Food Structures, Digestion and Health

Mike Boland joined the Riddet Institute in 2006 after 15 years in the dairy industry, first with the New Zealand Dairy Research Institute and then with Fonterra. During this time he headed a group involved in protein research and was General Manager for strategic research. He was also Global Program Leader for the New Zealand Dairy Board's Milk Characteristics program. Extensive liaison with high profile overseas researchers in the UK, USA and Germany enabled Dr Boland to bring the very best of those collaborations to his New Zealand work resulting in excellence in commercial processes and innovation for New Zealand. Dr Boland has published about 80 papers and 6 patents.

Harjinder Singh is a Distinguished Professor and Director of the Massey Institute of Food Science and Technology. He is also the Co-Director of the Riddet Institute, a National Centre of Research Excellence in food science and nutrition. Professor Singh's research focuses on milk protein structures and functionality, food emulsions, protection and encapsulation of bioactive compounds, and digestive behavior of food structures. He has published over 300 research papers in international journals, and is co-inventor of 15 patents some which have formed the basis of commercial innovations. He has presented over 110 keynote addresses at national and international conferences.