Food and nutrition sciences in Queensland are set to receive a boost following the joint appointment of an international expert by The University of Queensland (UQ) and the Department of Primary Industries (DPI).
Dr Mike Gidley will take up the dual role of the Director of UQ’s Centre for Nutrition and Food Science, and the Research Mentor for the DPI’s Agency for Food and Fibre Sciences (AFFS).
According to the Executive Dean of UQ’s Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science, Professor Roger Swift, food processing is already the largest manufacturing industry in Australia and attracting experts like Dr Gidley will enhance that position.
“The kind of international experience that Dr Gidley brings has the potential to provide research that could significantly enhance Queensland’s ability to secure important export markets through increased international competitiveness,” Professor Swift said.
According to Professor Swift the new centre is the result of a high level of collaboration in the scientific community.
“Not only is it another example of the strong and productive links between UQ and the DPI, but within the University scientists from four different faculties will contribute to the centre,” he said.
DPI Food Technology Director Peter Skarshewski said Dr Gidley had studied and worked extensively in the UK, particularly in the field of food sciences, and would bring an enormous amount of experience to the position.
“As Research Mentor, Dr Gidley will lead the research efforts of the AFFS which supports all players in food and fibre supply chains, resulting in safe, sustainable food and fibre production tailored to the needs of world markets,” Mr Skarshewski said.
Dr Gidley is currently Group Leader of the plant-based foods and ingredients section of Unilever Research in the UK. In this position he supervises staff who are conducting research in plant genomics, materials science and processing, and the discovery and sourcing of nutritional and functional food ingredients.
Dr Gidley was awarded his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of London and a PhD from the University of Cambridge.
As well as his work with Unilever, Dr Gidley has served on the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, both on the Microbial Sciences Committee and the Agri-Food Committee. He has also been a part of the Royal Society of Chemistry Carbohydrate Group and the Carbohydrate Research Foundation UK.
“AFFS is continually forging ahead with its research into food and fibre, and the appointment of Dr Gidley can only improve the advances we are making, particularly in food technology, while also enhancing our interactions with The University of Queensland,” Mr Skarshewski said.
Media: For more information, contact Kirsten Phillips, DPI Principal Media Officer (telephone 07 3239 3012) or Anthony Smith, UQ Gatton Marketing Coordinator (telephone 07 5460 1229).
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