Associate Professor Helen Ritchie is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney, where she holds the position of Associate Professor within the Education Innovation Research Theme. She earned her PhD and has built a distinguished career focused on developmental toxicology and anatomy education. Ritchie's research investigates the mechanisms underlying drug-induced teratogenicity, emphasizing effects on embryonic heart rate, cardiotoxicity, fetal hypoxia, and ion channel blockade in rat embryo models. Her studies examine prenatal exposures to various agents, including anticonvulsants such as phenytoin, anti-emetics, anti-infectives, cocaine, herbicides like Tordon 75D, and herbal substances including yarrow, valerian, hawthorn, and feverfew. She also explores gene-environment interactions contributing to congenital heart disease, particularly involving the Notch pathway.

Throughout her tenure at the University of Sydney, Ritchie has authored numerous influential publications, many in collaboration with researchers like William S. Webster and P.D. Brown-Woodman. Notable works include 'A review of the contribution of whole embryo culture to the determination of hazard and risk in teratogenicity testing' (2002), 'Fetal brain damage in the rat following prenatal exposure to cocaine' (1991), 'Using the Jigsaw Method to Teach Abdominal Anatomy' (2019), 'Medications and pregnancy: the role of community pharmacists–a descriptive study' (2018), and 'Functional genomics and gene-environment interaction highlight the complexity of congenital heart disease caused by Notch pathway variants' (2020). Her contributions extend to anatomy pedagogy, developing strategies like the jigsaw method, drawing instruction for students with low visuospatial ability, and formative interventions for anatomy vocabulary acquisition. Ritchie analyzes data from the NSW Teratogen Information Service (MotherSafe), documenting exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding, such as anti-infectives and referrals from pharmacists. With over 1,100 citations on Google Scholar, her scholarship impacts teratogen risk assessment, reproductive toxicology, and medical education.

Professional Email: helen.ritchie@sydney.edu.au