Dist. Prof Harjinder Singh, CNZM, FRSNZ

Riddet Institute Fellow Laureate | Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | FIAFoST, FIFT

Harjinder Singh is an internationally acclaimed scientist and Distinguished Professor. He was the Director of the Riddet Institute, a National Centre of Research Excellence in food science and nutrition, from 2018-2025. He co-founded and was co-Director of the Institute from 2008-2017.

Area of Expertise
Professor Singh’s research has focused on food science, food proteins and ingredient functionality, functional foods and the food structure-nutrition interface, dairy science and technology. He is a world-renowned food scientist, with a high academic profile (over 475 publications, H-index 104) and extensive experience in working and consulting with the New Zealand and international food industry (e.g. Nestle, PepsiCo).

Professor Singh is the Co-Founder of Miruku Ltd (2022) and Saber Foods Ltd (2023). He is also the Inaugural Editor-in Chief for the AOCS Sustainable Food Proteins Journal.

Professor Singh stepped down as Director of the Riddet Institute at the end of 2025. In recognition of his past and ongoing contributions, he accepted the position of Riddet Institute Fellow Laureate. This title is honorific and is the highest honour bestowed by the Institute. He is still actively involved in the Institute's international research programme.

Awards & Honours
  • New Year’s Honours - appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit on recognition of services to food science (2025)
  • Royal Society of New Zealand, Te Aparangi Pickering Medal (2024)
  • Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in honour of Nicolas Appert Institute of Food Technologist, USA (2024)
  • Research.com Chemistry Leader Award for 2024 (ranked #784 in the world ranking and #3 in New Zealand
  • ScholarGPS inaugural Highly Ranked Scholar (2024)
  • Highest-ranked Food Scientist in NZ (ranking collated over scientists’ entire career by Stanford University 2023)
  • American Dairy Association Distinguished Service Award (2018)
  • International Dairy Foods Association Research Award in Dairy Foods Processing, USA (2015).
  • Distinguished Professor award, Massey University (2013).
  • Co-recipient of the Prime Minister’s Science Prize (2012), the most prestigious science honour in New Zealand.
  • Shorland Medal (2011) by the New Zealand Association of Scientists. This medal is in recognition of major and continued contribution to basic or applied research that has added significantly to scientific understanding or resulted in significant benefits to society.
  • JC Andrews Award (2011) by the New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology. This is the Institute’s most prestigious award and recognises individuals who have made a substantial contribution to science and technology and leadership in the food industry.
  • Awarded William C. Haines Dairy Science Award (2008) by the California Dairy Research Foundation (USA) for making outstanding contributions to dairy science and dairy industry worldwide.
  • Awarded Massey University Research Medal (individual) (2008) for distinction in research.
  • Awarded Marschall Rhodia International Dairy Science Award (2001). This highly prestigious award given by the American Dairy Science Association recognizes outstanding accomplishments in research and development by a researcher outside the USA and Canada in chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, technology, and engineering pertaining to the dairy foods industries.
  • Awarded Massey University Research Medal (Team) (2005) for making outstanding research contributions and team leadership.
  • Selected as ISI Highly Cited Researcher for exceptional citation count in the field of Agricultural Science (2006). Ranked top 15 in the world in the period 1996-2006 by Science Watch (Thompson Scientific, USA).
Fellowships
  • Elected Fellow of the United States Institute of Food Technology (2015) in recognition of outstanding contribution to the food science and technology field.
  • Elected Fellow of Royal Society of New Zealand (2002) in recognition of distinction in research and the advancement of science.
  • Elected Fellow of the International academy of Food Science and Technology, (2006). This fellowship recognises outstanding contributions to the field of food science and advancement of knowledge.
  • Elected Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology, (2006). This fellowship recognises outstanding contributions to the field of food science and technology.
  • Elected Fellow of the United States Institute of Food Technologists (2015) in recognition of outstanding contributions to the food science and technology field.
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