Published on the 30th October 2025 by ANSTO Staff
ANSTO staff, environmental chemist Brett Rowling and Dr Debashish Mazumder, Leader of Food Origin research, presented and participated in a panel discussion at the 4th annual Natural Products Futures Forum in Ballina in late October. This event is hosted by Southern Cross University’s National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine and aims to connect global research in Indigenous traditions, health research and policy development from university, industry and government partners.
Brett shared his engaging and original concept of Discovery and Understanding of Country – a holistic journey for the audience to explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, customs and Lore. He also showcased his current research work to merge Indigenous knowledge with modern scientific techniques to provide sustainable solutions for current challenges.
“Outreach is an important part of developing collaborations with those in the natural products industry, traditional bush products, in particular, could benefit,” said Brett.
Deba highlighted how ANSTO’s pioneering technology to authenticate food origin, could significantly enhance traceability and biosecurity. "Our innovative technology, rigorously tested on native bushfood, has the capacity to mitigate fraud and support industry in safeguarding reputation and brand,” he said.
Importantly, his work highlights projects which are Indigenous community-driven with data returned to the respective community to protect cultural and intellectual interests.
Collectively these activities are part of a collaborative research project to demonstrate ‘best research practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’, headed by Dr Alana Gall, Senior Researcher in First Nations Medicine at Southern Cross University entitled in her language Tunapri Ngini, Tunapri Rrala – meaning, Old knowledge, strong knowledge. Or, more succinctly in Brett’s language: manauoomillyan - “taking care of country".
