Science Team

New Image Scientific and Technical Advisory Team

Here at New Image Group, we employ a team of scientists and technicians who understand and work towards enabling the vision of its founder to be realised. That is, health and wellness for all, harnessing the powers of nature in our products. Mother nature designed colostrum as the precious gift of life. Colostrum contains a perfectly balanced composition of antibodies, growth factors, bioactives and nutrients, produced by the mother for the newly born.

There is considerable scientific research showing the effectiveness of colostrum for human health across all ages and you will find a selection of these on this website under Research Articles.

With over 100 years collective experience in the science of nutrition, dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals our scientific team continue to add to this vast knowledge base. The team cover all the major disciplines including nutrition, immunology, biochemistry, dairy technology, and biotechnology and all the company's technical activities from laboratory research through product development, international registrations to customer technical services..

	PETER LEHRKE General Manager Research and Development New Image Group Bachelor of Science (Hons) – Biochemistry Diploma in Nutritional Science (Dip.Nut.Sci.) Peter graduated from Massey University in 1982. He has 30 years experience in human and veterinary pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements and nutritionals. Peter’s career to date includes senior management roles with the world’s largest pharmaceutical company Glaxo Pharmaceuticals, PharmaPacific (division of Fernz Corporation and Nufarm), New Zealand’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturer Douglas Pharmaceuticals and GMP Pharmaceuticals who are New Zealand’s fastest growing contract manufacturer of dietary supplements. His roles have included product development, manufacturing, project management and general management. Peter has project managed the design, build and establishment of Douglas Pharmaceuticals Fiji facility, the first pharmaceutical factory in the Pacific Islands. He grew GMP Pharmaceuticals from $3.5million to $10million in 2006 which went on to win the Natural Products New Zealand industry Exporter of the Year Award in 2007. He has served on the Executive Board of Natural Products New Zealand since 2003. Peter joined New Image Group in January 2007 as head of Research and Development and Technical Teams
	JULIE WILSON Chief Nutritionist New Image Group BHSc (Comp Med), Dip Nat, Dip Herb Med, Dip Bus Julie has a Bachelor of Health Science (Complementary Medicine), a diploma in Naturopathy, a diploma in Herbal Medicine and a diploma in Business Studies. She is a registered member of the New Zealand Society of Naturopaths (NZSN), the Clinical Nutrition Association and is a member of the NZSN committee board. As Chief Nutritionist for New Image, Julie is responsible for the development and presentation of education material; ensuring that all product content is up to date, accurate and complies with regulations; and providing nutritional and natural health support to customers and company representatives. Julie has been a natural medicine practitioner for the past 3 years, running her own private clinic and working as a corporate naturopathic consultant. She has a passion for educating people to make informed decisions about their health and to enable them to integrate natural, holistic practices into their daily living so they can ultimately gain health and vitality. She has a passion for life, natural medicines, food and helping other people realise their potential. Julie joined New Image Group in February 2010.
	TREVOR LOCK Advisor New Image Group MSc (Tech) Hons Biotechnology and Bioengineering Trevor currently owns and operates a consulting business out of his offices in Morrinsville, located in the heart of the world’s richest dairying area. He has been involved in the Dairy industry for the last 19 years in manufacturing, product development and marketing of high value niche nutraceutical compounds extracted or derived from milk. Previously he worked as research chemist on a very high pressure novel technology pilot plant developing a commercial process to manufacture cholesterol-free butter using supercritical carbon dioxide technology. At the conclusion of this project he moved to New Zealand Dairy Group, a founding Fonterra company, as Nutraceuticals Development Manager. As Nutraceuticals Development Manager Trevor was involved in the development of processes for the production and commercialisation of minor bioactive, biopharmaceutical compounds found in milk. The process to manufacture colostrum powder for human consumption was developed during this time, as well as other processes for the isolation of pure milk proteins, bioactive carbohydrate fractions, bioactive milk lipids for use in the nutraceutical and cosmetic industries, and hydrolysed milk protein products for medical food applications. For the last 9 years Trevor has been solely involved with the development of markets for colostrum based nutraceuticals and cosmeceutical products. Trevor has been involved in the development, commercialisation and research in to the properties of colostrum for the last 16 years. He has assisted in the commercialisation of a number of the world’s leading colostrum brands.
	MICHAIL BORISSENKO Advisor New Image Group BSc, MSc Biochemistry Michail has been studying immunity and the immune response now for some 30 years. He has been investigating colostrum for the last 20 years. He began his professional scientific career in the field of biotechnology at Tago Immunodiagnostics, In this capacity he was involved with protein purification, raising of antibodies, and development of various immunoassay systems. As a Scientist at Chiron Corporation he was involved with investigating growth factors and their receptors. As a Research Scientist with the Meat Industry Research Institute of New Zealand he was involved in developing commercial scale isolation methodologies by which high value biochemicals such as growth factors, immunoglobulins, and immune factors could be isolated from industry by-products. As a Research Fellow with The School of Medicine, the University of Auckland he was involved with investigating mucosal immunity and the role of Anti-Phospholipid Syndrome in obstetric and gynaecological disorders – including lupus erythamatosis, preeclampsia, in-uterine growth retardation, and recurrent miscarriage. In his role as Technical Manager with NZ Dairy Ingredients Ltd (NZ Dairy Group) he oversaw the research & development programs associated with colostrum and complex lipids. Currently, Michail is Chief Scientist at the Institute of Colostrum Research. Michail has published over 80 scientific papers on colostrum, immunoglobulins, growth factors, and immune factors and currently has several patents to his credit. Michail is co-author of two books on colostrum, “Microbe Apocalypse” and “Peptide Immunotherapy COLOSTRUM A Physician’s Reference Guide”. Two further books are in manuscript form awaiting publication. Michail lives in the beautiful Bay of Plenty, New Zealand with his wife and their three children.
	PREETI Regulatory Associate New Image Group Master of Science–Chemistry Postgraduate Diploma in Science- Chemistry Bachelor of Science– Chemistry and Biology Certificate in Quality Assurance Preeti has 11 years experience in research, food industry, human and veterinary pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements. She has worked for companies such as Pacific Pharmaceuticals, Nutralife, AsureQuality, University of Auckland and University of the South Pacific. Her roles include; research (natural products and Polymer science), Lab Analyst, Quality Manager and Regulatory Affairs. Preeti gained experience in using and troubleshooting instruments such as HPLC, GC, IR and lab management and gained Quality experience in manufacturing environment (GMP, TGA, RMP), auditing and Quality systems. She also has regulatory experience in registering products in various countries and liaising with regulatory bodies. Preeti joined New Image Group in January 2009 in charge of Quality and Registration.
	SILVANA FOERSTER Product Development Chemist New Image Group Bachelor of Science – Laboratory Engineering & Chemistry Graduated from University of Applied Science in Berlin in 1998 Silvana has 19 years experience in new product development, scaling-up and project management in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry. She has experience with GMP-conform manufacturing of clinical samples. Her career includes senior management positions at pharmaceutical companies in Germany such as Dr. Mann Pharma (division of Bausch & Lomb), Lichtwer Pharma in Berlin and Losan Pharma in the Black Forest. Her biggest achievements include: development of innovative dosage forms of patented drugs overseas; contract development work of an effervescent tablet for BAYER Corporation United States; development of the solid dosage form section at Alpha Laboratories; establishment of the enteric-coating process of Soft Gel Capsules that made Alpha Laboratories the first company in Australasia with this capability Silvana joined New Image Group in December 2009.
	DR MADHUR KULKARNI Scientific Advisor New Image Group Ph. D (Tech.) – Pharmaceutical Sciences Dr. Madhur graduated from Mumbai University, India She has 9 years experience in pharmaceutical industry, dietary supplements, and nutritionals. Madhur worked for 5 years in reputed Indian pharmaceutical companies in the field of formulation research and development and worked in Burroughs Wellcome as a part of Pharmaceuticals manufacturing teamShe worked as a Professor and Head of Pharmaceutics department in Madras University and guided more than 5 graduate and post-graduate research projects during this tenure. Dr. Madhur has authored and co-authored 4 research papers in reputed pharmaceutical journals. Her research work has been published in Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and has received ‘Best Research Paper Award’ for the year 2008. She has presented research work in many national and international symposia. Madhur joined New Image Group in November 2007 and worked in Research and Development and Technical Team until May 2009. She works as scientific advisor for the group to date.