Alan Bensoussan

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Emeritus Professor Alan Bensoussan is one of Australia’s prominent integrative medicine researchers. Professor Bensoussan has had major impact on Government policies through his work on numerous Ministerial Committees, including as Chair of the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Advisory Committee for Complementary Medicines (2011-14) and as a member of the Australian National Medicines Policy Committee (2008-11). He currently serves as a Ministerial appointment to the Natural Therapies Review Expert Advisory Panel examining evidence in support of health insurance rebates. Professor Bensoussan was also commissioned by Government to review the practice of Chinese medicine in Australia leading to the introduction of national regulation of Chinese medicine practitioners in Australia in 2012 – the first western nation to do so.

Professor Bensoussan has published over 210 scientific papers, two books and several book chapters. He has been a lead investigator on numerous high quality clinical trials and reviews of herbal medicine. In 2007 he established Australia’s National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM) at Western Sydney University, seed funded with the bilateral support of the Australian Commonwealth and State Governments. NICM Health Research Institute is now one of the world’s most recognised integrative medicine research institutes undertaking preclinical, clinical and research translation activities.

In 2013 Professor Bensoussan received the prestigious International Award for Contribution to Chinese Medicine by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology. In 2014 Professor Bensoussan was awarded the Lady Cilento Award by the peak Australian industry association recognising an individual’s lifetime achievements and contributions to the community. In 2019 Professor Bensoussan, together with key colleagues from the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, received the Achievement Award in Medical Science by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology. In 2019 Professor Bensoussan was also awarded the International Qi Huang Award for his research in Chinese medicine by the Chinese Association of Chinese Medicine. Professor Bensoussan was recently appointed Emeritus Professor in recognition of his service to the community and University.

Research focus

• Clinical trials and evidence-based practice
• Traditional Chinese medicine
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Complementary and integrative medicine usage

Awards and recognitions

• 2021 accorded the title of Emeritus Professor at Western Sydney University.
• 2014 Lady Cilento Award for lifetime achievement and outstanding contributions to the complementary medicines industry and community.
• 2013 International Award for Contribution to Chinese Medicine, World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies.
• 1999 Prize for best conference paper, WHO International Symposium on Traditional Chinese Medicine, Macao, September 18-20.
• 1997 Early Career Research Award, University of Western Sydney.
• 1991 'Gold Medal' and Distinguished Service Award on the basis of the publication of The Vital Meridian. Presented by an international collective of professional associations, Kuala Lumpur.

Projects and grants

Emeritus Professor Bensoussan's research has been supported by numerous external funding agencies including federal and state governments, NHMRC, local and international sources such as US NCCAM and UK NHS, industry, and professional associations.

See a list of past and current projects.(opens in a new window)

Education

• 2001 PhD, The University of Sydney, Australia
• 1992 MSc by research, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia
• 1985 AdvCAc, Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Australia
• 1982 DipAc, Acupuncture Colleges Australia
• 1980 PG DipEd, The University of Sydney, Australia
• 1979 BSc, The University of Sydney, Australia

Publications

For a full listing of publications please see:

• WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY (opens in a new window)
• ORCID (opens in a new window)
• GOOGLE SCHOLAR (opens in a new window)
• THE CONVERSATION  (opens in a new window)