Rate My Professor Dennis Chang

Professor Dennis Chang serves as Director of the NICM Health Research Institute and Professor of Pharmacology at Western Sydney University. He earned his PhD in Pharmacology in 1998 and Master of Science in Pharmacology in 1993 from the University of Sydney, along with a Bachelor of Medicine in 1986 from Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou, China. Originally trained in medicine, he pursued postgraduate studies in pharmacology. Within Western Sydney University, he has occupied significant leadership positions, including Associate Director International at NICM Health Research Institute, Research Director of the School of Science and Health, and Associate Head of the School of Biomedical and Health Science. Appointed Acting Director of NICM in May 2020, he assumed the full directorship in July 2021, spearheading international collaborations with universities, research institutions, and the pharmaceutical and herbal medicine sectors.

Professor Chang's research centers on clinical and pharmacological investigations of herbal medicines and complementary therapies. He has directed clinical trials assessing the efficacy of herbal remedies, yoga, and tai chi in treating dementia, mild cognitive impairment, coronary heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. His laboratory work examines pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and underlying mechanisms of neuro- and cardio-protective effects through in vitro and in vivo models. Publications appear in high-impact journals including Cochrane Systematic Reviews, Journal of Translational Medicine, Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and British Journal of Pharmacology. Key works encompass 'Synergistic effects of Chinese herbal medicine: a comprehensive review of methodology and current research' (2016) and 'Interactions between antidiabetic drugs and herbs: an overview of mechanisms of action and clinical implications' (2017). He has attracted over $7 million in funding from government bodies, NHMRC, industry, and professional associations. Honors include the Australian Postgraduate Award (1993-1995), Visiting Professor at Guangzhou Medical University, and Coordinator of the South Pacific Chapter of the Consortium for Globalisation of Chinese Medicine. His efforts have bolstered evidence-based practices in complementary medicine.