Daniel Maxwell
United Kingdom
Danny Maxwell, LicAc, MA, MSc, MBAcC, MRCHM, is a Chinese medicine practitioner, educator, and writer with more than 26 years of clinical experience.
Based in Bath, UK, he has served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Chinese Medicine for nearly two decades and has edited numerous books on Traditional East Asian Medicine. His work combines clinical practice, research, and education, with a particular interest in the historical development of Chinese medicine and its relevance to modern clinical practice.
Australia
David Hartmann started studying for a diploma in applied science (Chinese Medicine) almost straight out of secondary school and graduated from the Australian College of Natural Medicine in Brisbane in 1997 at the age of just 23.
David set-up his own acupuncture clinic and has been treating patients regularly since. He has a special interest in mental and emotional health. This has led him to research the literature extensively, and to prioritise the treatment of mental health in his clinic.
This journey has also resulted in the exploration of different archetype systems, philosophical ideas plus an immersion in some fringe Chinese medicine concepts. This process has led to some incredible discoveries which David Hartmann now shares with the international Chinese medicine community via online workshops (available from almost a dozen different companies), live seminars, and conference presentations.
Peter Torssell
Sweden
Peter Torssell is one of Sweden's most experienced practitioners and educators in Traditional Chinese Medicine, with over 35 years of clinical experience. After receiving his acupuncture diploma in 1988, he continued his training in China, studying acupuncture in Nanjing, herbal medicine and paediatric Tuina in Beijing, and later earning a Bachelor's degree in Chinese Medicine from Jiangxi University of TCM in Nanchang.
He is the founder and principal instructor of Akupunkturakademi in Stockholm, has lectured internationally across Europe and Asia, and has authored books on Chinese dietary therapy and the philosophy of Chinese medicine. Alongside his teaching, Peter has maintained a private practice in Sollentuna, Sweden, since 1988.
Kris Oosting
Netherlands
Kris Oosting brings a rare combination of expertise in computer science, artificial intelligence, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Balance Method Acupuncture. After a 15-year career in software development and professional training, he entered the field of Chinese medicine and has been practicing acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine since 2003. Since 2007, Kris has been a faculty member at Academy Qing-Bai in the Netherlands, where he served for 15 years as principal lecturer in Chinese Herbal Medicine. He now teaches a comprehensive 8-course Balance Method Acupuncture program. He is the author of three books on Balance Method Acupuncture, sold in 38 countries, with a fourth book scheduled for publication in autumn 2026.
In 2022, Kris founded Balance Method Mastery, an international education platform for Balance Method Acupuncture. Through live trainings, online courses, coaching groups, books, and a global membership community, he has supported more than 1,200 practitioners worldwide.
Kris is known for transforming complex theory into simple, logical, and powerful clinical application. His teaching focuses on clear treatment strategy, instant feedback, clinical confidence, and reliable results in daily practice. His work combines classical Chinese medicine, extensive clinical experience, structured education, transformational coaching, and a forward-looking understanding of AI in TCM.
Committed to excellence in education and professional standards, Kris completed teacher training at the Free University of Amsterdam and served for ten years as vice chair of the Dutch NEN-ISO standards committee for TCM.
Christine van Toor
The Netherlands
Christine van Toor-Zaalberg is a TCM practitioner and educator with more than 20 years of clinical experience. Her clinical focus is primarily on Pediatrics, with a strong interest in compassionate and integrative care for children and families.
She began her studies at QingBai Academy in 2000, graduating as a Herbalist in 2003 and as an Acupuncturist in 2006. In the same year she completed advanced clinical training at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine under the supervision of Alex Tiberi, specializing in pediatric acupuncture and herbal medicine. Christine has continued extensive postgraduate education in pediatrics, oncology acupuncture, trauma healing and Five Element acupuncture. Her teachers and mentors have included internationally respected practitioners such as Dr Stephen Cowan, Rebecca Avern, CT Holman, Peter Mole, Danny Blyth, Efrem Korngold, Harriet Beinfeld, Moshe Heller and others.
Since 2018 she has been teaching postgraduate pediatric courses at QIngBai Academy. She is also author of two children’s books introducing Acupuncture to young patients and their families
Alex Djukanovic
The Netherlands
After completing his degree in Biomolecular Sciences (MSc), he was struck by the depth of knowledge within modern science. He subsequently worked as a product specialist in medical (imaging) diagnostics, supporting laboratories in hospitals. His experience in science and medical diagnostics deepened his appreciation for the knowledge and possibilities of modern medicine. At the same time, he felt that this knowledge did not fully answer his questions about life itself and the connections between different processes. Through Buddhism, martial arts, and his own experience of healing from hay fever with Chinese medicine, he discovered how powerful and practically applicable Asian philosophies can be. He subsequently studied acupuncture, specializing in pain management and Chinese herbal medicine, and started his own practice in 2012. He completed his training in Chinese herbal medicine in 2017.
His further development in acupuncture led him from channel palpation, and its channel-oriented treatment, to the methods of Dr. Richard Tan and Dr. Tung. He studied the former through Si Yuan and the latter through courses with Dr. Wei-Chieh Young. These approaches significantly deepened his clinical way of working. Driven by his love for the field and his desire to further deepen and share his knowledge, he also became a teacher of Chinese herbal medicine at Qing Bai in 2021. Currently he is studying the Shang Han Lun as part of his continued exploration of Chinese herbal medicine.
Science has always been a particular interest of his. The way science and Chinese medicine are brought together at the DTCM Congress therefore particularly appeals to him. He sees the congress as a valuable initiative and looks forward to sharing knowledge, gaining new insights, and learning from colleagues.
Dr. Saroj Pradhan PhD
Switserland
Dr. Saroj Pradhan (SP) serves as an Associate Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Medical Doctor at TCM MING DAO AG and works as a Senior Research and Project Manager at Swiss TCM Uni. He has extensive experience in both Eastern and Western medicine across academic, research, and clinical settings.
His responsibilities include supervising clinical training, assessing students' practical competencies, and evaluating final clinical examinations. Alongside his educational and research roles, Dr. Pradhan remains actively engaged in clinical practice, combining evidence-informed approaches with traditional Chinese medicine to support high standards in patient care and professional education.
Dr. Taulant Muka phd
Switserland
Dr. Taulant Muka, MD, PhD is Deputy Director of Research at the Swiss TCM University. Trained as a medical doctor, public health specialist, and epidemiologist, he earned his PhD at Erasmus University Rotterdam and has held research and academic positions at the University of Bern, Stanford University, and Novo Nordisk.
Dr. Muka has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications, co-authored three books, and supervised over 60 postgraduate students. His research has been featured by international media including the BBC, CNN, Reuters, and The New York Times, with a focus on evidence-based medicine, prevention, and innovation in healthcare.
Connie Cooper
United Kingdom
Conny Cooper is a Chinese medicine practitioner with over 20 years of clinical experience and a senior student with the Association for Traditional Studies. She teaches regular CPD programmes for acupuncturists, focusing on reframing clinical knowledge through a classical perspective while developing practical hand and needling skills.
From 2020 to 2023, she served as CEO of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (UK), supporting the profession and helping to shape a thriving future for Chinese herbal medicine in the UK. She is the co-founder of the Root and Branch College in London, which offers a three-year, degree-level integrated programme in Acupuncture and Tuina.
Dr. Jong kook Baik PhD
United Kingdom
Dr. Jong Kook Baik, PhD is an internationally recognised lecturer, clinician, and author specialising in Korean Hand Therapy and micro-acupuncture systems. Originally from South Korea and now based in the United Kingdom, he has over 30 years of experience in Traditional East Asian Medicine.
Dr. Baik holds a PhD from Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and has been awarded the titles of Doctor of Acupuncture by the World Federation of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) and Clinical Specialist in Acupuncture. He is the founder of Jong Baik Education, lectures internationally, and combines teaching with clinical practice in the UK.
Dr. Mao Degang
The Netherlands
Dr. Degang Mao is an experienced TCM practitioner with over 30 years of clinical experience. After graduating from the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine in 1994, he practiced at the Qingdao Municipal TCM Hospital until 2014. Since 2015, he has been a Tuina teacher and Acupuncture/Tuina supervisor at Academy Bo Yi.
He is also an Executive Council Member of the WFCMS Specialty Committee of Pestilence (since 2021). Dr. Mao excels in using Tuina therapy for complex cases, specializing in Spleen and Stomach blockages caused by latent pathogens.