Professor Alison Heather joined the anti-doping research environment in 2004, with the identification of tetrahydrogestrinone (THG), or “The Clear”, as a potent androgen and therefore, a performance enhancing drug. Over the years since then, she has established an international reputation as an expert in bioassay reserach and development.

Prof. Heather’s bioassays have been used to characterise the androgenic potency of designer steroids and selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) used to dope racehorses.

Very recently, the bioassays were used to detect the presence of androgens in sports supplements sold over the counter in Australia and New Zealand. Alarmingly, these sports supplements did not declare an androgen on their label.

Prof. Heather has a PhD in physiology and a degree in biomedical science.