STAKEHOLDER PANEL ON INFANT FORMULA AND
ADULT NUTRITIONALS (SPIFAN)
Ping Feng,
Consultant
SPIFAN Working Group Co-Chair, Amino Acids
Ms. Ping Feng joined Wyeth Nutrition as a Biochemist in 1991. Since then, she has
contributed to several infant formula protein innovations including first age
products with hydrolyzed protein, soy protein, and whey protein with enriched
alpha-lactalbumin. Each of these innovations was supported by the development
and validation of methods for amino acid analysis, individual intact protein quantification and molecular
weight profile determination. In preparation for product launches, she transferred analytical assays to
Quality labs of the lead manufacturing site. In 2006, Ms. Feng was appointed as manager of the protein
analytical lab and in this role, provided managerial and technical leadership. Her bilingual skills in
English and Mandarin have also been instrumental in the technical support she provides to Quality and
Regulatory teams in China.
Ms. Feng’s laboratory expertise includes proficiency with HPLC, UPLC, and all aspects of protein and
amino acid analysis in infant formula matrix and biological samples. Her methods for alpha-lactalbumin
using gel permeation chromatography and amino acids using UPLC have been presented at AOAC. Her 9-
country human milk amino acid composition results have been presented at Experimental Biology.
In
August 2013, Ms. Feng was awarded
2013 Single Laboratory Validation Study of the Year
by AOAC
for the study entitled
: AOAC Official Method 2012.08 Whey Protein Content in Milk-Based Infant
Formula Finished Products Using Amino Acids Calculation Method.
The related method was published at
Journal of AOAC
International
(2013) 98, 4, 795-797.
After leaving Wyeth Nutrition in June 2013 due to the lab closing, Ms. Feng currently works as a
consultant for analytical method validation following ICH guidelines at Alcon/Novartis in Fort Worth, TX.
Prior to joining Wyeth, Ms. Feng worked as a project liaison in Ministry of Petroleum Industry of China
and a chemical engineer in the environmental industry. Ms. Feng graduated from Beijing Institute of
Technology with a BSc in 1982 in Chemical Engineering and a MS from West Chester University in 1990
in Analytical Chemistry. She also completed course work for Drug Development in QA/RA and obtained a
Certificate from Temple University.
Wesley Jacobs,
Abbott Nutrition
SPIFAN Working Group Co-Chair, Amino Acids
Dr. Jacobs is a Principal Research Scientist with Abbott Nutrition and has over 30 years of experience
with analytical instrumentation, bio-analytical methods, and nutrient analysis. After completing his
Ph.D. at Purdue University he spent several years working for a small manufacturer of laboratory
instrumentation, in a variety of roles, but with emphasis on applications development and technical
support to end users. After moving to Abbott, he was initially responsible for managing a small group
focused on clinical analysis but is now focused almost entirely on supporting product development, as
well as commercial manufacturing operations, through the development and implementation of
appropriate analytical methods, design of data collection strategies, and analysis/interpretation of data.
He has been and continues to be, involved in a variety of nutrient areas including amino acids,
carbohydrates (sugars, fiber, and oligosaccharides), water soluble vitamins, carnitine, choline, and
inositol. He currently leads a small group of experienced scientists covering a wide range of
applications.
