About the Webinar

Our understanding of the composition of plant extracts have significantly evolved in the last decade. We are developing systems approaches to the molecular network mapping of the extract metabolome, we refer to as the entourage in commercial cellular extracts.
 
While individual compounds can explain certain mechanisms, the real functional behaviour of botanicals arises from the entourage effect—the interplay of diverse phytochemicals acting together. This webinar explores how networks of polyphenols, terpenoids, organic acids, and minor constituents shape skin-relevant outcomes such as antioxidant defence, photoprotection, inflammation modulation, and barrier support.
 
Using examples from Australian native plants, we’ll examine how “omics” helps reveal these relationships to inform customise or targeted product development outcomes. We emphasis how chemical diversity drives function, why whole-extract integrity matters, chemical interplay and chemical cross-talk are important. We will show why formulating under a molecular lens better informs stability, compatibility, solubility, and sensory impact.
 
Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of botanical synergy and how embracing cellular extract complexity can lead to more robust, evidence-informed cosmetic formulations.

About the Speakers

​​​​​​​Dr Joseph Nastasi is the Lead Research Scientist – Biomaterials and Phytochemistry at NATIVE EXTRACTS Pty Ltd and a Research Fellow – Bushfoods & Native Plants in the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability at The University of Queensland.  With over 5 years of experience researching phyto-compound profiles harnessed in NATIVE EXTRACTS’ Cellular Extracts, his research focuses on the characterisation and commercialisation of Australian native plants for food, nutraceutical, cosmetic and emerging biomaterial applications.

He specialises in using high-resolution mass spectrometry and metabolomics to map networks of secondary metabolites, particularly polyphenols and related phytochemicals, and to link these complex profiles to function. Joseph’s work spans botanical extract profiling, quality and authenticity assessment, and the design of plant-based materials such as pectin films and other biopolymers incorporating native botanical ingredients. A key focus of his current projects is understanding how ensembles of compounds within an extract (the “entourage”) shape antioxidant activity, photoprotection and skin-relevant bioactivity, and how these insights can inform evidence-based cosmetic formulation. He collaborates widely with industry and Indigenous partners across the Australian native plant sector, aiming to translate detailed chemical knowledge into high-value, ethically developed botanical ingredients for global markets.

Lisa Carroll is a recognised natural ingredient change-maker behind the evolution of the Australian beauty and wellness industry, with more than a decade dedicated to advancing botanical extraction, rigorous plant science and green chemistry.
In 2012, Lisa created NATIVE EXTRACTS, then as sole owner in 2016 she positioned the company as a leading Australian phyto-tech business. Under her leadership, NATIVE EXTRACTS has redefined True to Nature plant-based ingredients through proprietary Cellular Extraction protocols—transferring a botanical’s hydrophilic entourage of phyto-compounds into formats that enable brands, formulators, growers and research institutes to further innovate and understand plant functionality.

A pioneering advocate for ethical, inclusive and eco-responsible practices, Lisa has championed Australia’s natural ingredient sector and strengthened the global A-Beauty movement. She has established an extensive growers’ network, working closely with primary producers, including First Nations growers. Lisa is an acknowledged contributor to peer-reviewed scientific publications and a regular guest speaker at industry events, webinars and podcasts. She is also actively engaged by primary producers and Cosmetic brands across the value chain.
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In 2025, she led Australia’s most ambitious upcycled beauty initiative with the launch of Red Velvet Oil™, transforming tomato seed by-product into a high-value active oil and embedding Australian primary industry into the global circular economy.
Her latest initiative is the development of a regenerative R&D farm, cultivating targeted species for future cosmetic and wellness applications.