Associate Professor Cristan Herbert
PhD (Pathology), University of New South Wales
Graduate Certificate in University Learning and Teaching, UNSW Sydney
Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Honours), University of Wollongong
I am an Education Focussed Associate Professor in the School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health, at UNSW Sydney. My work spans educational leadership, curriculum development, teaching, educational scholarship, and medicine student selection and admissions.
I am Head of Teaching in the Department of Pathology, where I lead the design, delivery, quality assurance, and continuous improvement of undergraduate teaching across Science, Medical Science, Exercise Physiology, and Medicine programs. I convene and teach in large multidisciplinary Pathology courses, with a focus on curriculum alignment, assessment design, student engagement, and the effective use of digital and blended learning approaches.
At the Faculty level, I am the Lead for Medicine Student Selection and Admissions at UNSW, with responsibility for selection into the Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine program. This role includes leadership of evidence-informed selection processes, admissions governance, equity initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and cross-institutional collaboration. I chair the Medicine and Health Admissions and Re-enrolment Committee and represent UNSW on the UCAT Australia and New Zealand Test Management Committee.
My educational scholarship focuses on blended learning, digital learning technologies, formative assessment and feedback, student wellbeing and success, and evidence-informed approaches to medical student selection. This work has been disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and national education conferences.
My contributions to education have been recognised through Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy and multiple UNSW teaching awards, including UNSW Awards for Teaching Excellence in 2018 and 2023.
- Publications
- Media
- Grants
- Awards
- Research Activities
- Engagement
- Teaching and Supervision
2024 – Tedla N, Herbert C, et al. Development of novel treatment options for post-sepsis acute lung injury (ALI). NHMRC Australia.
2018 – Herbert C, Thomas PS. Evaluating microRNA expression by nasal epithelial cells to predict outcomes of patients with COPD. SPHERE.
2014 – Foster PS, ..., Herbert C. Airway epithelial injury and the innate lymphoid cell response in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma. NHMRC Australia.
2009 – Herbert C. Th17 cell cytokines in airway wall remodelling in chronic asthma. NHMRC Australia.
2025 – Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Advance HE
2023 – UNSW Award for Teaching Excellence, UNSW Sydney
2018 – UNSW Award for Teaching Excellence (Design and Development of Programs), UNSW Sydney
2017 – Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning Award, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney
2015 – New Teacher of the Year, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney
Mechanisms and treatment of inflammation in acute and chronic lung disease
Evaluation of immersive online environments in undergraduate medical science education
Factors promoting student success and wellbeing
Evidence-informed approaches to widening participation and medicine student selection
My Research Supervision
Prakruti Sirigeri (PhD student): Novel therapies for the treatment of acute lung injury
My Teaching
I am Head of Teaching in the Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical Sciences, and contribute to undergraduate Pathology teaching across Medicine, Science, Medical Science, and related programs. My teaching focuses on disease mechanisms, inflammation, cancer pathology, environmental and respiratory disease, and broader social factors that influence health.
I convene and teach in large undergraduate courses, with an emphasis on clear curriculum structure, active learning, assessment design, student engagement, and the effective use of digital and blended learning approaches.
Current course convenor roles:
- Society & Health (MFAC1527)
- Processes in Disease (PATH2201)
- Cancer Pathology (PATH3206)