Dr. Simon Jackson is a prominent pharmacognosist dedicated to advancing the science of pharmacognosy and natural product research. With a Ph.D. in Pharmacy specializing in Pharmacognosy from King's College London, UK, Dr. Jackson has embarked on a prolific career spanning academia, industry, and entrepreneurship.

Education and Career

Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Jackson pursued postdoctoral research at esteemed institutions including the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, UK, and Glaxo Smithkline UK. These experiences provided him with invaluable insights into botanical research and pharmaceutical development.

In 2008, Dr. Jackson founded 'Dr. Jackson's' product brand, where he served as CEO and Director until 2015. During his tenure, the brand became synonymous with high-quality botanical products, reflecting Dr. Jackson's expertise in pharmacognosy and commitment to natural health and wellness.

In 2016, Dr. Jackson co-founded Modern Botany, a pioneering company focused on harnessing the power of botanicals for health and wellness. As Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), he played a pivotal role in guiding the company's research and product development efforts until July 2022.

Additionally, Dr. Jackson is a Director and Co-founder of NPC Ltd., a consultancy firm specializing in natural product consulting. Through NPC Ltd., he continues to provide strategic guidance and expertise in the development and commercialization of natural products.

In 2024 Dr Jackson joined the Davines group in Parma, Italy to head up the Botanical research Department

Contributions to Pharmacognosy

Dr. Jackson is passionate about preserving and advancing the knowledge of pharmacognosy and natural products. He actively promotes awareness of these sciences through traditional and digital media, aiming to make them accessible to a broad audience. In the current era, often referred to as the Golden Age of natural products, Dr. Jackson strives to educate and inclusively engage with anyone interested in botanical medicine and pharmacognosy.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Jackson's contributions to natural products and innovation have been widely recognized. His brands have received numerous awards, including multiple accolades from prestigious organizations such as the Beauty Shortlist Awards, CEW, and Women's Health UK. These awards underscore Dr. Jackson's commitment to excellence and innovation in the natural products industry.

2022 Winner Beauty Shortlist Awards, 6 awards: Best Skincare brand, Best Multi-purpose product,

Best Deodorant Spray, Best Cleansing Balm, Best Desert Island Product and Editors choice award for recovery cream.

2021 Winner CEW best new natural company and best new product in the prestige sector (Modern Botany)

2019 Winner of the Image award for most innovative company (Modern Botany)

2019 Womens Health UK Winner Best Natural Deodorant Product (Modern Botany)

2019 Finalist for ‘Natural Skincare Brand of the year’ and ‘New Skincare Brand of the year’ by Destination Deluxe, (Hong Kong) (Modern Botany)

2018 Stella Telegraph UK, Finalist Best Body Miracle for Natural Deodorant (Modern Botany)

2018 August Tatler Winner Best Beauty Award for Natural Deodorant (Modern Botany)

2017 Image Magazine Ireland, Winner Best Body Product for Universal Oil (Modern Botany)

2015 Nominated for Best new natural Spa product award from Asia Spa (Hong Kong) (Dr Jacksons)

2014 Best new multi-use product Style magazine UK (Dr Jacksons)

Interviews and Press Features

Dr. Jackson has been featured in various media outlets, numerous press articles have been published promoting his brands and initiatives.

Work Interests

Dr. Jackson's professional interests encompass natural product consulting, exploration of phytochemical properties, and advocacy for traditional medicine from diverse cultural traditions. He is passionate about improving health and beauty through the use of natural products while advocating for environmental conservation and sustainability.

Publications

S J Jackson (January 2016) Baobab – The tree of Life an ethnopharmacological review. Herbalgram The Journal of the American Botanical Council Number 108 p42-p53

S J Jackson (July 2012) Sausage tree (Kigelia pinnata): An Ethnobotanical and Scientific Review. Herbalgram – The Journal of the American Botanical Council Number 94 p48-p59

S.J.Jackson, P.J.Houghton, S. Retsas, A. Photiou. (March 2000) In Vitro Cytotoxicity of Norviburtinal and Isopinnatal from Kigelia pinnata against Cancer cell lines. Planta Medica v66 (2000) p 758-761

Jackson, S.J. Houghton P, J., Photiou, A., Retsas S (1996) The isolation of a novel antineoplastic compound from a bioassay guided fractionation of stem bark and fruit extracts of Kigelia pinnata (Bignoniaceae) Mar-Apr 96. British Journal of Cancer Vol 73 N0170 p68

Jackson S J. Enlisting Tree Sausage in the War on Cancer, (August 1995) National Geographic Vol 188, No2.

Jackson, S.J. Houghton, P.J., Photiou, A., Retsas, S. Effects of fruit extracts and naphthoquinone’s isolated from Kigelia pinnata on melanoma cell lines. Presentation at the 36th Ann Meeting of the BACR, 2-5th April 1995 Nottingham. British Journal of Cancer Vol. 71, Suppl 24, 62. Abstract P153.

S.J.Jackson, P.J.Houghton, A.Photiou, S.Retsas (1994) Kigelia pinnata as a potential source of oncolytic agents. from the 1st Pharmacy from the rainforest conference, Iquitos, Peru

Retsas, S. Photiou, A., & Jackson, S.J. Pharmaceuticals from Plants. The Lancet, Vol.344, NO 8917. 23rd July 1994

Houghton, P.J., Photiou, A., Uddin, S., Shah, P., Browning, M., S.J Jackson. & Retsas, S. Activity of extracts of Kigelia pinnata against melanoma and renal carcinoma cell lines (1994). Planta Medica. 60. pp430-433

Professional Affiliations

Dr. Jackson is a member of the American Botanic Council (ABC) and the European Society for Plant Medicine (GA) and the American society of Pharmacognosy (ASP)

References

1. www.drsimonjackson.com
2. www.naturalproductconsulting.com