A MIDSUMMER TCM JOURNEY
Speakers Biographies
Dr. John McDonald PhD (Australia)
Dr. John McDonald has dedicated his career to advancing acupuncture through clinical practice, teaching, and scientific research. He holds a PhD from Griffith University, where his groundbreaking research focused on the effects of acupuncture on mucosal immunity in the upper respiratory tract.
His contributions to acupuncture education have been immense, including his work as an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at Griffith University and as Vice President for Research at the Acupuncture Now Foundation.
Beyond academia, Dr. McDonald has co-authored influential books such as Zang Fu Syndromes: Differential Diagnosis and Treatment and Acupuncture Point Dynamics, and he continues to shape the field through his ongoing research and publications.
Dr. James Flowers PhD (Korea)
Dr. James Flowers is a distinguished historian of medicine in East Asia and a Chinese medicine practitioner. He is a Research Fellow in the "Brain Pool Program" at Kyung Hee University of Korean Medicine in South Korea, focusing on the history of traditional medicine, particularly in Korea. He earned his PhD in the History of Medicine from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and has an extensive background in international studies and Chinese medicine.
His research explores the development of traditional Korean medicine, its role in East Asian history, and its continued relevance today. Dr. Flowers has published widely in academic journals such as Asian Medicine: Tradition and Modernity, Social History of Medicine, and Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Previously, he served as the President of the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (2000–2009) and taught Chinese medicine at the University of Western Sydney and the Sydney Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine. With years of both academic and clinical experience, Dr. Flowers brings invaluable insights into the historical and contemporary landscape of traditional East Asian medicine.
Dr. Volker Scheid PhD (UK/Germany/Spain)
Dr. Volker Scheid is a leading scholar, clinician, and educator in East Asian medicine with nearly 40 years of experience. Raised in rural Germany in a family of medicinal herb cultivators, he trained in phytotherapy and Chinese medicine in England before completing postgraduate studies at Beijing and Shanghai Universities of Chinese Medicine. He later pursued academic research at Cambridge, SOAS, and the University of Westminster, where he was Professor of East Asian Medicines and Director of EAST medicine.
Dr. Scheid has published over 30 peer-reviewed papers and authored influential books, including Chinese Medicine in Contemporary China and Currents of Tradition in Chinese Medicine, 1624-2000. He also co-authored Formulas & Strategies, 2nd edition. His work bridges history, anthropology, and clinical practice, with a focus on integrating diverse medical traditions. Committed to both research and practice, he teaches a "meta-practice" approach, helping students develop adaptable, well-rounded skills. Through his work, Dr. Scheid continues to shape the understanding and application of East Asian medicine in the modern world.
Dr. David Hartmann (acupuncture) (Australia)
Dr. David Hartmann began his studies in Chinese medicine straight out of secondary school, earning a Diploma in Applied Science (Chinese Medicine) from the Australian College of Natural Medicine in Brisbane in 1997 at just 23 years old. He established his own acupuncture clinic and has been treating patients ever since, with a strong focus on mental and emotional health. His dedication to this field has led him to extensive research and a commitment to prioritizing mental health in his clinical practice.
Dr. Hartmann’s journey has also involved exploring archetype systems, philosophical perspectives, and unconventional Chinese medicine concepts. These discoveries have shaped his unique approach, which he now shares with the international Chinese medicine community through online workshops, live seminars, and conference presentations.