Dr R. John Wallace, of the Rowett Research Institute in Aberdeen, Scotland (UK), has been awarded the DSM Nutrition Award 2007 in recognition of his pioneering research in the field of animal nutrition. Dr Wallace is one of the world’s leading ruminant nutritionists and has published over 150 original scientific papers that have had a great impact on ruminant nutrition research. An international judging committee, chaired by Dr Manfred Eggersdorfer, R&D Director at DSM Nutritional Products, selected Dr Wallace from among ten candidates nominated by an international nomination committee. Dr Wallace received the award – which carries a cash prize of EUR 50,000 – from DSM’s Chief Innovation Officer Dr Rob van Leen at the 58th Annual Meeting of the European Association for Animal Production in Dublin (IE) on 28 August.

World class research
Dr John Wallace (56), head of the Microbial Biochemistry group at the Rowett Research Institute ( www.rowett.ac.uk), specializes in the field of nutritional physiology of ruminants, i.e. animals such as cows and sheep. The rumen (i.e. the stomach) of these animals, which is a kind of large fermentation vessel in which billions of microbes help process and digest the feed the animals ingest, is a major topic of study among animal nutritionists. Dr Wallace is a world expert in this area. Currently he is coordinator of two EU Framework V and VI research projects focusing on the use of plants and plant extracts to improve animal nutrition. In its verdict, the judging committee commended Dr Wallace’s lifelong dedication to research and the promise his work holds for the future: ‘The committee expects that the outcome of recent research by Dr Wallace’s group will prove useful for the development of a new generation of feed additives for farm animals, also allowing an effective replacement of antibiotic growth promoters by more natural substances.’

At the presentation ceremony in Dublin, Dr Wallace gave a lecture on 'Feed additives for ruminants: chemicals, microbes, plants'. Asked for his reaction on receiving the award, he said: “I am delighted that our work has been recognized in this way. I'd like to thank my many colleagues, both at the Rowett Research Institute and internationally, for the part that they played in the research. Biological feed additives, including microorganisms and plant extracts, have great potential for improving ruminant livestock production. It is important for us to understand how these new additives work in order to maximize that potential.”

The award
The DSM Nutrition Award forms part of DSM’s Innovation Awards Program and is granted every two years, alternately for human nutrition and animal nutrition. With regard to human nutrition, the award recognizes excellence in research that significantly broadens the world’s understanding of the role of nutrition in human health. With regard to animal nutrition, the award is given in recognition of scientific work that has significantly contributed to the improvement of animal nutrition and health through innovative concepts as well as promoting sustainable animal farming. Speaking on the occasion of the award presentation, DSM Chief Innovation Officer Dr Rob van Leen said: "Advances in research and innovation in the field of animal nutrition, one of our main businesses, are of vital importance to us. Recognition of the work of outside specialists and close interaction with the external world of knowledge are key elements of our Open Innovation approach – elements that are both embodied in the DSM Nutrition Award.”

DSM Nutritional Products
DSM Nutritional Products is the world's leading supplier of vitamins, carotenoids and other fine chemicals to the feed, food, pharmaceutical and personal care industries. The business has sales of about EUR 2 billion and a long tradition as a pioneer in the discovery of new products, new formulations and attractive applications for all industry segments. For further company information please visit www.dsmnutritionalproducts.com.