Chris Marano, Clinical Herbalist, AHG

Education:

* 1977-1981 NY: B.S. Columbia University, NY: Major: Pre-Medicine/Biology; Minor: Eastern Philosophy/Buddhist Studies;
* 1980-present NY: On-going study in Chinese philosophy and Chan (Zen) Buddhism with world-renowned scholar, Dharma teacher and Chan master, Venerable Dr. Chang Sheng-yen at the Institute of Chung-hwa Chinese and Buddhist Culture;
* 1981-present: Ongoing interest, study, and training in Herbal Medicine (Western, Chinese, Cherokee traditions), informally through books and reference texts, also including teachers David Winston, Christopher Hobbs, Amanda McQuade Crawford, Matthew Wood, Deb Soule, Kate Gilday and Don Babineau, William LeSassier; Donald Yance; Have attended numerous herbal conferences, workshops, lectures, retreats;
* 1984-1986 NY: M.A. Columbia Teachers College, NY: Science Education;
* 1989-present NJ/PA: On-going practice and study in Native American (Cherokee) medicine and philosophy with David Winston, Hawk Littlejohn, and the Yunhiya Gunahita Gadugi (community); and Anishnaabe medicine and philosophy with Lillian Pitawanakwat and Leona Jacobs of the Whitefish River First Nation community;
* 1991-1993 NJ: Graduate of Herbal Therapeutics School of Botanic Medicine Two-year Herbal Apprenticeship Program (David Winston, teacher);
* 1994-1995 NJ: Graduate of Herbal Therapeutics School of Botanic Medicine’s Third Year Advanced Clinical Program (David Winston, teacher).

Work and Practice:

* 1981-: Informal herbal practice (1981-1993);
* 1984-1986: Teacher (Secondary School) at St. Joseph’s of the Palisades High School, West New York, N.J.: Algebra I, General Mathematics, Comparative Religion;
* 1987-1995: Teacher (Secondary School) Piscataway High School, N.J.: Biology, Topics and Issues of Science; moderator of nationally-recognized youth environmental activist organization, SCARED; workshop facilitator in science and environmental education at conventions and symposia;
* 1984-1999: Head Editor of Chan Magazine, quarterly magazine devoted to Chinese philosophy, Chan Buddhism, and Zen meditation;
* 1987-1999: Ghostwriter and Co-author of books by Ven. Dr. Chang Sheng-yen: Complete Enlightenment (foreword by Thich Nhat Hanh), There is No Suffering, The Infinite Mirror, The Sword of Wisdom, Zen Wisdom, The Song of the Mind, and Ox Herding at Morgan Bay. Contributing editor to Hoof Print of the Ox, Catching a Feather on a Fan; Dharma Drum; Poetry of Enlightenment;
* 1987-1995: Teacher of meditation and Chan philosophy at Rutgers University, N.J.;
* 1988-present: Contributor of herbal articles to various newsletters and newspapers in NJ and MA (George St. Co-op Newsletter, Wendell Town Crier);
* 1993-present: Formal Clinical herbalist practice and founder of Clearpath Herbals.
* 1996-present: Conscientious wildcrafter for Herbalist and Alchemist;
* 1995-2004: Coordinator of Full Moon Coffee House music series, a volunteer organization that hosts performances for an affordable admission price. Part of proceeds goes to non-profit/grassroots groups (usually environmental, educational, or social change organizations);
* 1996-2004: Co-founder of Friends of Wendell Community Council, a group dedicated to building healthy community relations and out-reach services for people of Wendell, MA (financial support for needy families and individuals, environmental activism, peer mediation, community-based social justice programs; food drives, clothes drives, etc.);
* 1997-1999 Co-teacher and chef for herbal workshops and retreats in Maine and Adirondacks with herbalists/naturalists Kate Gilday and Don Babineau (Woodland Essence);
* 1998-present: Speaker and workshop facilitator on herbalism and alternative health at conferences (Green Nations Gathering, NOFA), libraries (Jones, Forbes, Greenfield), fairs, institutions (Greenfield Senior Center, MIIA), on local TV (The Well Being Show, Soapbox), radio (WHAI, WMUA), University of Massachusetts, Amherst College, Greenfield Community College, Stockton College, UMASS Nursing College, Mercy Hospital (Springfield, MA), various health food stores and holistic health centers, high schools and elementary schools in NJ and MA);
* 1999-present: Professional member of the American Herbalist Guild;
* 1999-present: Professional member of the Author’s Guild;
* 2000-2001: Acting head herb instructor at Blazing Star School of Herbal Medicine (Shelburne Falls, MA) for herbal apprentices, both beginners and advanced practitioners.
* 2001-present: Founder and teacher of Clearpath School of Herbal Medicine.
* 2002-2004: Creator and teacher of Contemporary Greenwitch Herbal Workshop Series in Burlington, VT area
* 2003-2005: home health care/personal care attendant for elderly couple through Comprehensive Health Care, Deerfield, MA.
* 2004: Co-author (with David Winston) of soon-to-be-released book, Talking Leaves: An Indigenous Language of Plants.
* 2004: Presenter (Teaching Staff, Panel Discussion) for Green Nations Gathering (Sep 17-19), Iroquois Springs, New York
* 2005-2006: Teacher: Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter High School (PVPA), South Hadley, MA: Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Comparative Religion
* 2005-present: College Instructor: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA: Clinical Herbalism