Meet our experts

Wasamon is GFI APAC’s SciTech Specialist, focusing on plant-based protein. She has more than five years of experience working at multinational food companies, through which she gained expertise in food proteins and their applications. Before joining GFI APAC, she spent two years working in academia and industry developing new talents for the food industry in Thailand. Wasamon holds a Ph.D. in Food Science from University of Massachusetts Amherst and a BSc. in Biochemistry from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand.

Wasamon lives in Singapore.

Dean provides scientific and technical expertise for GFI APAC, focusing on cultivated meat. He holds a Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology with a focus on poultry muscle development and a bachelor’s in Animal and Veterinary Bioscience, both from the University of Sydney. Dean has experience working for the Australian Federal Government both as a scientific assessor for food safety regulations and as an international policy analyst focusing on the Asia-Pacific region.

Dean lives in Sydney.

Maanasa is GFI APAC’s SciTech Specialist for cultivated meat. Prior to joining GFI, Maanasa worked as a scientist at Ivy Farm Technologies in the UK, spearheading research into multi-species cultivated meat products. Maanasa is passionate about science communication and has volunteered for various initiatives aimed at increasing engagement between researchers and the general public. She holds a Ph.D. in stem cell glycobiology from the National University of Singapore and a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science from the University of Sheffield. 

Maanasa lives in India. 

Valerie is our Innovation Associate at GFI APAC, where she is involved in community building, university outreach, and supporting startups and investors in the alternative protein industry.

Prior to GFI, she gained extensive experience working at various tech companies and startups in marketing and operational roles. She also previously co-founded a social enterprise.

Valerie lives in Singapore. 

Jennifer is GFI APAC’s Corporate Engagement Specialist, working to widen and deepen engagement and partnerships across the alternative protein supply chain. Prior to joining GFI, Jennifer was a strategy consultant for over five years in the Netherlands and Singapore focused on sustainability, social impact, and agriculture. She has worked with multinationals, SMEs, agribusinesses, governments, financial institutions, and nonprofits in the agriculture sector and beyond to design sustainability strategies, develop inclusive supply chains, and forge multi-stakeholder partnerships for systems-wide change. Jennifer holds an MSc in Corporate Social Responsibility and an MA (Hons) in International Relations.

Jennifer lives in Singapore. 

Valerie is our Innovation Associate at GFI APAC, where she is involved in community building, university outreach, and supporting startups and investors in the alternative protein industry.

Prior to GFI, she gained extensive experience working at various tech companies and startups in marketing and operational roles. She also previously co-founded a social enterprise.

Valerie lives in Singapore. 

Ryan leads GFI’s communications and programs for the Asia-Pacific region. Prior to joining GFI, he was working as an international consultant for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), based in Hanoi, Vietnam, where he focused on sustainable food systems and dietary change. Huling also previously served as an international director in the animal protection field and his work has been featured by major news outlets around the globe, including The Nikkei, South China Morning Post, The Straits Times, The Bangkok Post, CNN, Fox News, NBC News, USA Today, Business Insider, and WIRED.

Ryan lives in Los Angeles.

Thiru maximises GFI’s impact and influence across Asia Pacific through digital content marketing for social media and other online platforms. Prior to joining GFI, Thiru worked at Acumen Academy Malaysia, overseeing the selection and recruitment process for their Fellowship Programme. In addition to her digital marketing experience, Thiru holds a master’s degree in geoscience and is a trained laboratory chemist with a passion for science publication and outreach.

Thiru lives in Singapore.

Victoria leads the finance control, legal compliance and human resources for GFI APAC. Victoria brings in over 15 years of experience in nonprofit and management roles to her work. For the past decade, Victoria has worked for a multinational nonprofit organization and been dedicated to advancing corporate responsibility and sustainability in helping children and their families.

Victoria lives in Hong Kong.

Zarinna supports GFI APAC’s operations work, particularly in the areas of finance, human resources, and legal compliance. Zarinna has extensive experience in HR, administration, and events-based roles. She also holds degrees from the Singapore Institute of Management and London School of Economics and Political Science.

Zarinna lives in Singapore.  

Mirte leads GFI Asia Pacific as Managing Director. Prior to GFI, she founded various social enterprises, worked as a management consultant to startups, and as a researcher in humanitarian logistics. She brings experience in entrepreneurship, international development, and philanthropy. Mirte holds a Master’s in International Development Studies from Wageningen University & Research and is a graduate of the INSEAD Social Entrepreneurship Programme.

Mirte lives in Singapore.

Victoria leads the finance control, legal compliance and human resources for GFI APAC. Victoria brings in over 15 years of experience in nonprofit and management roles to her work. For the past decade, Victoria has worked for a multinational nonprofit organization and been dedicated to advancing corporate responsibility and sustainability in helping children and their families.

Victoria lives in Hong Kong.

Ryan leads GFI’s communications and programs for the Asia-Pacific region. Prior to joining GFI, he was working as an international consultant for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), based in Hanoi, Vietnam, where he focused on sustainable food systems and dietary change. Huling also previously served as an international director in the animal protection field and his work has been featured by major news outlets around the globe, including The Nikkei, South China Morning Post, The Straits Times, The Bangkok Post, CNN, Fox News, NBC News, USA Today, Business Insider, and WIRED.

Ryan lives in Los Angeles.

Dean provides scientific and technical expertise for GFI APAC, focusing on cultivated meat. He holds a Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology with a focus on poultry muscle development and a bachelor’s in Animal and Veterinary Bioscience, both from the University of Sydney. Dean has experience working for the Australian Federal Government both as a scientific assessor for food safety regulations and as an international policy analyst focusing on the Asia-Pacific region.

Dean lives in Sydney.

Wasamon is GFI APAC’s SciTech Specialist, focusing on plant-based protein. She has more than five years of experience working at multinational food companies, through which she gained expertise in food proteins and their applications. Before joining GFI APAC, she spent two years working in academia and industry developing new talents for the food industry in Thailand. Wasamon holds a Ph.D. in Food Science from University of Massachusetts Amherst and a BSc. in Biochemistry from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand.

Wasamon lives in Singapore.

Thiru maximises GFI’s impact and influence across Asia Pacific through digital content marketing for social media and other online platforms. Prior to joining GFI, Thiru worked at Acumen Academy Malaysia, overseeing the selection and recruitment process for their Fellowship Programme. In addition to her digital marketing experience, Thiru holds a master’s degree in geoscience and is a trained laboratory chemist with a passion for science publication and outreach.

Thiru lives in Singapore.

Valerie is our Innovation Associate at GFI APAC, where she is involved in community building, university outreach, and supporting startups and investors in the alternative protein industry.

Prior to GFI, she gained extensive experience working at various tech companies and startups in marketing and operational roles. She also previously co-founded a social enterprise.

Valerie lives in Singapore. 

Jennifer is GFI APAC’s Corporate Engagement Specialist, working to widen and deepen engagement and partnerships across the alternative protein supply chain. Prior to joining GFI, Jennifer was a strategy consultant for over five years in the Netherlands and Singapore focused on sustainability, social impact, and agriculture. She has worked with multinationals, SMEs, agribusinesses, governments, financial institutions, and nonprofits in the agriculture sector and beyond to design sustainability strategies, develop inclusive supply chains, and forge multi-stakeholder partnerships for systems-wide change. Jennifer holds an MSc in Corporate Social Responsibility and an MA (Hons) in International Relations.

Jennifer lives in Singapore. 

Maanasa is GFI APAC’s SciTech Specialist for cultivated meat. Prior to joining GFI, Maanasa worked as a scientist at Ivy Farm Technologies in the UK, spearheading research into multi-species cultivated meat products. Maanasa is passionate about science communication and has volunteered for various initiatives aimed at increasing engagement between researchers and the general public. She holds a Ph.D. in stem cell glycobiology from the National University of Singapore and a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science from the University of Sheffield. 

Maanasa lives in India. 

Zarinna supports GFI APAC’s operations work, particularly in the areas of finance, human resources, and legal compliance. Zarinna has extensive experience in HR, administration, and events-based roles. She also holds degrees from the Singapore Institute of Management and London School of Economics and Political Science.

Zarinna lives in Singapore.