George Thouas, B.Sc., M.Rep.Sc., Ph.D. (Monash)
George is head of R & D at Max Biocare, with nearly 20 years of experience in academic research. His original interest was in helping couples to have children, through his research into the female fertility. His Ph.D. was focused on how mitochondria work, the part of developing cells that turns dietary nutrients into energy. This process is now recognised as critical to how mum’s nutrition affects her baby’s growth and its future health. George tries to put evidence-based back into Little Étoile Organic.
Mark Waddingham, B.Biomed.Sci. (Pharm. Sci.), B.Sc. (Hons.), Ph.D
Mark is a research scientist, working closely with the R & D team at Max Biocare. One of his major research interests is understanding how changes in the body's metabolism affects the cardiovascular system. A lot of the progressive damage to blood vessels feeding the heart, lungs and brain due to metabolic diseases may be reduced with simple changes in diet and proper nutrition. Establishing good nutritional habits from a young age may indeed prevent cardiovascular disease development later in life.
Diana Newman
H.N (Deakin)
Diana completed her undergraduate in Nutritional Medicine in 2012, followed by a Master’s Degree in Human Nutrition through Deakin University. Her thesis looked at the effects of digital health interventions on improving dietary behaviour in adults with type 2 diabetes. In clinical practice, Diana has worked with patients to improve cardiovascular health, hormonal imbalance, gut health and digestive disorders. Since having twin girls in early 2019, Diana’s nutrition interests and expertise have extended to prenatal, babies and children’s health and nutrition.
Justine Gal
B.HSc M.Diet
Justine holds qualifications in Health Science and Dietetics, working with the R & D and marketing teams at Little Étoile Organics. She has as an intrinsic and evidence-based understanding of the positive impact that good nutrition has on overall levels of wellbeing.
She specialises in nutrition communications, blending the craft of science translation with the art of communication to help Little Étoile Organics reveal their health and nutrition story to inform conversations, connect, engage and impact.
Benjamin Parmenter, B.Nutr.Diet. (Hons.)
Ben is a R & D associate with qualifications in nutrition and dietetics. Some of his research has looked at the influence of free play intervention on physical activity in school children, and he is currently involved in a Max Biocare study of the effects of omega-3 supplementation on behaviour and cognitive responses in primary aged children. Ben is enthusiastic about all aspects of nutrition and has played an active role in the Little Étoile Organic journey.
