Ingredient manufacturer Kemin Industries has appointed Rebecca Lucas as Director of R&D for its human nutrition and health business unit.
Lucas has spent 10 years at the company and its industries, in roles across R&D, marketing and strategic acquisition. Since 2018, she has worked with MedPharm Iowa, owned by Kemin President and CEO Dr Chris Nelson, where she helped launch the licensed manufacturer of medical cannabis. As Technical Development Manager, Lucas supported a line of products, advocated for legislation to increase patients' access to medical cannabis, boosted physician and community outreach efforts and advanced expansion efforts for MedPharm Iowa outside of the state.
With her return to Kemin, Lucas will lead all aspects of discovery research, product development and formulation activities from concept to commercialisation.
"We are pleased to have Rebecca leading our R&D team as director and are excited to bring her decade of experience in various areas of Kemin to our business unit," said José Piccolotto, President, Kemin Human Nutrition and Health. "Rebecca's time at MedPharm Iowa also adds even greater technical and research knowledge of plant derived molecules, which will drive new market innovations for Kemin Human Nutrition and Health. We look forward to seeing where Rebecca takes R&D in the future."
In her role, Lucas will be responsible for setting the strategic direction for product development and commercialisation activities within the business unit.
"I am thrilled to be back at Kemin. The company has a great culture of infusing creativity and collaboration into the scientific process," said Lucas. "Kemin Human Nutrition and Health already has a great base of clinically studied molecules in platforms such as immunity, eye health, sleep and cognition, and I look forward to exploring what new science-backed solutions we can bring to the market to support quality of life for people around the world."
Lucas received a bachelor's degree in microbiology from Iowa State University and Master of Business Administration from Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa.
