Dr Mani Naiker is an Associate Professor of Chemistry in the School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences at CQUniversity Australia. His research focuses on the chemistry and functional properties of natural products, with particular emphasis on bioactive compounds in foods, agricultural systems and traditional plant resources. His work integrates analytical chemistry, metabolomics and food science to better understand how processing, provenance and cultivation influence the nutritional and functional value of plant-based products.

Dr Naiker completed his Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) at the University of Western Sydney before undertaking a PhD at Charles Sturt University in collaboration with the Australian Wine Research Institute, where his research focused on flavour chemistry and natural product analysis.

Following his doctoral studies, he joined the University of the South Pacific in Fiji, where he taught chemistry and supported the delivery of science programs across the Pacific region. During this period, he travelled extensively through several Pacific Island nations including the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Samoa and Kiribati, contributing to the development and management of science laboratories supporting distance and flexible learning programs.

In addition to his academic career, Dr Naiker has extensive experience working in commercial analytical laboratories, gaining practical expertise in applied chemistry, quality assurance and industry-facing research.

Before joining CQUniversity, he held academic positions at Federation University Australia and the Australian Catholic University (Brisbane). At CQUniversity he leads research focused on bioactive compounds and functional foods, including collaborative work with First Nations partners investigating native Australian plants such as Pittosporum angustifolium (Gumbi Gumbi). His work spans phytochemical profiling, bioactivity evaluation and the development of value-added food and health products derived from natural resources.

Dr Naiker is actively involved in supervising higher degree research students, developing industry collaborations and integrating research with teaching in food science, chemistry and agricultural systems.

Doctor of Philosophy - Charles Sturt University , Australia

Bachelor of Applied Science (Honors, Applied Chemistry) - University of Western Sydney , Australia

Bachelor of Applied Science (Biological and Chemical Technologies) - University of Western Sydney, Australia

Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching - University of the South Pacific, Fiji

Lecturer (Science) - Australian Catholic University, School of Science, Banyo Campus, QLD, Australia

Lecturer (Chemistry) - Federation University Australia, School of Applied and Biomedical Sciences, Ballarat, VIC, Australia

Lecturer (Chemistry) - University of the South Pacific, Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment, Laucala Campus, Suva, Fiji

Centre Lecturer (Science) - University of the South Pacific, Tonga Campus, Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Lecturer (Medical and Clinical Biochemistry) - Fiji National University, School of Medicine, Department of Health Sciences, Suva, Fiji

Furthermore, over the course of my academic career I have received several awards and honours which is detailed as follows:

• Vice Chancellor (VC) Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning, Federation University Australia, 2016

• Overseas postgraduate research studentship for a four-year PhD fellowship, Charles Sturt University, 1993

• Co-operative Research Centre for Viticulture (CRCV) postgraduate research scholarship/operating funds for a four-year Ph.D. fellowship, Charles Sturt University, 1993

• Subsidized overseas student scholarship for a four-year undergraduate (including honours) study at University of Western Sydney (Hawkesbury), Australian Government - Department of Education Employment and Training, 1989

• Scholarship for one-year foundation science study at the University of the South Pacific, Fiji Government, 1988