Scientific partner and support/management of exploitation and dissemination opportunities arising from this project. Leader of WP2 and WP5.
Mars have developed a world-leading centre of expertise concerning the understanding of food applications of flavanols. During the last 15 years, MARS have established 3 essential core competencies in the context of flavanol research: 1] flavanol analytics and chemistry; 2] flavanol-preserving food processing; and 3] the development of research platforms aimed at investigating the proposed biomedical properties of flavanols. As essential tools for rigorous scientific research MARS developed analytically well-characterised and standardised flavanol-containing food-grade ingredients and foods as well their respective controls that are low in flavanols, but otherwise matched in terms of caloric load, macro-, and micro-nutrient content. For uses in analytics and biomedical research we have de novo synthesised the main human metabolites of dietary flavanols. We have published well over 120 peer-reviewed scientific papers and over 30 patents in the area of flavanol research resulting also in various industrial [CocoaPro® process] and product [CocoaVia®] applications.
Dr. Matthias Berninger is Director for Corporate Health and Nutrition Affairs at Mars, Inc.'s European headquarters in Brussels, and an expert on public policy matters and food regulation. He represented the German parliamentary group Bündnis 90/Die Grünen as a Member of the Bundestag since 1994 and was Parliamentary State Secretary (Staatssekretär) in the German Federal Ministry for Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture from 2001-2005. Alongside his engagement in reforms in food safety and storage, Berninger was involved in policy implementations to address obesity, and consequently in the founding of the German 'Platform for Nutrition and Physical Activity'. Berninger has announced his retirement from duties as Member of the Bundestag and joined Mars, Inc. in February 2007.
Dr. Hagen Schroeter (Third party Mars Inc (USA)) is a Senior Biomedical Research Manager of the MARS Flavanol Research Program and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of California Davis. Dr. Schroeter authored and co-authored multiple scientific publications in the area of flavanol research, contributed to various books, and is a member of various research organisations dedicated to flavanol research.
Dr. Harold Schmitz (Third party Mars Inc (USA) is the Chief Science Officer [CSO] of MARS Incorporated. Besides his significant long-term contributions to the MARS Flavanol Research Program, Dr. Schmitz held various positions within Mars in scientific and regulatory affairs, fundamental research, analytical and applied sciences, and corporate staff. His research interest’s centre around the agricultural, biomedical, clinical and engineering sciences related to food production and its influence on human and companion-animal health. Schmitz has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and chaired several scientific symposia in the area of phyto-nutrients and health. Dr. Schmitz serves on the Executive Committee of the Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable at The National Academies of the USA.
Dr. Hagen Schroeter (Third party Mars Inc (USA)) is a Senior Biomedical Research Manager of the MARS Flavanol Research Program and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of California Davis. Dr. Schroeter authored and co-authored multiple scientific publications in the area of flavanol research, contributed to various books, and is a member of various research organisations dedicated to flavanol research.
Dr. Harold Schmitz (Third party Mars Inc (USA) is the Chief Science Officer [CSO] of MARS Incorporated. Besides his significant long-term contributions to the MARS Flavanol Research Program, Dr. Schmitz held various positions within Mars in scientific and regulatory affairs, fundamental research, analytical and applied sciences, and corporate staff. His research interest’s centre around the agricultural, biomedical, clinical and engineering sciences related to food production and its influence on human and companion-animal health. Schmitz has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and chaired several scientific symposia in the area of phyto-nutrients and health. Dr. Schmitz serves on the Executive Committee of the Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable at The National Academies of the USA.