Rima is a teaching and research academic at Curtin University (WA) with fundamental research across a broad range of areas spanning laboratory, practice, and teaching. Rima is from a marginalised CALD background and has family members of varied faiths and neuro diversities. Rima is passionate about tearing down barriers and enabling everyone to achieve to their potential. Thus, she hopes to promote true inclusivity by challenging restrictive criteria that may exclude or place individuals in silos.

Danial completed his PhD in Pharmacology from The University of Queensland (UQ). His research interests are developing medicines with less debilitating side effects, in particular opioids. He is an associate lecturer in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, teaching in the Master’s in Pharmaceutical Industry Practice (MPIP) program, where he teaches courses such as preclinical drug development, pharmaceutical innovation and entrepreneurship.

Danial is part of the ASCEPT Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee. Hailing from a multicultural country, he intends to foster an environment of inclusivity and ensure the voices of members are heard. He is fluent in multiple languages, including English, Malay and Mandarin.

Marina is a mid-career academic from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background and a primary carer for an adult with a disability. She earned her PhD in Molecular Pharmacology from Macquarie University, Sydney. Passionate about teaching, Marina strives to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students. She is eager to contribute to initiatives that mitigate biases and foster equitable opportunities.

Professor Holford obtained his medical qualifications (MBChB, MRCP) in the United Kingdom.

In 1983 he moved to Auckland, New Zealand to join the University of Auckland in the Dept of Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacology. Until 1989 he had a part time appointment as a Specialist in Internal Medicine at Auckland Hospital. During this period he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. He retired from the University of Auckland as Professor Emeritus of Clinical Pharmacology at the end of 2021.

His interests are in applying pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to clinical pharmacology and developing tools to aid dose individualisation (www.nextdose.org).

He will be 80 years old in 2026 which may give him some insights into age diversity.

Dr Rahini Ragavan is a Lecturer (Teaching Focussed) in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, La Trobe University. Her PhD was in the Department of Pharmacology, Monash University and her focus was on investigating the cardiovascular effects of animal venom. She has over 10 years of experience delivering workshops, tutorials and wet practicals to undergraduate science, allied health and biomedical science students. Recently she has been involved in curriculum development for third year pharmacology subjects. She is also involved in and passionate about SoTL and her research focuses on improving student engagement and evaluating different modalities of teaching. Her passion is inspiring the next generation of STEM students to continue their education in research and STEM related careers. She is interested in collaborating with other academics in education research, more specifically how to retain long term student engagement and involvement in STEM courses.

Arlene began her career in clinical medicine and has since developed a cross-sector portfolio spanning clinical, research, education, government, policy & regulatory, project management, stakeholder engagement, risk assessment & management, and the disability sector (including advocacy). As the Managing Director and Lead Consultant of Professional and Recreational Ability and Inclusion Strategic Enhancement Solutions (PRAISES), where she designs and implements inclusive, evidence-based strategies across government, education, individual and organisational settings.

Her work focuses on universal design, capability-based approaches, and strengthening participation and outcomes in complex systems. She has lived experience across neurodiversity, sensory, learning, and physical disabilities, and brings a practical, implementation-focused perspective to inclusive practice. Her Chinese-Australian heritage further informs her culturally responsive approach.

Arlene has a longstanding interest in pharmacology, particularly pharmacogenomics, education innovation, translation of evidence into practice, technology and artificial intelligence (AI) integration, sustainability, and workforce optimisation. She is committed to contributing strategic, collaborative, and outcome-focused approaches to equity, diversity, and inclusion within ASCEPT and beyond.

Sheila Doggrell joined ASCEPT in 1978. She has presented at many scientific meetings of ASCEPT in NZ and Australia (and organised a few). Sheila is presently a Life Member of ASCEPT. She was awarded a DSc from Southampton, England) for her research in experimental pharmacology in 1997. She has received both the IUPHAR Education Section Teaching Excellence award and the ASCEPT Teaching Excellence award. In retirement, Sheila has an Adjunct position at Griffith University. She continues with scholarly writing (mostly opinions on recent clinical trials) and education research.