Hyla Cass, MD
Dr. Cass is a nationally acclaimed innovator and expert in the fields of integrative medicine and psychiatry. She’s known as the drug-free psychiatrist for helping individuals overcome anxiety, depression, and more, using targeted natural supplements. As a frequent media expert on national print, radio, and television outlets, Dr. Cass educates and speaks to both medical audiences and the public. She is also the author of several popular books, including Supplement Your Prescription, Natural Highs, 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health, The Addicted Brain and How to Break Free, and Your Amazing Itty Bitty Guide to Cannabis. Her website is https://www.cassmd.com.
Presentation: Vital Role of Amino Acids for Mental Health
Jillian Stansbury, ND
Dr. Jillian Stansbury is a naturopathic physician who practiced in Washington state for over 35 years, specializing in chronic disease, hormonal imbalances, and mental and neuro-health. She also served as the Chair of the Botanical Medicine program at the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, OR, and created the university's first Ethnobotany curriculum, including a field course in the Andes and Amazon of Peru where she has studied plant medicines with several indigenous tribes for 20 years. She has written a 5 volume textbook series, Herbal Formularies for Healthcare Professionals, which is used in multiple academic programs around North America and received an award from the American Botanical Council. She is also the recipient of the Order of the University for her contribution to the botanical program and the students, the Vis Award from the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians for her contributions to the profession, and is the recipient of this year's 2026 Freddie Kronenburg Award from the American Botanical Council for her contribution to research and education in Women's Health. Dr Stansbury recently retired and is spending time fixing up a farmstead, which, of course, involves lots of plants and gardening.
Presentation: Clinician's Guide to Mental Health: Nutraceutical Approaches to Neurotransmitter Modulation
Olive Egbuchulem, B.Pharm
Olive Egbuchulem, B.Pharm, is a pharmacist and researcher from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, with interests in the intersection of traditional medicinal plants and modern evidence-based healthcare. She also has a strong interest in computational approaches to drug discovery, particularly the use of computational tools to explore bioactive compounds and their potential therapeutic targets. She is a co-recipient of a €12,000 innovation grant awarded by 3E4Africa in 2024, supporting projects that promote scientific innovation and development across Africa.
Presentation: Griffonia simplicifolia: Clinical and Pharmacological Perspectives on 5-HTP in Mood, Sleep, and Fatigue
Charles Nnadi, PhD
Professor Charles O. Nnadi is a distinguished pharmacist, researcher, and academic with over 15 years of dedication to the pharmaceutical sciences. He holds a Chair in the Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and serves as Head of the International Centre for Ethnomedicine and Drug Development (InterCEDD), Nigeria.
Prof. Nnadi's academic journey began at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he earned a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm., with Distinction) in 2008 and a Master of Pharmacy (M. Pharm., with Distinction) in 2012. He went on to complete his doctoral studies at Westfälische Wilhelms Universität (WWU) Münster, Germany, receiving a Doctor rer. Nat. (PhD equivalent, Magna cum laude) in 2018 for research recognized as an innovative contribution to pharmaceutical biology and phytochemistry. His international contributions have been recognized through several prestigious honors, including the Sybille Hahne Stiftung Award (2016) and research grants from Horizon 2020 EU COST Action CM 1307 and Volkswagen Stiftung at the University of Glasgow.
Prof. Nnadi's research sits at the intersection of ethnopharmacology, natural product drug discovery, and computational pharmacology. His work focuses on the pharmacological validation of indigenous medicinal plants to isolate novel bioactive compounds with antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. His interdisciplinary approach has positioned him as a leading voice in the development of innovative therapeutic solutions for malaria and other infectious diseases affecting underserved populations.
Presentation: Mucuna pruriens and Other African Neuroactive Botanicals: Pharmacological Perspectives on Dopaminergic and Serotonergic Plants
Thomas Brendler, PhD
Dr. Thomas Brendler is a scientist and consultant with over 30 years of experience in the field of natural product development, registration, and licensing, for medicine, food, and cosmetics. He is an expert in botanical research, product innovation, regulatory affairs, and sourcing of raw materials. He has contributed to the development and implementation of quality standards, herbal pharmacopoeias, and scientific publications for several organizations and agencies, including the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Centre for Development of Enterprise, and the International Trade Centre.
He is a co-founder and former director of the Association of African Medicinal Plants Standards, a non-profit organization that promotes quality standards for African plants. He holds a PhD in Botany from the University of Johannesburg and has published more than 60 papers and books on topics related to ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, phytotherapy, and natural product regulation. Dr. Brendler is a member of the editorial boards of several journals, and a board member of the International Society for Ethnopharmacology and of the American Botanical Council.
In 2023, he co-founded the Southern African Botanical Products Association (SABPA). In 2024, he was appointed Adjunct Assistant Professor at the School of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, and Adjunct Fellow of the National Center for Naturopathic Medicine, Southern Cross University, East Lismore, Australia. In 2025, he was elected a member of the Council of Experts and Chair of the USP Botanical Dietary Supplements & Herbal Medicines Expert Committee for the 2025-2030 cycle.
Presentation: Kanna: Ethnobotany, Pharmacology, and Clinical Considerations in Anxiety, Fatigue, and Depression
Jaquel Patterson, ND
Dr. Jaquel Patterson is a nationally recognized leader in naturopathic and functional medicine. She has trained thousands of physicians worldwide in integrative medicine, is a sought-after speaker, a three-time Amazon bestselling author, and a Forbes contributor. She is the founder and owner of Fairfield Family Health, a successful multidisciplinary medical practice based in Connecticut that serves patients throughout the country. She has over 16 years of clinical experience specializing in integrative psychiatry, Lyme disease, autoimmune conditions, complex chronic illness, and environmental medicine. Dr. Patterson currently serves as President of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) and as Treasurer of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM). She was the former Medical Director of Education with Psychiatry Defined, and currently serves as faculty for HMF Education. She also serves on several scientific and medical advisory boards. She is certified in functional medicine by the Institute for Functional Medicine and completed a fellowship in functional medicine for psychiatry with Psychiatry Redefined. In addition to her naturopathic medical degree, she completed her MBA in Healthcare Management from Quinnipiac University and her Bachelor's of Science from Cornell University.
Presentation: A Clinical Framework for Integrative Mental Health: Protocols for Neurotransmitter Optimization