Phoebe Zhou

LINKEDIN (opens in a new window)

PhD, MHM, BPharma

Senior Research Fellow and International Engagement Coordinator

Dr Phoebe Zhou is a Senior Research Fellow at the National Institute of Complementary Medicines, Western Sydney University, specialising in the pharmacological research of natural and integrative medicines. She holds a Pharmacy degree from China Pharmaceutical University, a Master of Herbal Medicine (Honours) from the University of Sydney, and a PhD from Western Sydney University (2017). Her research focuses on understanding bioactive compound interactions (e.g., synergy and antagonism) using cellular, AI-based models and zebrafish to address chronic diseases. She has an h-index of 27 with over 2,700 citations, has led research projects exceeding $1 million as chief investigator, and supervises over 10 HDR students. Her research excellence has been recognised with numerous awards from research organisations, industry, and traditional medicine communities.

Research focus

• Pharmacological activity of natural products
• Synergistic mechanisms
• Drug-herb interaction
• Acute and systemic inflammation
• Neuroinflammation and neuroprotection

Awards and recognitions

• 2025 Guest Professor, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
• 2024, NICM Research Partnership Award
• 2023 ISCMR Scientific Article Prize for the best article in the filed of Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine in 2020 to 2021
• 2023 Inaugural Western Ventures Award, 2023 WSU Research Impact Competition
• 2023 NSW Cardiovascular Research Network (CVRN) Professional Development Award, NSW CVRN
• 2022 Young Achiever of the Year Award, Complementary Medicines Australia
• 2022 Industry Fellowship, Western Sydney University & Soho Flordis International
• 2021 Research Support Program Fellowship, Western Sydney University
• 2021 ECR Researcher Development Awards, Western Sydney University
• 2019 Improving Cardiovascular Outcome Network Early Career Researchers Program Award Recipient
• 2014 Best Publication Award, NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University
• 2015 Best Publication Award, NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University
• 2013-2016 International Postgraduate Research Scholarships, Western Sydney University
• 2007 3rd Class Scholarship, Chinese Pharmaceutical University

Projects and grants

Dr Zhou's research has been supported by numerous external funding agencies including federal and state governments, local and international industry, and professional associations. Over the last five years she has attracted successful internal and external research grants with totalling value over 1 million.

See a full list of past and current projects.

Education

• 2017 PhD, Western Sydney University, Australia
• 2011 Masters of Herbal Medicines (Honours), The University of Sydney, Australia
• 2009 Bachelor of Pharmacy, Chinese Pharmaceutical University, China

Publications

For a full list of publications please see:

• WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY PROFILE (opens in a new window)
• ORCID (opens in a new window)
• GOOGLE SCHOLAR (opens in a new window)
• RESEARCHGATE (opens in a new window)