Analytical scientist Harvey Indyk Ph.D., a 28-year AOAC INTERNATIONAL member, has received New Zealand’s highest honor for service in recognition of his contributions to analytical chemistry. Dr. lndyk is internationally recognized for his work in advanced methods for analyzing vitamin micronutrients and proteins in infant formula and other dairy-based foods.
The New Zealand Order of Merit recognizes outstanding service to the Crown and people of New Zealand in a civil or military capacity, as well as individuals distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits. The news was part of the 2020 New Year’s Honours List announcement on December 31, 2019.
Dr. Indyk was one of 80 new Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) appointed by Queen Elizabeth II on the advice of the New Zealand government. Harvey will be invested in the spring and will receive a ribbon with a silver-gilt badge, after which he will be known as Harvey Indyk, ONZM.
Some of his pioneering techniques include applying high-performance liquid chomatography platforms to micronutrient analysis, applying inductively coupled plasma for multi-element analysis, and adopting optical biosensor technology to analyze micronutrients and milk proteins. Many are used globally and are reference methods within AOAC, ISO, and Codex.
Indyk currently works part-time as Senior Research Scientist at Fonterra Cooperative Group in New Zealand, where his leadership was credited with creating a world class micronutrient testing laboratory. An AOAC member since 1992 and a regular Expert Reviewer for the Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL, Indyk has received numerous AOAC awards including International Expert Review Panel Member of the Year in 2012 and 2015 and AOAC Method of the Year in 2017 and was made a Fellow of AOAC INTERNATIONAL in 2001.
Indyk has also participated on many AOAC Expert Review Panels (ERPs) reviewing candidate analytical methods for adoption as AOAC Official Methods of Analysis.
Indyk was highly active in working groups for AOAC’s Stakeholder Panel for Infant Formula and Adult Nutritionals (SPIFAN) program, and contributed a great amount of expertise and insight with regards to the analysis of a wide range of nutrients including biotine, carnitine, folic acid, fructose, inositol, nucleotides, pantothenic acid, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K.
Indyk has developed and co-authored a number of important analytical methods published by AOAC, including analysis of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 in infant and adult nutritional formulas by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, determination of biotin and folate in infant formula and milk by optical biosensor-based immunoassay, determination of immunoglobulin G in bovine colostrum and milk by direct biosensor SPR-immunoassay, analysis of 5′-mononucleotides in infant formula and adult/pediatric nutritional formula by liquid chromatography: first action 2011.20; determination of vitamin K in milk and infant formulas by liquid chromatography: collaborative study, and free and total myo-inositol contents of early lactation and seasonal bovine milk.
“It is through the expertise and dedication of AOAC members and volunteers like Harvey that AOAC’s Official Methods of Analysis are recognized worldwide as standards for food safety analytical science,” says Scott Coates, Senior Director of the Research Institute at AOAC INTERNATIONAL.