Mei Horng Ong

Dr Ong Mei Horng is currently a Food Specialist (SMF) and Innovation Advisor (IPI) for food enterprises (MNC, SME/LLE and Start-ups) and research agencies. She helps F&B companies to innovate and transform their business via the development of new products & strategies, food services and technologies. She is a certified assessor for the international standard for Industry 4.0 i.e. Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI) and would like to support food companies towards the adoption of the Industry 4.0 advanced manufacturing. In addition, Dr Ong is also a part–time lecturer in Food Science & Technology Dept, NUS, and an expert advisor for the USA Soy Export Council (USSEC) – Asia Soy Excellent Centre – Food Protein in Singapore.

Dr Ong was the Director of the FMCG Cluster at Advanced Remanufacturing Technology Centre (ARTC- A*STAR) where she led the cluster in the development and implementation of A*STAR's R&D strategies and building a new FMCG membership consortium ecosystem to facilitate public-private partnerships for the implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies.

She was the former Chief Scientific Officer, Head of R&D and Technical Services of Fraser & Neave (F&N) Group, during which she focused on R&D and manufacturing strategies and implementation. She has extensive industry experience and deep expertise gained from over 28 years working in food and beverage companies such as Nestlé, Mars, Cadbury, F&N and Vitasoy in Europe, Oceania and Asia.

Dr Ong is a council member of the Singapore Institute of Food Science and Technology (SIFST) and co-chair for the International Union of Food Science and Technology World Congress to be held in Singapore in October 2022. She is also a member of the Technical Working Group for Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) -Standard Development Organization (SDO).

Dr Ong graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Food Science and Management from King’s College, University of London and obtained her Ph.D. in Food Science and Technology from the University of Nottingham in England. She continues her lifelong learning in a multi-disciplinary area e.g. Business Executive Leadership, Innovation and Design Thinking, Data Science, Applications of Digital Transformation and Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence for Senior Executive and Technology.

EXPERTISE

• Open Innovation
• R&D Translation & Commercialisation
• Science & Technology, Digitalisation, Transformation
• Sustainable Food Technology
• Product Development & Management
• Manufacturing Efficiency, Quality and Productivity
• Industry 4.0 Technologies & Diagnostic Assessment
• Talent Development

Companies

• Adjunct Professor National University of Singapore (2018)
• Adjunct Professor (NUS), Food Specialist (ESG-SMF), Innovation Advisor (IPI) NUS, SMF, IPI (2018)
• Director of FMCG Cluster,Strategic Development Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (A*STAR) (2018)
• Chief Scientific Officer, Corporate Research & Development Fraser & Neave Limited (Food & Beverage) (2010 — 2018)
• Group Technical Director Vitasoy International Holding Ltd (2008 — 2010)
• Science & Technology Director China Cadbury Schweppes (2005 — 2008)
• Senior Research and Development Manager Mars Australia and New Zealand (2001 — 2005)
• Nestle and Nestec UK, Australia and Asia Nestle (1995 — 2001)

Education

• PhD University of Nottingham (1990 — 1994)
• BSc (Hons) King's College London (1987 — 1990)
• University of Nottingham
• University of London