Meat Scientist Wins Top National Award

Hamilton, New Zealand - Hamilton based scientist Mike North's work in the meat quality field has won him a top national science award and given AgResearch a winning trifecta at the same time.

Dr North won the emerging biotechnologist of the year award presented by industry organisation NZBio. It was the third consecutive year an AgResearch scientist had won the award.

Dr North works as senior food engineer within the company's food metabolism and microbiology section.

The award is presented to a scientist under the age of 35 whose achievements clearly demonstrate the potential for future leadership in biotechnology. Dr North leads the meat quality and safety team based at the former Meat Industry Research Institute of New Zealand (Mirinz).

Dr North said he was surprised to find out he had won the award. "Although people may no longer consider the meat processing industry as involving biotechnology, it is one of the most important industries for the country and technology has been instrumental in New Zealand's international success."

AgResearch chief executive Andy West nominated Dr North for the award and said his work has generated significant commercial benefit for the meat and food industries of New Zealand.

His ongoing research has the potential to revolutionise the meat industry, and the team of researchers that he leads will play a key role in ensuring that New Zealand's red meat industry remains internationally competitive.

Dr North has been with AgResearch/Mirinz since 2000, starting as a researcher. His work has focused on developing design tools for top-end food safety results, with minimum cost and maximum product yield.

SOURCE: Mike North's