Fonterra dairy scientist wins US award

Fonterra dairy scientist Dr Peter Munro has become the sixth New Zealander to win a prestigious American research award for his contribution to the industry.

Dr Munro, Fonterra Dairy Cooperative Group's general manager for planning and integration, was presented the 2005 Danisco (formerly called Marschall Rhodia) International Dairy Science Award in Ohio today.

The American Dairy Science Association research and development award, established in 1980, recognises outstanding accomplishments in research and development outside the USA and Canada in the dairy foods industries.

Fonterra spokesman Bob Major said the award was a tribute to Dr Munro's outstanding contribution to the New Zealand dairy industry and to dairy science internationally.

"All New Zealanders should take tremendous pride in the achievement of scientists like Dr Munro, who are using their knowledge and skills to drive innovation and increase New Zealand value-add capabilities in the global marketplace," he said.

Dr Munro joined the former Dairy Research Institute, now Fonterra Innovation, in 1993, has spearheaded many commercial successes for the company, including improvements in instant whole milk powder and development of a milk protein concentrate for use in cheese-making.

From 1998, as general manager process technology, the work in his process technology development programme on cheese flavour technologies, whey protein, dehydration, probiotics (beneficial lactic acid bacteria) and other bioactive milk components led to 20 new patents.

Dr Munro said the biggest change he had seen in the industry was the more systematic and commercially-focused approach to research and development.

"There's better focus on business outcomes from our R and D activities," he said.

"We look at projects across the whole portfolio and we screen, value and prioritise them through an innovation pipeline. Using this rigorous process undoubtedly results in better allocation of resources and better outcomes."

A graduate of Auckland University and University College, London (1976), Dr Munro is a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand, a Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (UK) and a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology.

In 1996, he was appointed an Honorary Professor, chemical and materials engineering, at The University of Auckland, and in 1998 Adjunct Professor, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University.

- NZPA