Experienced biological scientist Dr Sharon Gossage joined Elemental Enzymes in June 2022 as regional director of regulatory affairs for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific regions.
In that role she looks after everything associated with regulation and legislation of fertilisers, biostimulants and plant-protection products entering markets for sale.
Based in Australia, Dr Gossage came to Elemental Enzymes with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in applied microbiology, a Master of Science in applied parasitology and medical entomology, and a PhD in molecular parasitology.
After working as post-doctoral research scientist in infectious diseases in the UK for around six years, Dr Gossage moved into the role of regulatory scientist for the UK Chemical Regulation Division of the Health and Safety Executive.
“In that role I was dealing with and assessing industry submissions for registration of plant-protection products and approval of active ingredients.”
Shortly after moving to Australia in 2014, Dr Gossage began working for Queensland-based DTS Regulatory Consulting, drafting scientific dossiers for client companies to submit to the APVMA and to New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines agency (ACVM).
Dr Gossage first worked with Elemental Enzymes while at DTS Regulatory Consulting.
“I was their consultant for about three years. When I was seeking a change of horizon, Elemental Enzymes offered me my current position. I was extremely excited to join the team, as I already had a good working relationship with them and loved their vision for the future.”
Dr Gossage said Elemental Enzymes was carving out a new pathway and developing novel products that enabled and supported sustainable farming practices and improved agriculture from both a human-health and environmental perspective.
She said the company is working to bring products of low hazard, low human-toxicity, and low environmental-toxicity to the agricultural market.
“This will provide growers with alternative products to fight ever-growing disease and crop-growth issues, at the same time satisfying increasing demand for less toxic chemistries.
“With many actives being lost due to toxicity issues (both to human health and environmentally), growers need clean alternatives that will still provide efficacy to protect and enhance their crops.”
Recently returned from Elemental Enzymes headquarters in St Louis USA, Dr Gossage said everyone in the company is passionate about what they do – from the CEO to the receptionists.
“There really is a great feeling of teamwork and a true belief in what we are trying to achieve – to assist in some way towards sustainable agriculture feeding a growing population, under ever-increasing legislative demands for cleaner, less-toxic products.
“I personally am very much a believer in us ‘having to do better’ as a species, to preserve this planet and restore the damage we have already done.
“I think EE is playing their part in this. For me, that makes them an amazing company to be part of.”
