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Meet the Team

Lisa, an internationally recognized botanical chemistry teacher and clinical herbalist, has over 20 years of experience in functional phytochemistry and is the author of the textbook Herbal Constituents. Heather, a seasoned herbalist, supports Cornell’s Medicinal Plants program and teaches Herbal Constituents courses. Katherine obtained a Bachelor's degree in Herbal Sciences from Bastyr University and is currently the Lead Apprentice at Elderberry’s.  She combines her herbal sciences expertise with experience in apothecaries and interdisciplinary medical offices.

Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge in herbal medicine and functional phytochemistry.

Lisa's Story

Much of Lisa Ganora's childhood was spent roaming the woods on horseback, playing with wild herbs and trees, and studying field guides. Her first chemistry set, received in 1970, ignited a lifelong curiosity to discover the hidden science behind the visible world, making her a high school science enthusiast.

Lisa began her college career with pre-med studies at the University of Vermont (UVM), but her path soon took an adventurous turn toward transatlantic sailing. In the 1980s, she landed in Provincetown, MA, where she discovered herbalism after Dandelion root helped her overcome a chocolate addiction. This unexpected experience revealed her true calling.

Fourteen years later, Lisa graduated from the University of North Carolina at Asheville (UNCA), where her interests in herbalism and science converged into a cohesive exploration of pharmacognosy and botanical sciences. Her role as the founder and director of the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism further solidified her commitment to integrating functional phytochemistry into holistic practices.

Want to know more? Download her CV here:

DOWNLOAD LISA'S CV

Kat's Story

Katherine Martello is the Lead Apprentice & Co-Creator at Elderberry’s, a role that draws from her diverse expertise in the herbal medicine field and her experience working in multiple interdisciplinary medical offices. Her passion for plants and health inspired her to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Herbal Sciences at Bastyr University, where she excelled as a botanical lab steward and medicinal herb gardener, and conducted HPLC research on Cannabis terpenes.

With hands-on experience in herbal apothecaries, she has formulated medicines, compounded naturopathic prescriptions, and integrated FDA compliance. She also worked in botanical analytical labs, writing SOPs, processing botanical samples, and promoting product quality.

Additionally, Katherine is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Nursing Assistant, and skilled in microcurrent and photobiomodulation therapies.

Heather's Story

Heather Irvine is an herbalist, passionate about phytochemistry and the how and why of medicinal plants. She began her studies at the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine in 2003, while also a student at Cornell. A few years later she entered the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism and was in the first group of Clinical Herbalist graduates from the supervised clinical program.

She has had an herbal tincture business, offering around 300 species of plants, and a small clinical practice. She currently supports a Medicinal Plants program at Cornell year-round, and the two semester-long courses Herbal Constituents I & II taught by Lisa Ganora and Kat Martello.

She enjoys life in Ithaca, New York, still travels to a few herb conferences, is Canada interested (a sometimes traveler) and has begun an exciting book draft.

Lisa's Story

Much of Lisa Ganora's childhood was spent roaming the woods on horseback, playing with wild herbs and trees, and studying field guides. Her first chemistry set, received in 1970, ignited a lifelong curiosity to discover the hidden science behind the visible world, making her a high school science enthusiast.

Lisa began her college career with pre-med studies at the University of Vermont (UVM), but her path soon took an adventurous turn toward transatlantic sailing. In the 1980s, she landed in Provincetown, MA, where she discovered herbalism after Dandelion root helped her overcome a chocolate addiction. This unexpected experience revealed her true calling.

Fourteen years later, Lisa graduated from the University of North Carolina at Asheville (UNCA), where her interests in herbalism and science converged into a cohesive exploration of pharmacognosy and botanical sciences. Her role as the founder and director of the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism further solidified her commitment to integrating functional phytochemistry into holistic practices.

Want to know more? Download her CV here:

DOWNLOAD LISA'S CV

Kat's Story

Katherine Martello is the Lead Apprentice & Co-Creator at Elderberry’s, a role that draws from her diverse expertise in the herbal medicine field and her experience working in multiple interdisciplinary medical offices. Her passion for plants and health inspired her to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Herbal Sciences at Bastyr University, where she excelled as a botanical lab steward and medicinal herb gardener, and conducted HPLC research on Cannabis terpenes.

With hands-on experience in herbal apothecaries, she has formulated medicines, compounded naturopathic prescriptions, and integrated FDA compliance. She also worked in botanical analytical labs, writing SOPs, processing botanical samples, and promoting product quality.

Additionally, Katherine is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Nursing Assistant, and skilled in microcurrent and photobiomodulation therapies.

Heather's Story

Heather Irvine is an herbalist, passionate about phytochemistry and the how and why of medicinal plants. She began her studies at the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine in 2003, while also a student at Cornell. A few years later she entered the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism and was in the first group of Clinical Herbalist graduates from the supervised clinical program.

She has had an herbal tincture business, offering around 300 species of plants, and a small clinical practice. She currently supports a Medicinal Plants program at Cornell year-round, and the two semester-long courses Herbal Constituents I & II taught by Lisa Ganora and Kat Martello.

She enjoys life in Ithaca, New York, still travels to a few herb conferences, is Canada interested (a sometimes traveler) and has begun an exciting book draft.

Where it all began...

In 2009, Lisa wrote Herbal Constituents, a book that would become a cornerstone for many budding herbalists. Kat discovered it during her time at Bastyr and was immediately captivated. She even attended one of Lisa’s presentations at the American Herbalist Guild Symposium, deepening her interest in herbal medicine. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kat enrolled in the Comprehensive Herbal Constituents course through Herbal Medics Academy, where she excelled. Lisa took notice of Kat’s talent and passion and soon reached out with an offer to join forces.

Heather, meanwhile, had already made a name for herself at the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism and through her work with Cornell’s Medicinal Plants program. When she enrolled in the Comprehensive Herbal Constituents course in 2022, she quickly stood out as a top student. Lisa saw Heather’s potential and knew she would be a perfect addition to the team. And just like that, the dream team came together!

Are you someone who is...

🌿 Seeking to deepen your understanding of herbal constituents and their role in botanical medicine?

🌿 Interested in bridging the gap between traditional herbalism and contemporary scientific research?

🌿 Looking to enhance your skills in advanced herbal medicine making, formulation, or product quality assessment?

🌿 Eager to join a supportive community of like-minded professionals dedicated to cultivating their knowledge and expertise in functional phytochemistry?

If so, you've come to the right place!

How we can help you:

Rooted in our passion for herbalism and phytochemistry, we offer inspiring online courses and expert guidance to elevate your understanding of the botanical realm. We provide unique insights that illuminate the intricate mechanisms of herbal constituents and their contributions to the actions of medicinal plants.

Enriched by a diverse background and decades of experience, we deliver real-world strategies to take your botanical pharmacy and formulation skills to a whole new level. We are dedicated to equipping you with the tools and expertise needed to harness the transformative potential of functional phytochemistry!

Free Video Presentation with Lisa Ganora

Herbal Constituents: The Big Picture

Introducing the world of phytochemistry for practitioners & botanical medicine makers: how constituents affect solubility & extraction, synergy & variability, and the actions & energetics of herbs.