New Chief for CSIRO Food and Nutritional Sciences

Internationally recognised food scientist and science leader Professor Martin Cole will start as the Chief of CSIRO’s Division of Food and Nutritional Sciences (FNS) in January 2010.

Professor Cole is currently Director of the National Centre for Food Safety and Technology (NCFST) in the United States and Research Professor of Biology at Illinois Institute of Technology.

Born in the United Kingdom, Professor Cole graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the Manchester Metropolitan University and completed a PhD at the University of East Anglia in 1988. His career has included research and management appointments with food companies Unilever and Nabisco.

From 1999 to 2004 Professor Cole was based at Food Science Australia (FSA) - a joint venture between CSIRO and the Victorian Government and the predecessor to FNS. His time at FSA included 15 months as acting CEO.

With many years of experience in food policy and the development of international food safety standards, Professor Cole has frequently been called upon as an expert by organisations such the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) as well as the US House of Representatives.

He has received numerous awards, including election as a Fellow of the International Academy of Food Science and Technology and he currently chairs the International Commission on the Microbiological Specifications for Food.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to return to Australia and CSIRO,” Professor Cole said. “Australia, and hence CSIRO, have a huge role to play in global food production. A strong research effort is important to ensuring we can sustainably produce enough food, food that is healthier and safer. It is an exciting challenge.”

Professor Cole takes over from interim Chief and FSA CEO Professor Alan Bell, who has overseen the move from Food Science Australia to CSIRO Food and Nutritional Sciences. Professor Bell will return as Chief of CSIRO Livestock Industries.

CSIRO established FNS in July in a new research collaboration with the Victorian Government to continue the research capability and portfolio operated by FSA.