Associate Professor Connie Locher

Associate Professor Connie Locher holds a PhD in Natural Product/Heterocyclic Chemistry from the Northern Territory University (now Charles Darwin University) and graduated from the University of Tübingen, one of Germany’s 11 elite universities.

Her main research interests include the phytochemical analysis of medicinal honeys, the isolation and identification of bioactive compounds, particularly from traditional Aboriginal and Asian medicinal plants, and, more recently, paediatric formulations. Outside the pharmaceutical sciences field, Dr Locher is interested in complementary and alternative medicines and the notion of medical wellness and its potential in the development of healthy communities. Her PhD research was on the synthesis of small heterocyclic compounds such as isoquinoline derivatives using benzotriazole methodologies.

Prior to joining UWA in 2010, Dr Locher was Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at Curtin University’s School of Pharmacy, where she was responsible for the teaching of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy/Complementary Medicines. She also taught at the Northern Territory University and worked as a pharmacist in a community pharmacy in Germany.

Funding:

• Various research projects on Western Australian honeys funded by the CRC for Honey Bee Products and AgriFutures Australia.
• Grant-funded research on paediatric formulations in collaboration with Princess Margaret Hospital for Children.