Page 38 - NYAA GAHA 30th Anniversary "Service Beyond Gold"

Dr Marina S. Chow

Research & Development Portfolio Leader

Health & Biosciences, IFF
NYAA Gold Award Holder (1998 Cohort)

Dr Marina Chow is a distinguished scientist and continues to mentor colleagues globally through
leader in industrial biotechnology, with more than the IFF Mentoring Programme, fostering a culture
17 years of experience driving R&D, innovation, of collaboration, technical agility, and professional
and product commercialisation. Her career reflects growth.
not only scientific excellence but also her enduring
commitment to mentorship, community service, and Her contributions extend far beyond the laboratory.
cross-cultural engagement, embodying the GAHA Marina actively organises three annual blood drives
spirit of ‘Service Beyond Gold.’ at her workplace, fundraises for farm workers and
their children through ALAS, and mobilises support
As R&D Portfolio Leader for Grain Processing at IFF, for back-to-school drives and disaster relief efforts,
Marina oversees global innovation in fuel ethanol, including for the 2020 California wildfires and
carbohydrate processing, and protein production. the Iowa derecho storm. Known affectionately by
She leads project prioritisation, IP strategy, and colleagues as the ‘resident beggar,’ she channels
cross-functional collaborations, aligning R&D with her energy into uniting people for good causes and
future business needs. Her role includes mentoring building stronger communities.
scientists, securing resources, and ensuring that
inventions are translated into commercially successful Dr Marina Chow’s journey is a testament to the power
products. She also serves on the Crop Biologicals of science in serving both industry and society.
Ventures Leadership Team, where she drives project Through her pioneering research, people-centred
discipline and stakeholder alignment to accelerate leadership, and tireless community engagement, she
sustainable biotechnology solutions. continues to inspire the next generation of scientists
and leaders.
Her earlier career at DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences
(Genencor) saw her leading the development and “Science and leadership find their true meaning
commercialisation of enzyme and yeast products when they not only innovate in the lab but also uplift
for biofuels and animal feed applications. She has communities in need.”
executed more than 20 full-scale customer trials,
successfully transferring innovation from the lab to
industrial facilities, and has co-authored multiple
patents advancing the biotechnology field.

A committed mentor and people developer,
Marina has managed and guided diverse teams
of scientists and technicians across the US. She

36 30 Years of Service and Leadership