Dr Edward Walker is a scientist and lecturer, who believes that developing a healthy relationship with food is key for long-term wellness. He works at The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research, undertaking commercially focused research of nutraceutical products for human health applications, with a focus on clinical validation of lab-based results. He is also a guest lecturer at the University of Auckland on the topic of nutraceuticals and functionals foods.Over the last 13 years Edward’s primary research focus has been the investigation of plant-based appetite suppressants that may reduce hunger and support healthy food choices. This work led to the development of a novel NZ hops-based appetite suppressant, that shares an overlapping mode of action with a new class of effective GLP-1 based anti-obesity drugs.He is passionate about plant-based nutraceuticals and believes that with the appropriate scientific research, they have the potential to improve health and even prevent or delay the development of chronic disease.