Dr Peter Varelis is an applications chemist with Shimadzu Scientific Australia where he manages a team of chemists. Prior to joining Shimadzu he was a principal scientist and team leader at Food Standards Australia New Zealand. He trained as an organic chemist and has more than 20 years of research experience in both government and industry. His research interest is the application of mass spectrometry to the analysis of organic compounds that have implications for human health and nutrition. Peter obtained his PhD from the University of Western Australia. He was research professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology and principal research scientist with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization in Australia. From 2007 through to 2011, Peter was a theme leader with the National Centre for Food Protection and Defense.