Manufacturing & Bioproducts
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Elspeth MacRaeGeneral Manager Manufacturing and BioproductsElspeth MacRae is the Executive who leads the Bioproduct Development business and science area which includes all Scion’s wood and fibre processing as well as biorefinery, biodiscovery and bioplastic activities. |
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Robert AllisonProject Leader, Developing Pilot Plant Facilities, and Solid Wood InitiativeDr Robert Allison (Bob) specialises in processing wood fibre for pulp, paper and packaging. Research programmes led by Bob have focussed on meeting the technical needs of the pulp and paper industry in New Zealand. |
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Bernie DawsonScientist and Team ManagerDr Bernard Dawson is a lead scientist in wood processing research. He specialises in coatings and surface technologies that improve the performance of wood in service. Bernard’s current research is focused on supercritical fluid dewatering of radiata pine and antimicrobial packaging. |
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Lloyd DonaldsonSenior Scientist, and Project Leader (Commercial Microscopy)Dr Lloyd Donaldson is a leading microscopist specialising in wood science. He has pioneered new techniques for studying wood cell walls using confocal imaging techniques. |
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Elizabeth DunninghamScientist, Research Leader – Durability & Wood Modification, and Project Leader – Wood ModificationDr Elizabeth Dunningham is a wood scientist specialising in wood modification treatments. Her experience includes research in many aspects of wood and composite performance assessment, including stability and weathering. |
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Grant EmmsResearch Leader (Wood Processing)Dr Grant Emms is a physicist specialising in acoustics. He helps to develop grading systems for the sawmilling industry that measure the stiffness of structural timber using sound waves. Grant has also taken a lead role in developing acoustic insulation systems for wooden buildings. |
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Alan FernyhoughSenior Scientist (Polymers), and Team Leader (Biopolymer & Green Chemical Technologies)Dr Alan Fernyhough has 30 years of experience in the synthesis, characterisation, formulation and processing of polymers. Originally from the UK, he worked for 18 years in the polymer industry (BP; Kobe Steel) developing high performance products. Alan's research focuses on bioplastics, biobased additives, thermoset bioresins, biopolymer foams, and fibre composites. |
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Douglas GauntScientist, Wood and Biofibre TechnologiesDoug Gaunt specialises in all aspects of timber engineering and leads research into new timber products and systems. He played a key role in developing and commercialising timber grading systems widely used in New Zealand sawmills. |
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Warren GrigsbySenior Scientist, Research Leader – Chemical Synthesis & DesignDr Warren Grigsby is a chemist with specialised experience in polymers and adhesives. His research focuses on developing wood-based materials and composites that incorporate high-performance bonding agents. Warren is leading the development of bio-based adhesive and polymer systems that can be used as substitutes for chemicals derived from petroleum. |
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Stefan J. HillScientist, NMR Spectroscopist, Research Leader – Advanced Chemical CharacterisationDr Stefan Hill specialises in NMR spectroscopy for analysing the chemical structure of materials. In 2009 he received the Keith Williamson Award for excellence in microscopy research. |
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Gareth Lloyd-JonesTeam Leader (Biotransformation) Project Leader (Lignin)Dr Gareth Lloyd-Jones is a biochemist specialising in industrial biotechnology. His research focuses on microbial organisms and enzymes associated with the degradation of organic matter. |
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Karl MurtonResearch Leader – Pulp, Paper & Pilot Plant FacilitiesDr Karl Murton is a chemical engineer specialising in mechanical pulping technologies. He is researching the production of useful extractives from wood as part of the biorefinery process. |
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Roger NewmanPrincipal Scientist. Acting Research leader, Advanced Chemical Characterisation.Dr Roger Newman specialises in physical chemistry of biomass and bio-based materials including wood, pulp, paper, and non-wood plant fibres. His current research is on using cellulosic fibres in composite materials and in biorefinery processing. |
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Kate ParkerScientist, Team Manager – Biopolymers and ChemicalsDr Kate Parker is a chemist who is developing new packaging materials using biomaterials. Kate’s particular field of interest is biopolymer foams as alternatives to expanded polystyrene. |
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Steve RileyScientist, and Project Leader (Wood Drying)Steve Riley leads the wood drying programme at Scion. This research, conducted in partnership with the wood processing industry, has significant impact on the value and performance of sawn timber from radiata pine. |
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David SandquistScientist, Research Leader – Fibre SciencesDr David Sandquist is a chemical engineer who specialises in wood science. His research is focused on understanding the anatomy of wood fibres produced from New Zealand’s commercial forests. David’s current role is leading the Fibre Sciences programme aimed at utilising wood fibres in the development of new materials and products. |
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Lou ShermanResearch Leader - PackagingLou Sherman is the research leader in packaging development using biopolymer materials. Lou has wide experience in managing the development of multinational packaging products from concept through to market launch, and measuring their environmental impact and compliance with relevant international legislation and regulations. |
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Tripti SinghScientist and Project Leader (Bioactives)Dr Tripti Singh specialises in wood preservation research. Her expertise includes all factors relating to wood durability, including timber treatments/remedial treatment, fungal enzymes, and wood preservation standards. Tripti is also involved in wood product development and performance evaluation using national and international testing methods. |
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Dawn SmithSenior Scientist; Research Leader – Polymers and Composites; Project Leader - PackagingDr Dawn Smith specialises in the synthesis, characterisation, and formulation of polymers. Originally from the US, she worked in the biomedical device industry in R&D and new product development (CIBA Vision, Novartis). Dawn's current research is on bioplastics, unsaturated bio-based polyesters, new polymers derived from forestry residues, biomass-filled polymer systems, and packaging solutions. |
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Timothy J. StrabalaSenior Scientist and Project Leader (Molecular Forestry Programme)Dr Tim Strabala is a scientist specialising in biotechnology. His research focuses on the molecular biology and biochemistry of plant growth and wood development. |
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Glenn ThorlbyMolecular Biologist/Biochemist, Research leader (Industrial Biotechnology), Project Leader (Molecular discovery).Dr Glenn Thorlby is a molecular biologist with specialised experience in gene discovery and functional genomics. Hisresearch is focused on molecular biochemistry and genetic engineering. His current role is leading the industrial biotechnology research programme aimed at using biological systems to produce useful chemicals from forest resources. |
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Armin WagnerSenior Scientist, Research Leader PlantBiotechDr Armin Wagner is a molecular biologist specialising in plant biotechnology with 19 years research experience. He has worked on the development of functional gene testing platforms for conifers and gained international recognition for his research into lignin biosynthesis and modification in radiata pine. Armin was awarded the Biannual Scion Chairman Award for Scientific Excellence (2009). |
