FULLY BOOKED: From Taste to Tech: A Journey through Food Analysis

Since last 6 years, Dr. Kenji Yamamoto is working as a global product manager at Anton Paar ProveTec. He is responsible for the flash point tester portfolio, including the market leading PMA X00 and the brand-new ABA X00 and TAG X00 series. In responsibility of his product line he is also actively participating in working groups of the ASTM, CEN, and DIN standardization organizations. Dr. Kenji Yamamoto studied physics and prior to his work at Anton Paar ProveTec, he did his doctoral studies in the field of physical chemistry and biomedicine at the Freie Universität Berlin.

Akhona obtained her BSc (Hons) in Chemistry from Rhodes University and joined Anton Paar Southern Africa in 2014 as part of the Measurement Department. She has extensive experience working with clients across various industries and in 2021 she was promoted to Product Manager for Refractive Index and Polarimetry. Her main focus is providing solutions for R&D and quality control in Gauteng and surrounding inland provinces.

Shane obtained his BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry from the University of Johannesburg and started his career as a lab analyst which later progressed into a research and development role and eventually sales. He joined Anton Paar Southern Africa’s sales team in 2019 as part of the Measurement Department, responsible for the sales and support of the Analytical and Synthetic Chemistry (ASC) product range. He was appointed as Product Manager ASC in July 2020 with the main focus being to provide solutions for R&D and quality control laboratories in South Africa.

Preshnie obtained her BSc (Hons) in Chemistry from the University of South Africa and started her career as a lab technician which later progressed into sales. She joined Anton Paar Southern Africa as the Product Manager for Particle Characterization in 2020, where her main focus is to provide technical solutions and support to the R&D and Quality Control laboratories in South Africa.

Serena completed her BSc in Applied Chemistry from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal in 2015. She started her career as a QC Analyst, which then progressed into sales. In 2023 she joined Anton Paar Southern Africa as a Sales Specialist for Characterization focusing on Surface Characterization.

Poifo Dipholo completed her National N Diploma in Engineering Studies from Johannesburg Institute of Engineering and Technology in 2018. In February 2023 she joined Anton Paar Southern Africa as Sales Specialist for Measurement with focus on density, viscosity, refractometry and oxidation stability. In 2023 she joined SAAFOST as a member.

Gabrielle Chebou holds a BTech in Biotechnology, Developing her skills in Quality control & Sales, She joined Anton Paar Southern Africa in 2019 as a Sales Specialist for Characterization focusing on Rheology. In 2023 she was Promoted to Product Manager for Rheology including overseeing the Brabender portfolio.

Malesela Mthenjane holds a National Diploma in Biotechnology obtained from the University of Johannesburg and has a wealth of  laboratory experience across various industries namely the pharmaceutical industry, food industry, and local government. He joined Merieux Nutriscience as a Technical Specialist in Quality Management Systems, where he trained, consulted and audited food safety and quality management systems for different organisations in the food industry. He is currently working as a Regional Sales Manager for Merieux, leading a sales team covering Gauteng, Mpumalanga,  North West, Limpopo and KZN.

Prof. Eric Amonsou is a Food Science Professor at the Durban University of Technology and a C2 rated NRF research Scientist in South Africa. His research focuses on food biopolymers and uses rheological tools to study the functionality of protein gels, emulsions, and dough systems. Prof. Eric Amonsou holds a PhD in Food Science, MPhil Food Science and BSc (HONS) Agricultural Engineering. With over a decade of experience in teaching and research within higher education, he leads the Food and Nutrition Security research focus area at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), and has established himself as a leading authority in the field of food science.