Chi Ndi

Research Interests

Natural products and bioactive compounds Natural Products Chemistry Organic Chemistry

Dr Chi Ndi

Research Fellow, Natural Products Chemistry

School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science

College of Health

I’m Dr Chi Ndi, a Research Fellow in the Quality Use of Medicines & Pharmacy Research Centre and a natural product chemist. My work centres on the incredible potential hidden inside Australia’s native plants. If you’ve ever wondered how traditional knowledge and modern science come together to create new health solutions, that’s the space I work in every day.
I focus on plants used traditionally as medicines and foods, studying their chemistry and testing their activity to uncover compounds that could lead to new treatments. Much of my research looks at how these plants can support areas like antimicrobial resistance, skin health, and diabetes—pressing challenges that need natural, effective answers.
Right now, our team is exploring the health benefits of several well-known and lesser-known native species. We use bioassay-guided methods to pinpoint the compounds responsible for their therapeutic effects, helping turn these discoveries into real-world products.
My goal is simple: to bridge cultural knowledge, scientific innovation, and practical health outcomes. By studying Australia’s botanical resources, I hope to contribute to safer medicines, better products, and a deeper understanding of the plants that have supported communities for thousands of years. Currently we are working with Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation investigating some of their medicinal plants through two Australian Research Council (ARC)-Linkage Projects

I am interested in chemistry of natural products.,Antimicrobial activity of Australian Medicinal Plants.,Isolation and structural elucidation of bioactive compounds from plants.

Date Position Institution name
2024 - 2027 Research Fellow University of South Australia

Language Competency
English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review

Date Institution name Country Title
2004 - 2008 University of South Australia Australia Ph.D Pharmacy
2001 - 2003 University of Leiden Netherlands M.Sc. Biology
1993 - 1997 University of Buea Cameroon B.Sc. Chemistry

Year Citation
2024 Liang, C., Ndi, C., Semple, S. J., Buirchell, B., Coriani, S., Moller, B. L., & Staerk, D. (2024). Eremane, viscidane and isozizaene diterpenoids from the leaves of Eremophila rigida and their absolute configurations. Phytochemistry, 219(113972), 1-16.
DOI
2023 Liang, C., Ndi, C., Kjaerulff, L., Semple, S., Buirchell, B., Coriani, S., . . . Staerk, D. (2023). Characterization of serrulatane diterpenoids in eremophila phyllopoda subsp. phyllopoda by triple high-resolution α-Glucosidase/PTP1B/radical scavenging profiling, NMR spectroscopy, DFT-GIAO NMR, and electronic circular dichroism calculations. Journal of Natural Products, 86(4), 694-709.
DOI
2023 Liang, C., Zang, J., Ndi, C., Semple, S. J., Buirchell, B., Coriani, S., . . . Staerk, D. (2023). Identification of new PTP1B-inhibiting decipiene diterpenoid esters from eremophila clarkei by high-resolution PTP1B inhibition profiling, enzyme kinetics analysis, and molecular docking. Bioorganic Chemistry, 139(106744), 1-15.
DOI
2022 Petersen, M. J., Liang, C., Kjaerulff, L., Ndi, C., Semple, S., Buirchell, B., . . . Staerk, D. (2022). Serrulatane diterpenoids from the leaves of Eremophila glabra and their potential as antihyperglycemic drug leads. Phytochemistry, 196(113072), 1-11.
DOI
2022 Bredahl, E. K., Kjaerulff, L., Ndi, C., Semple, S., Buirchell, B., Moller, B. L., & Staerk, D. (2022). Isolation and structure elucidation of caryophyllane sesquiterpenoids from leaves of Eremophila spathulata. Phytochemistry Letters, 47, 156-163.
DOI
2022 Semple, S. J., Staerk, D., Buirchell, B. J., Fowler, R. M., Gericke, O., Kjaerulff, L., . . . Moller, B. L. (2022). Biodiscoveries within the Australian plant genus Eremophila based on international and interdisciplinary collaboration: results and perspectives on outstanding ethical dilemmas. Plant Journal, 111(4), 936-953.
DOI
2022 Rasmussen, L. F., Anton, J., Kjaerulff, L., Zhao, Y., Semple, S. J., Chi, N., . . . Staerk, D. (2022). Serrulatane diterpenoids with unusual side chain modifications from root bark of Eremophila longifolia. Phytochemistry, 203(113408), 1-14.
DOI
2021 Gericke, O., Fowler, R. M., Heskes, A. M., Bayly, M. J., Semple, S. J., Ndi, C. P., . . . Møller, B. L. (2021). Navigating through chemical space and evolutionary time across the Australian continent in plant genus Eremophila. The Plant Journal, 108(2), 555-578.
DOI
2020 Hans, A. P., Ndi, C., Semple, S. J., Buirchell, B., Moller, B. L., & Staerk, D. (2020). PTP1B-inhibiting branched-chain fatty acid dimers from eremophila oppositifolia subsp. angustifolia Identified by high-resolution PTP1B inhibition profiling and HPLC-PDA-HRMS-SPE-NMR analysis. Journal of Natural Products, 83(5), 1598-1610.
DOI
2020 Kjaerulff, L., Jensen, A. B. J., Ndi, C., Semple, S., Moller, B. L., & Staerk, D. (2020). Isolation, structure elucidation and PTP1B inhibitory activity of serrulatane diterpenoids from the roots of Myoporum insulare. Phytochemistry Letters, 39, 49-56.
DOI
2019 Biva, I. J., Ndi, C. P., Semple, S. J., & Griesser, H. J. (2019). Antibacterial performance of terpenoids from the Australian plant Eremophila lucida. Antibiotics, 8(2, article no. 63), 1-8.
DOI
2018 Jæger, D., Simpson, B., Ndi, C., Jäger, A., Crocoll, C., Møller, B., . . . Semple, S. (2018). Biological activity and LC-MS/MS profiling of extracts from the Australian medicinal plant Acacia ligulata (Fabaceae). Natural Product Research, 32(5), 576-581.
DOI Scopus8 WoS6 Europe PMC2
2017 Jæger, D., Ndi, C., Crocoll, C., Simpson, B., Khakimov, B., Guzman-Genuino, R., . . . Semple, S. (2017). Isolation and Structural Characterization of Echinocystic Acid Triterpenoid Saponins from the Australian Medicinal and Food Plant Acacia ligulata. Journal of Natural Products, 80(10), 2692-2698.
DOI Scopus18 WoS17 Europe PMC12
2016 Biva, I. J., Ndi, C. P., Griesser, H., & Semple, S. (2016). Antibacterial constituents of eremophila alternifolia: an Australian aboriginal traditional medicinal plant. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 182, 1-9.
DOI
2015 Ndi, C. P., Sykes, M. J., Claudie, D. J., McKinnon, R. A., Semple, S. J., & Simpson, B. S. (2015). Antiproliferative aporphine alkaloids from Litsea glutinosa and ethnopharmacological relevance to Kuuku I'yu traditional medicine. Australian journal of chemistry, 69(2), 145-151.
DOI
2015 Mon, H., Christo, S., Ndi, C., Jasieniak, M., Rickard, H., Hayball, J., . . . Semple, S. (2015). Serrulatane Diterpenoid from Eremophila neglecta Exhibits Bacterial Biofilm Dispersion and Inhibits Release of Pro-inflammatory Cytokines from Activated Macrophages. Journal of Natural Products, 78(12), 3031-3040.
DOI Scopus22 WoS22 Europe PMC18
2012 Ndi, C. P., Semple, S. J., & Griesser, H. J. (2012). Instability of antibacterial serrulatane compounds from the Australian plant species Eremophila duttonii. Australian journal of chemistry, 65(1), 20-27.
DOI
2012 Anakok, O., Ndi, C., Barton, M., Griesser, H., & Semple, S. (2012). Antibacterial spectrum and cytotoxic activities of serrulatane compounds from the Australian medicinal plant Eremophila neglecta. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 112(1), 197-204.
DOI WoS35 Europe PMC17
2011 Griesser, H. J., Vasilev, K., Ys, H., Ndi, C., Griesser, S. S., Jasieniak, M., . . . Semple, S. (2011). Protecting polymer surfaces against bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. European cells and materials, 21(S2), 14.
2010 Griesser, H. J., Vasilev, K., Ndi, C., Ys, H., Griesser, S., & Semple, S. (2010). Strategies for combating infection at biomedical device surfaces. Wound repair and regeneration, 18(4), A74.
DOI
2010 Vasilev, K., Sah, V., Anselme, K., Ndi, C., Mateescu, M., Dollmann, B., . . . Griesser, H. J. (2010). Tunable antibacterial coatings that support mammalian cell growth. Nano letters, 10(1), 202-207.
DOI
2010 Vasilev, K., Sah, V. R., Goreham, R. V., Ndi, C., Short, R. D., & Griesser, H. J. (2010). Antibacterial surfaces by adsorptive binding of polyvinyl-sulphonate-stabilized silver nanoparticles. Nanotechnology, 21(21), 215102.
DOI WoS72 Europe PMC33
2008 Griesser, H. J., Ys, H., Ndi, C. P., Britcher, L. G., Vasilev, K. A., Jasieniak, M., . . . Semple, S. J. (2008). Combating infections at biomedical implants and devices by antibacterial coatings. Chemistry in Australia, 75(11), 5-8.
2007 Ndi, C., Semple, S., Griesser, H., Pyke, S., & Barton, M. (2007). Antimicrobial compounds from Eremophila serrulata. Phytochemistry, 68(21), 2684-2690.
DOI Scopus52 WoS48 Europe PMC21
2007 Ndi, C., Semple, S., Griesser, H., Pyke, S., & Barton, M. (2007). Antimicrobial compounds from the Australian desert plant Eremophila neglecta. Journal of Natural Products, 70(9), 1439-1443.
DOI Scopus51 WoS44 Europe PMC26
2007 Ndi, C. P., Semple, S. J., Griesser, H. J., & Barton, M. D. (2007). Antimicrobial activity of some Australian plant species from the genus Eremophila. Journal of basic microbiology.
DOI

Year Citation
2009 Griesser, H. J., Ndi, C. P., Semple, S. J., & Ys, H. (2009). WO2009094707, Antimicrobial surfaces.

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