LIVE ON ZOOM 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. PT | 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. ET
Presenters: Julia Arnold, Shraddha Ravani, Lisa Conboy
PACE CREDITS: 2
Suggested Pre-requisite: SIA – Annual Legal Update, Monday, November 3, 2025
Join NAMA for an intensive three-part series led by the Research Committee, designed to bridge Ayurveda's rich clinical data with the formats recognized by the scientific community. This series is specifically tailored for Ayurvedic practitioners who are clinicians, not researchers, providing them with the necessary tools to navigate the world of research literacy
Webinar series overview:
This three-part webinar series provides:
● Foundational training in research literacy for Ayurvedic professionals and students.
● Tools to document clinical practice using standardized formats.
● Guidance on ethical and credible data collection aligned with global research standards.
● An introduction to building collaborative research networks and contributing to the evidence base for Ayurveda.
Disclaimer (applied to all three webinars):
This session is open to all individuals interested in understanding the fundamentals of awareness of the scientific process and its application within Ayurveda. The content is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Participants are responsible for understanding the scope and limitations of their Ayurvedic practice in accordance with federal, state, and regional regulations.
Key Learning Objectives: A strong evidence base and standardized clinical documentation are essential to advancing Ayurveda’s evidence base.
Session Logistics:
Format: Three 90-minute virtual sessions held via Zoom.
Dates: October 13, November 10, and December 8, 2026.
Benefits: Free for NAMA members and eligible for Professional Ayurvedic Continuing Education (PACE) credits for both live attendees and those who watch the recordings later.
Presentation format:
4:00 – 4:05 PM PT / 7:00 – 7:05 PM ET
● Welcome & Workshop Overview
● Brief welcome and objectives
● Why evidence matters for the future of Ayurveda in integrative medicine
Presenters: Julia Arnold and Shraddha Ravani
4:05 – 4:15 PM PT / 7:05 – 7:15 PM ET
Topic: The Need for a Stronger Evidence Base: Moving Ayurveda Forward into a More Widely Accepted Integrative Medicine Model
Presenter: Shraddha Ravani/Julia Arnold-15min
4:15 – 4:30 PM PT / 7:15 – 7:30 PM ET
Topic: Understanding Evidence Through Multiple Research Approaches: Case Study vs. Clinical Trial vs. Small-Sample Study
Presenter: Lisa Conboy-15min
4:30 – 4:45 PM PT / 7:30 – 7:45 PM ET
Topic: Research Ethics, Institutional Protocols, and Compliance (IRB/HIPAA)
Presenter: Lisa Conboy-15min
4:45 – 5:00 PM PT / 7:45 – 8:00 PM ET
Topic: The Historical Evolution of Case Reports and Case Studies as Sources of Evidence
Presenter: Lisa Conboy-15min
5:00 – 5:15 PM PT / 8:00 – 8:15 PM ET
Topic: The Importance of Standardized Case Study Documentation for Reproducibility and Clinical Validation
Presenter: Julia Arnold-15min
5:15 – 5:30 PM PT / 8:15 – 8:30 PM ET
Topic: Questions & Discussion
Presenter(s): All Presenters
● Q & A
Meet the Research Committee Leaders
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Dr. Julia Arnold brings over 40 years of experience in cancer research to her work in Ayurvedic medicine. She earned her PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed postdoctoral training at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr. Arnold spent more than 20 years at the National Institutes of Health, holding positions at the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and serving as a Program Director at the National Cancer Institute. She later earned a master’s degree in Ayurveda from Maharishi International University (MIU).
Dr. Arnold currently serves as a member of the NAMA Board of Directors and as Co-chair of the NAMA Research Committee.
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Dr. Shraddha Ravani is a researcher specializing in cancer biology, tumor microenvironment, and the role of radiation in oncological processes. She holds a PhD is Physiology and Health, a master’s degree in medical technology, a master’s degree in Ayurveda and a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology. Her current work emphasizes whole-system, person-centered approaches aimed at improving clinical outcomes and overall patient wellbeing.
Dr. Ravani has co-authored peer-reviewed publications and has presented her research at national and international scientific conferences.
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Dr. Kelly Schalk grew up as a professional athlete, skiing for the U.S. and Rossignol. She holds a Ph.D. in science education, with an interdisciplinary emphasis in exercise science, molecular biology, genomics, and genetics. She first encountered Ayurveda while working as a molecular biologist in 2000, and later studied formally in the U.S. and India. After retiring from Nordic skiing, she turned to Ayurveda to address health issues related to excessive exercise. An educator and practitioner of Nath-based Hatha Yoga, Dr. Schalk works across diverse communities and devotes much of her time to end-of-life care and service.
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Lisa Conboy, MA, MS, ScD, has conducted health research and taught research methodology to students of sociology, biomedicine, and complementary medicine for over 30 years. With degrees in public health and sociology, she specializes in the study of traditional and complex health systems. She has published in the areas of women’s health, complementary and alternative medicine (including Ayurveda, yoga, and acupuncture), and qualitative research.
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Neeta Verma completed her Ayurvedic Doctor Level training under Dr. Vasant Lad at the Ayurvedic Institute. She holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering from MIT and Stanford. She spent 25 years in the corporate world, primarily in engineering and medical devices, serving in executive and leadership roles. In 2022, she founded Ayurvedologie, an Ayurvedic health and wellness practice where she provides clinical services. Neeta integrates classical Ayurveda with its sister sciences, including yoga, marma, aromatherapy, and mantra, to promote holistic health and well-being. She is an RYT-200 with Yoga Alliance and has completed a 500-hour yoga teacher training specializing in AyurY