Meet the Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Damian is passionate about the development and commercialisation of innovative technology. He has over 20 years’ senior leadership experience across the agritech, biotech, aerospace, medical device, engineering and advanced manufacturing sectors. Having led pre-revenue start-up teams, through to established teams of 200+.

Damian holds a BSc in Biochemistry and a BCom in Marketing Management (1st class honours) from the University of Otago and is a Chartered Member of the NZ Institute of Directors.

COMMERCIAL MANAGER

Craig is a recognized expert in the field of biologicals with over 18 years of experience in insect pathology and biological control. He was instrumental in developing both efficient production methodologies and robust quality control standards for baculovirus production and Sterile Insect Technique into the South African Citrus industry. Craig holds an MSc in Plant Pathology, a PhD in Entomology, and an MBA from Rhodes University in South Africa.

Leading our trial work and go to market activities, Craig ensures Cellora’s biological solutions are well researched, technically robust and highly efficacious.

BIOLOGY LEAD

Jenna is an expert in the field of evolutionary microbiology. She holds a PhD in microbial genetics from Massey University (NZ) and has over 20 years’ experience of working with microbes. For the last 10 years she has been running a research group at the Max Planck Institute in Germany, investigating the molecular mechanisms by which bacterial genomes undergo major evolutionary changes. She has publications in several leading scientific journals including Nature, Molecular and Evolutionary Biology, eLife, Nucleic Acids Research, and Microbiology.

Heading our microbial research and development team, Jenna’s goal is to provide robust and thorough insights into all aspects of our microbial work.

CHEMISTRY LEAD

Terence is an expert in synthetic and bioactive compound chemistry. He holds a PhD in synthetic chemistry from the University of Auckland (NZ) and leads the chemistry programme at Cellora, where he applies advanced analytical chemistry and bioactive characterisation to understand how small molecules, peptides, and proteins behave in complex biological systems.

At Cellora, Terence heads the chemistry team and runs our suite of bioreactors, overseeing bioactive discovery pipelines, optimisation of lead molecules, and their translation into stable, scalable formulations. He works closely with the biology team to ensure that each product is supported by robust chemical and biophysical data while also meeting the practical requirements of manufacturing and on‑farm use, helping deliver high‑performing, sustainable biological solutions.

BIOASSAY LEAD

Matthew completed his BSc (Biological Sciences, Environmental Science) with the University of Auckland in 2019. He has since worked in the biologicals industry, with much of that time spent garnering intimate knowledge around the laboratory-rearing and bioassay of diamondback moth, amongst other insect species. At Cellora, Matthew manages the in-house insectary and grow room ensuring all insects and plants produced for testing are of the highest standard. Matthew is dedicated towards providing Cellora with robust and reliable bioassay data to help further research objectives, and is passionate about developing safe, sustainable and highly efficacious biological products in line with Cellora’s vision.

LAB TECHNICIAN

Remya is an experienced quality and laboratory professional with a background in environmental science and biochemistry, and over 6 years’ experience across QC, R&D, and technical operations in New Zealand and India. She has worked in water and wastewater analysis, food and environmental microbiology, and manufacturing quality systems, holding roles at Bostik NZ, Hill Labs, Eurofins Food and Water NZ, Prakriti Biotech, and as Assistant Manager in a high-throughput food service environment.​

Leading and supporting laboratory workflows and cross-functional teams, Remya’s goal is to deliver reliable, timely, and compliant data and processes that underpin safe products, efficient operations, and informed decision-making.

DIRECTOR (CHAIR) and SCIENCE ADVISOR

Emeritus Distinguished Professor Dame Alison Stewart is a seasoned research scientist with a 40-year career specialising in sustainable crop protection technologies. She has led major research programs at Auckland and Lincoln Universities, focusing on developing bioactive microbes for pest and disease control, resulting in five commercialised products in New Zealand.

In 2013, Prof Stewart moved to the USA as Chief Scientist and Senior VP of R&D at Marrone Bio Innovations, gaining valuable commercial insights. Upon returning to New Zealand, she became CEO of The Foundation for Arable Research, advancing bio-based products for sustainable crop protection.

Prof Stewart is a Fellow of the NZ Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Science and the Australasian Plant Pathology Society and was honoured as Dame Companion of the NZ Order of Merit in 2025.

She is based in Christchurch and serves as a director of Blis Technologies Ltd
(NZX: BLT).

DIRECTOR

Having grown up on a farm, Juliet has 35 years’ experience in the agri sector, both hands on operations, leadership and governance. Juliet is co-founder of both the Canterbury-based dairy business, Synlait and Onside, a Christchurch-based, award-winning Agritech business. Juliet holds various governance roles across agri, tech and property businesses. With investments in these entities, Juliet is motivated to use her experience and knowledge to encourage success in these businesses. She holds a B Agr Degree from Massey University, is a Nuffield Scholar and Kellogg Rural Leader. Alongside her business interests, Juliet is curious about the impact of great leadership on the performance of teams and the value of taking a systems approach to operations, in both the biological world and business.

DIRECTOR

Kelvin has over 20 years of technology commercialisation, innovation management and international business experience across the spectrum of healthcare segments including biotech, pharma, devices, digital, nutrition and CPG. He has experience building high-growth businesses in European, Asian and North American markets. He has formal qualifications in Biotechnology (Hons) and Chemical Engineering (Masters) from the University of Auckland and is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors.

DIRECTOR

Michael is an accomplished business leader with global experience across a range of sectors. Michael previously worked for investment bank Credit Suisse in New Zealand and New York. He was CEO of Carter Holt Harvey, a leading Australasian building supplies manufacturer. More recently, Michael has worked with entrepreneurs and business owners to realise the full potential of their businesses.

Michael is Chair of Onside (as co-founder), NextMinute (as co-founder) and South Pacific Fire Protection. He has a Bachelor of Business Management (First Class Honours) from Waikato University.

CHIEF COMMERCIAL ADVISOR

Through Andrew’s career with the leading multinational agribusiness Syngenta, he gained extensive leadership and commercial experience in agriculture. After serving the Australasian business, Andrew spent twenty years in roles including Regional Director and Country President where led multibillion-dollar business units in Asia Pacific and Europe, Africa and the Middle East and was a member of Syngenta’s Global Crop Protection leadership team.

In 2017, Syngenta became the largest publicly listed company to be acquired by a Chinese company and become part of the ChemChina group. As Regional Director of China, Andrew led the establishment of the China regional business unit after the acquisition.

Now living in the Yarra Valley in Victoria, Australia, Andrew is a non-executive director and serves on the Boards of Cotton Seed Distributors and Bio-Gene Technology (ASX: BGT) and Terragen (ASX: TGH)