Geoffrey W Smithers, PhD is the Director of International Business for Food Science Australia, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. He is responsible for setting the strategic framework for relationship and business development in international markets, and directing and coordinating activities in these markets. Dr Smithers has a background in both fundamental and applied R&D in the areas of advanced processing and ingredient functionality, together with hands-on experience in food business practice. He has more than 18 years experience in dairy food R&D, both in Australia and in the United States. Dr Smithers has been closely involved in the development and commercialization of high-value dairy foods and ingredients, particularly those based on fractionated proteins, and in the development of nutriceuticals, based on dairy protein or peptide isolates, with specific and targeted physiological function.

Mary Ann Augustin, PhD is a Professor in Chemistry at Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. She is currently on assignment to the University from Food Science Australia. Previously, she held several science leadership positions at Food Science Australia/CSIRO including Group Manager – Ingredients; Director, Science Forum, Food Science Australia; Section Leader - Ingredient Functionality; Team Leader – Milk Powders. Prof. Augustin is inventor/co-inventor on a number of patents and innovations (proprietary) in the area of ingredients, milk powders and microencapsulated products.