AOAC SPSFAM Meeting Book 9-24

JOHN SZPYLKA, Mérieux NutriSciences Co-Chair, Sugars Working Group

Dr. John Szpylka is the Scientific Affairs Director, Chemistry N.A. with Mérieux NutriSciences where he manages nutritional analytical method development for Mérieux NutriSciences and is a technical leader for chemistry testing in North America. John is a representative to key scientific organizations and regulatory agencies to identify and contribute to food testing standardization for nutritional needs and arising issues. This includes active involvement in organizations including AOACI, AACCI, AOCS, AAFCO, ACIL, and DSQAP. John Szpylka is a Fellow of AOAC International and is a past chair of the AOAC Official Methods Board . He currently serves on numerous Stakeholder Panels and Expert Review

Panels. John also serves as a Board Member for the American Council of Independent Laboratories. Before joining Mérieux NutriSciences, John was a Principal Scientist with General Mills / Medallion Laboratories where he oversaw the development and operation of food analytical methods. John received his doctorate in analytical chemistry from the Ohio State University after receiving a B.S. in chemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

NANCY THIEX, Thiex Laboratory Solutions, LLC. Co-Chair, Sugars Working Group Thiex retired in 2011 after 35 years of service to South Dakota State University, where she managed an Analytical Services Laboratory. Since “retirement” Thiex has provided technical consulting as Thiex Laboratory Solutions LLC. She continues to be active in AAFCO and AOAC and other professional organizations, serving on many working groups, committees and task forces. Two of these volunteer efforts include co-chairing the AAFCO Laboratory Methods and Services Committee and serving as a section editor for JAOAC.

A significant work effort over the past five years has been contributing to the three-association cooperative agreement "Building an Integrated Laboratory System to Advance the Safety of Food and Animal Feed" funded by US FDA. In this effort lead by APHL, she serves as the AAFCO Lead Investigator and Project Manager. She is proud to have been able to contribute to the many valuable deliverables of this collaboration of FDA, APHL, AFDO and AAFCO.