Q: Please tell us about your Mars career.
1992 saw me graduate trainee at Mars after earning my degree in Chemistry at the The breadth and depth of our business, which allows our workers to obtain extremely various experiences, is one of the fantastic things about Mars. As an excellent illustration, I worked for fifteen years in the Petcare business, nine years in the Chocolate business, and nine years as the General Manager of CocoaVia, a dietary supplement that contains the highest concentration of cocoa flavanols available. I worked to create and introduce a new Future of Work program for our Associates during my most recent position as Vice President of Workplace Transformation.
It may surprise some to learn that we have a long history of scientific advancement and creativity. As Vice President of Innovation, Science, and Technology, I have the honor of building on this to provide consumers with valuable solutions and to be a key player in addressing some of society’s most pressing issues.
What is the Mars philosophy about science, technology, and innovation?
Our 4,000 highly skilled technical experts work across five state-of-the-art research institutes and our R&D teams, which are led by some of the top research institutions in the world. We are engaged in cutting-edge research all over the world, from nutrition studies to addressing climate change.
It is our family ownership that really makes this strategy possible. Being a privately held family business enables us to commit to research over the long term, assemble highly skilled science teams, and establish enduring relationships with the best and the brightest.
What are the meetings of Lindau Nobel Laureates?
Nobel Laureates get together once a year in Lindau, Germany, to network with approximately 500 of the world’s best undergraduates, PhD candidates, and post-doctoral scholars.
Every year, a different Nobel discipline is highlighted; in 2022, chemistry was such discipline. These gatherings promote communication among scientists from various fields, eras, and cultures. I find it to be a very special gathering that offers a unique chance for the young scientists to learn from the Laureates and the Laureates to learn from the young scientists.
Why did Jupiter collaborate with the Nobel Laureate Colloquium in Lindau?
Here at Mars, we’re dedicated to promoting important scientific discourse that shapes the future we want. Since 2007, we have organized panel discussions on a wide range of important topics, from the future of ageing research to eliminating aflatoxin risks from the global food supply chain to using physics to restore coral reefs. The Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings are the ideal venue for those discussions.
We have also supported the attendance of over 250 young scientists from around the world who are pursuing PhDs and post-doctoral studies during the past 15 years. Many of those young scientists I’ve spoken to have told me that it’s an amazing experience for them. It is an honor to collaborate with the Meetings each year since bringing people together in Lindau fosters innovative dialogue and idea generation.
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Q: How would you define cross-sector/cross-generational collaboration?
Integrating diverse industries, disciplines, and individuals into scientific research is essential for tackling the world’s most serious problems. Our approach to scientific research therefore places a strong emphasis on partnerships and collaborations, of which our longstanding involvement at Lindau is a prime example.
Using the knowledge gained from our 20-year research program into cocoa flavanols, Mars sponsored a series of events this year that were centered upon how chemistry can unlock and elevate crucial findings for health and nutrition research.
We had the good fortune to have Aaron Ciechanover, Nobel Laureate in chemistry, Emeritus Professor Kay-Tee Khaw of the University of Cambridge, and Professor Gunter Kuhnle of the University of Reading join us. Not to be overlooked are the enthusiastic and gifted young researchers from all around the world—15 of whom were sponsored by Mars to travel to Lindau this year.
For me, the true highlight of the week was getting to know these dynamic young scientists. I was able to personally witness the energy and fresh concepts that surfaced over the week, which, to be honest, helped me imagine a better future. That is, after all, the main goal of scientific cooperation and the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings.