Heather Graz

I have a unique and broad-based combination of public- and private sector managerial and clinical experience in the healthcare industry across both emerging and developed countries over a period of 16 years.

I have particular experience in facilitation of collaborative goal-setting processes and building up underdeveloped and underperforming services within this industry sector into integrated and dynamic entities capable of providing relevant output to their communities.

I am multilingual and have competed on national and international sporting stages and have a passion for actively pursuing ongoing learning experiences.

Michael Graz

My time is divided between running a biotechnology company, consulting and exploring the great outdoors with my wife. I received a Ph.D. in Anatomy and Human Biology in 1995 and a second in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 2002.

I gained my experience working in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Southern Africa, South East Asia including China and South America in various capacities ranging from MD of a biotechnology business to General Manager of an aquaculture start up, General Manager of an IVD manufacturer, Head of Group Technical for a frozen food company, consultant and business mentor, lecturer and head of a research unit.

Furthermore, I have project managed the development of manufacturing facilities in the USA, UK, Chile and South Africa to comply with HACCP and cGMP standards.

I have served as an industry advisor to the South African delegations to the Codex Alimentarius Commission meetings on Fish & Fishery Products and Food Additives & Contaminants. Furthermore, I have acted as temporary advisor to the FAO/WHO.

In 2009, I was admitted to the status of Chartered Biologist and elected as Fellow of the Society of Biology.

Stewart Clark (Technical Advisor)

Stewart Clark acts as technical advisor to Biophys Ltd. He has recently been appointed as Research & Development Manager at BBI Enzymes, tasked with advancing the capabilities of this world-leading supplier of naturally derived enzymes. In his previous role as Biological Safety Officer for the University of Southampton, he was involved in preparing policy, advising on a range of health, safety and security matters associated with biological research including genetic modification and working with dangerous pathogens, and providing training to various groups. Dr Clark is a Fulbright graduate of Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana, USA where he obtained his PhD in Microbiology. During his tenure in Montana, Stewart was based at the Center for Biofilm Engineering, the renowned hub for biofilm research. It was here that his passion for multidisciplinary collaborative projects grew. For his efforts in promoting excellence in biofilm research, education and technology transfer, Dr Clark was awarded the W.G. Characklis Award for Most Outstanding Student in 2007.

His research interests have migrated from estuarine ecology to cyanobacterial blooms and biological wastewater to the safety of drinking water. His experience includes the establishment of the Advanced Integrated Ponding System for biological wastewater treatment in Grahamstown, South Africa, the effective management of the Drinking Water Biofilms laboratory at the Center for Biofilm Engineering in Bozeman, Montana and the design and implementation of undergraduate university courses in microbiology. Dr Clark has extensive working knowledge of molecular biology as it relates to pathogen diagnostics and microbial ecology but also has experience in industrial biotechnology and environmental engineering. He is well versed in the requirements of various international standards and has experience in implementing and auditing ISO 9001, OHSAS 18001 and CEN 15793 systems.

When he is not in his role as R&D Manager, Dr Clark enjoys the company of friends hiking or cross-country skiing in the majestic mountains of the Pacific Northwest or enjoying the waves on the South African coast.

Lolita Kohne (Collaborator)

Lolita Kohne received her Bachelor of Science in Consumer Science (Ed) from the University of Stellenbosch (South Africa) in 1998.

For the past 12 years as a food scientist, she has gained experience in the United Kingdom, Argenina and South Africa in various capacities ranging from Teaching Food Technology at Secondary School Level and a Food Quality Technologist for a major retailer and Food Technologist for a frozen food company to R&D Manager for fruit preparations for the dairy, beverage, dessert and bakery industry.

Her experience includes the processing of fish, value added chicken & beef products including frozen ready meals as well as fruit based products which range from fruit preparations, fruit juice concentrates, dairy milk blends, fruit puree’s, fruit toppings and fruit syrups for beverage & ice-cream application.

Her operational experience comes especially from fish processing and value added meat production as well as secondary processing such as coating of fish with batter, crumbs or sauce on frozen fish and chicken as well as the pasteurisation of fruit based products.

Lolita is currently working as a food consultant in South Africa.

Current and Past Clients

• British Biocell International (Wales and Scotland)
• BBI Enzymes (Wales and South Africa)
• BBI Detection (Wisconsin, USA)
• BBI Healthcare (Wales)
• Resource Innovations (South Africa)
• Irvin and Johnson Ltd (South Africa)
• BidFood Ingredients (South Africa)
• Ocean Fisheries Ltd (Canada)
• Eastlink (Canada)
• MCM Select Foods (UK)
• WHO/FAO