Working Group Chairs
Jing Tan, Ph.D.
Working Group Chair
Email: [email protected]
Jing holds a Ph.D. degree in Analytical Chemistry from the National University of Singapore and is currently working as the Analytical Team Lead at FMC, an agrichemical company, where she has been leading a group of scientists providing technical solutions and developing analytical strategies to support brand protection and process improvements. Prior to FMC, Jing has over 10 years of working experience in Food and Pharmaceutical analysis in both the private and public sectors.
Jing is one of the founding members of the AOAC SEA section and was instrumental in the formation of the section. By volunteering as the chair and contributing to the Capacity Building Working Group, Jing hopes to further drive the development of analytical competence and advancement of the standards and performance of analytical science in the region.
Stewart Jones
Working Group Co-chair
Stewart Jones has a Bachelor of Science degree with Honours in chemistry from the University of Western Australia (UWA). During his career he has worked for a number of private and government analytical laboratories, with his last role being the Senior Manager – Laboratory Operations of the National Measurement Institute in WA (formerly the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories, AGAL).
Over the last 30 years Stewart has also managed several international projects and consultancies for the Australian Government and the World Health Organization, applying his knowledge of risk management to assist laboratories and food industries in many Asia Pacific countries.
He is currently the Coordinator of the Asia Pacific Food Analysis Network (APFAN) and is consulting to the Pacific Quality Infrastructure Initiative (PQII) under the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS).
Jie Zhang, Ph.D.
Working Group Chair
Email: [email protected]
Jie Zhang is Manager – Analytical Governance & Toxicology, Global Food Safety at Mead Johnson Nutrition Asia Pacific (Reckitt), Singapore, where he drives development and harmonization of analytical methods to support the innovation projects. Prior to joining Mead Johnson Nutrition Asia Pacific, he was senior scientist and lead scientist in Nutritional industry Research and Development Center (Singapore), where he developed new analytical methods to support new nutritional product development and provided nutritional method training and transfer.
He is active within AOAC INTERNATIONAL. He joined AOAC International since 2016 and he was one of the past members of AOAC SPIFAN Expert Review Panel (both nutrition and contaminants).
He has a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Technology. He holds an MSc degree in Environmental Science (contaminant analysis) and a PhD in Analytical Chemistry in National University of Singapore (2007). He is (co)author of more than 10 scientific publications
Huei Hong Lee, Ph.D.
Working Group Co-chair
Huei Hong Lee is a Principal Scientist at Waters Corporation. She has over 7 years’ experience in analytical instrumentation within the subject areas of analytical chemistry and material science. She drives research collaboration projects and facilitates stakeholders’ engagement in food and environmental sector. Prior joining Waters Corporation, she was a senior application specialist who provide field technical support on analytical testing for the government, academics, and private industries. She participated in the regional collaborative project with IRRI on grain quality and evaluation methods, experienced in rice genetic diversity, bran nutrients, and bioprocessing. She has good knowledge in method validation, verification and measurement of uncertainty for ISO17025 accreditation.
She joined AOAC International since 2019 and participated in working group of Food Authenticity Method (FAM). She is also a member of SIFST and co-opted council member of MIFT.
Dr Lee earned her PhD in Food Chemistry, (co)authored for more than 10 scientific publications and intellectual property.
Annabelle V. Briones, Ph.D.
Working Group Chair
Email: [email protected]
Annabelle V. Briones is the Director of Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST). She is at the forefront of leading the Institute to make local industries globally competitive through research and development, transfer and commercialization of innovative and sustainable technologies, and appropriate technical services.
She earned her doctorate in Engineering from Keio University, Japan, and a Master of Science in Chemistry from the University of Santo Tomas, Philippines. In 2017, she was conferred as Scientist I of Scientific Career System by the Philippine National Academy of Science and Technology and a Career Executive Service Officer (CESO), rank IV by the Philippine Career Executive Service Board (CESB).
She had represented the country in various international symposia and conferences. She has authored multiple publications and patents. One of her researches is the Philippine Mosquito Ovicidal/Larvicidal (OL) Trap system selected as finalists of the 2016 R&D 100 Awards (The Oscars of Invention) by R&D World Magazine.
She also received the award as Woman Leader of DOST in 2019 and a recipient of the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award (group category) in 2014. In 2020, the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (PHILAAST) bestowed her with the Gregorio Zara Award for Applied Research, and this year, Asian Scientist Magazine recognized her accomplishments as one of the most outstanding scientists in the region in their 2021 edition of the Asian Scientist 100 list.
Maria Josephine ‘Pinky’ Gonzales
Working Group Co-chair
Pinky is the Regulatory & Scientific Affairs (RSA) Lead of Nestlé Philippines. Prior to this role, she was the Regulatory & Scientific Affairs Lead for the R&D and Beverages Business unit in Nestlé Headquarters, Switzerland (2016-2018). She has been with Nestlé for more than 27 years, mainly spent in Factory Quality Assurance (1995-1997, Corporate Quality Management and Nestlé Quality Assurance Center (1998-2012), Technical Operations and R&D (2012 to present). Currently she’s also handling Nestlé’s government and industry affairs in her role as Regulatory & Scientific Affairs Head for the Philippine market (2018 to present). Pinky’s serving the Philippine Association of Food Technologists (PAFT) as a Board Member for almost eight (8) years (2013-2016, 2019-2022) and previously held Board and Officer positions with Integrated Chemists of the Philippines and Philippine Federation of Chemistry Societies (2019-2021).
Prior to Nestlé, Pinky worked in UPLB as a Research Associate (1990-1992) and in Gruppo Medica (1992-1995), as its pioneer Chemist for its pharma, food and feeds manufacturing.
She’s a graduate of BS Chemistry (1990) and MS (Food Science, 1994). She attended a Certificate course in Food Code at the Institute for Food Laws and Regulations of Michigan State University (2012) and completed course work for PhD in Chemistry at Ateneo de Manila University (2021-2022).
Pinky is a Licensed Chemist and is waiting for the Philippine Board of Food Technology’s decision on her application as a ‘Professional’ Food Technologist.
Dimas Ade Putra
Working Group Co-chair
Mr. Putra is currently the Quality Manager at the Center for Standardization and Industrial Service Medan, an institution under the Indonesian Ministry of Industry. He is responsible in the application of quality management system in service standard of testing laboratory in his organization based on ISO 9001:2015 and ISO/IEC 17025:2017. Mr. Putra’s work prioritizes quality improvement to optimization quality service in ensuring industrial products and environmental quality meet with national regulation by testing in laboratory and research.
He previously served as Senior Laboratory Analyst from 2018 to 2021 at the same institution.
Kumud Ashish Singh
Working Group Chair
Email: [email protected]
Kumud Ashish Singh holds a master’s degree in microbiology and is currently leading regulatory management for F&B & Environment Testing at Merck Life Science supporting advocacy & surveillance for APAC countries.
She has over 17.5 years of experience involving manufacturing & corporate roles in various FMCG companies. Prior to working with Merck, she was responsible for set up of greenfield lab project (1.4 MM USD) involving designing to operation (QMS) followed by Operational Excellence in laboratory for Mars International. Kumud also worked as Microbiologist Subject Matter Expert with Coca-Cola India & Pepsi Foods, where she was responsible for conducting capability enhancement programs for microbiologists like global microbiology training, troubleshooting along with microbiology risk assessment programs to curb microbial spoilage & low-cost proficiency testing programs for India & Southwest Asia region. She started her career as microbiologist at Colgate Palmolive and Johnson & Johnson.
Kumud is member of FSSAI Method Review Group since 2018 to 2020, member of AOAC India Chapter (since 2017), Secretary AOAC SEA from 2020 and current member of scientific council of CHIFSS which is a joint association between CII & Unilever. One of her notable advocacy projects was development of C-MAT lab as part of CSR project between Merck & FSSAI.
Chai Lay Ching, Ph.D.
Working Group Co-chair
Dr Chai Lay Ching is Professor at the Sunway University. She is the Chair of the Young Scientists Network-Academy of Sciences Malaysia (YSN-ASM) that represents top young researchers in the country who are committed to contribute to the national ecosystem beyond their individual research interests. Part of her role includes engaging young academics in the country to rethink their role in shaping higher education for the future.
Dr Chai’s research focuses on infectious microorganisms, food safety and microbiological risk assessment. She served as the Vice Chair of the Technical Working Group of Microbiology under the Food Analysis Committee (JKAM) chaired by the Department of Chemistry Malaysia from 2016-2020; and is listed as the Malaysian expert on microbial risk assessment in the ASEAN Risk Assessor Directory. Also, she leads numerous academia-industry projects, such as serving as key opinion leaders of 3M Asia Pacific, food safety research with Kikkoman Japan and other local food manufacturers. Her active contribution and involvement in microbiological safety research has won her the Malaspina International Award by the International Life Science Institute (ILSI) in 2017; and she is currently serving as the scientific advisor of ILSI South East Asia Region providing guidance and advice on food safety risk assessment.
Dr Chai is also involved in promoting biosafety and biosecurity in Malaysia. She was selected and provided a fellowship to participate in the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) Global South Biosecurity Diplomacy Workshop in Switzerland in 2019. Her research and leadership in promoting research integrity, inclusivity and excellence has been recognised through multiple awards such as the L’Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Award in 2018, Marie Claire’s Amazing Woman in Malaysia 2019, Prestige’s 40 under 40 Malaysia 2019 and the Asian Women Entrepreneurs Leadership Award 2019.
Qi Lin, Ph.D.
Working Group Chair
Email: [email protected]
Qi Lin is Senior Manager at the Abbott Nutrition Research & Development Pacific Asia Centre, Singapore. She leads the Analytical Research function to provide analytical solutions to new nutritional product development, pre-clinical and clinical study, supply chain and commercial QA, regulatory and IP for countries in the region. She leads research on analytical science and food chemistry, and development of test methods for nutrients, contaminants, physical characterization, and bioanalysis.
She joined AOAC International since 2013 and has participated in AOAC SPIFAN program via summitting nutrient test method and joining working group.
She holds a PhD degree in Organic Chemistry from University of Wisconsin – Madison, USA. She (co)authored more than 20 scientific publications and patents.
Amelia Cheng-Quek
Working Group Co-Chair
Amelia Cheng has just retired as the Group Quality Control and Quality Assurance Manager at GC Holdings Sdn Bhd in September 2021. During her 37 years of career, Amelia was proactive in the technical group services of the company, overseeing the QC & QA of the laboratories and the process of GC Feedmills in Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, China and Thailand.
At the international level, Amelia joined AOAC International in 1989 and received the 25 years Member Service Award in 2014. She was also a member of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). At the national level, she has been an enthusiastic member of the Malaysian Institute of Chemistry (IKM) since 1986 and actively participated in many of its activities. From 2012 to present, Amelia has been serving as a committee member in the IKM Southern Branch. She received the Citation Award in 2014 for distinctive contributions to the profession of Chemistry in Malaysia.
She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Pharmacology at Monash University, Victoria and Postgraduate Diploma in Food Technology at UNSW, Australia. Learning through nearly four decades of professional training and practices, Amelia is well-versed on several subjects. She was responsible for the scheduled Group Round Robin Tests; experienced in new laboratory set-up / layout design and also laboratory renovations; trained and mentored Country QA/QC Managers; conducted audits and provided technical advice; and ensured compliance with GMP and Food Safety Management System. Besides chemical analysis, Amelia also has laboratory skills in microbiological analysis, mycotoxin assay, microscopy of feedingstuff and NIR analysis (both NIR software and chemometrics); and attended the Advanced NIR Forum at Copenhagen in 2015 and Phuket in 2018.
With a professional career always dedicated to work and communities, Amelia is ever ready to share her expertise and technical know-how.
