education) from the University of Queensland. He has his Bachelor of Health Science in Naturopathy, Acupuncture, Musculoskeletal Therapy and has been employed with the College since 2001. Mark continues to enhance his expertise through a clinical practice located in Brisbane. While a general natural medicine practitioner Mark also works with both national and international sporting stars and teams including members of 2004 Australian Olympic Team, Queensland Firebirds Netball Team, Queensland Academy of Sport, Queensland Rugby League State of Origin Team and Touch Football Queensland. Mark continues to be actively involved in the natural medicine profession and Endeavour curriculum development, design and delivery. He has been an executive representative on several professional associations, is a published professional journal writer, continues to deliver high level professional education seminars whilst also continuing his own education through the completion of further academic courses that include the MAppSc (Chinese Herbal Medicine) RMIT.