New researcher

Fytokem Products Inc. recently announced the appointment of Wei Guang

(Victor) Ma to the position of phytochemical isolation specialist.

“His vast experience in bioactive isolation will help us unlock the

active molecules that make our products so potent and effective, a key

in certifying their purity and potency,” said Art Hesje, president of

Fytokem.

Fytokem researches and develops plant-based ingredients for use as

cosmetics, nutraceuticals or bio-industrial products.

Ma is expected to be responsible for the isolation, purification and

identification of the phytochemicals from natural plant extracts.

He has received a bachelor and masters degree from Yunnan College of

Traditional Chinese Medicine in Yunnan, China. Ma carried out his PhD

work at the University of Laussane, Switzerland, and came to Canada in

2000.

CIGI head to resign

Arnold Tremere, executive director of the Canadian International Grains

Institute, plans to retire May 31.

Tremere has worked as CIGI’s executive director since 1989.

He joined the organization in 1982 as director of feed technology.

Before that, he worked with Master Feeds, a division of Maple Leaf

Mills in Calgary.

Tremere noted that during the past 20 years, CIGI has undergone

significant changes.

“Program content is now more focussed, as well as more technical in

nature and held over a shorter time period,” he said in a News release

news.

Since his 1982 arrival at CIGI, Tremere has seen an instant noodle line

added to the pilot noodle plant and a pilot pasta plant and test bakery

set up.

As well, there have been upgrades to the pilot flour mill and quality

control library.

During his time with the institute, CIGI’s programs have expanded

beyond wheat, barley and canola to include other crops, especially

pulses.

Tremere was born in Shaunavon, Sask., and holds a bachelor of science

in agriculture and a master of science in animal science from the

University of Saskatchewan.

He also holds a PhD in animal nutrition from Cornell University in New

York.