"A great combination of academic qualifications and hands on experience"

Judith DeGroot (B.Rur.Sc.) - Consultant and Principal

As joint owner of the business, Judith strives for a high level of professional service to clients assisting them to obtain regulatory approvals for their products so as to reach the market as quickly and efficiently as possible.

After working for a number of companies, including Incitec, BASF and Retec, Judith started DeGroot Technical Services as an independent consulting business in 1993. She has worked in the regulatory area for over 30 years through the enormous changes that have taken place in registration requirements.

Judith is a Bachelor of Rural Science graduate from the University of New England in Armidale. Judith's experience includes product development, preparation of technical brochures and safety manuals, formulation development, as well as  experience with the Australian Regulatory systems (both state and national).

Gavin Hall (B.Sc. Hons) - Senior Consultant

For most of 1994 to 2007 Gavin worked for the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). Gavin's roles have included :    

• Manager, Insecticides Team, Pesticides Program
• Manager, Data Protection Implementation Unit
• Key Project Officer, Fees Review
• Senior Evaluator, Pesticides Program

From his different roles at the APVMA Gavin has an in-depth knowledge of the requirements and processes necessary for the registration of products. Gavin has an extensive network both within Government and the chemical and agricultural industries. He has a keen interest in biologically derived products as well as vertebrate pest control products.

Gavin has a Bachelor of Science degree with Honours from the Australian National University in Canberra.

Simon Christen (B. Sc) – Consultant

Simon has extensive experience in analytical chemistry, having also worked as a Chemistry and Residues Evaluator with the AMPVA. He graduated from the Australian National University with a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in organic chemistry and biochemistry. After graduating, Simon was employed as a chemist with the ACT Government Analytical Laboratory for 11 years. During this time he gained valuable experience in food and residue chemistry, environmental air monitoring, clinical chemistry and toxicology.

In 2000, Simon started with the APVMA as a Chemical and Residues Evaluator. He gained extensive experience approving active constituents and registering products with chemical and residue components. In addition, he conducted assessment of minor permit approvals, chemical review data and formulated Animal Product Data Sheets.

In late 2007, Simon and his family moved to Brisbane and started working for the Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services as a supervising chemist. The role encompassed overseeing the day-to-day functioning of the organic chemistry section. The laboratory’s main responsibilities lay in the testing of micro-pollutants, including pesticide residues in a wide range of constituents. The last couple of years have seen the increasing importance of chemical regulatory testing for recycled water and pesticide monitoring of urban and environmental water discharge.

Nerida O'Shea (B.SC. Hons) - Consultant

Nerida joined DeGroot Technical Services as a Part-time Consultant in 2004. After gaining her Bachelor of Science with Honours in Chemistry from the University of Queensland in 1986, Nerida has enjoyed a varied career both in Australia and in the United Kingdom.

Nerida started her career as a chemist in quality control and occupational health laboratories, before moving into pharmacological research, first for the Neuropharmacology Group at the University of Queensland, then for the Clinical Pharmacology Group at the University of Southampton in the UK. In 1992, Nerida joined the Molecular Plant Physiology Group of the Australian National University in Canberra providing technical support within the biochemistry and molecular biology laboratory. In 1996, Nerida gained the position of Patent Examiner for IP Australia where she reviewed patent applications in the areas of organic chemistry pharmacology. Nerida brings her excellent background in chemistry and biology, plus her wide-ranging scientific experience to DeGroot Technical Services and has quickly established herself as an effective member of our team, both technically and with excellent client rapport.

Stellina Popplewell (Assoc. Dip. Applied Sc (Chemical Technology)) - Consultant

Stellina has an Associate Diploma of Applied Science in Chemical Technology from the Sydney Institute of Technology. She started her introduction to the chemical industry as a Perfumer Assistant for Givaudan-Roure and quickly moved into the role of Fragrance Evaluator before moving to QLD. She then joined Campbell Brothers Limited from 1996 to 2007 where she began her career as a Technical Service Chemist gaining a broad knowledge of the chemical manufacturing industry. Her passion for regulatory affairs saw her move into that area and was the primary person responsible for managing, implementing and maintaining regulatory compliance for Campbell Chemical.

Stellina’s major achievements have included:

• TGA registrations for registrable and listable products
• APVMA registrations for new and existing Agricultural and Veterinary products
• AQIS registrations for products used in export meat establishments
• Product classification, label and material safety data sheet compliance for formulated products

Stellina brings a broad knowledge and experience in not only with the various government bodies and legislation but also the chemical manufacturing industry. She is an Associate Member of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute Inc.

Michelle Wright – Administration and Finance Manager

Michelle had been working within the financial services industry for 13 years prior to joining DeGroot Technical Services. She has a Certificate III in Financial Services, is a Registered BAS Agent and is working towards the completion of her Diploma in Accounting. 

Michelle's extensive experience within the administrative and accounting environments brings a high level of knowledge and skill to this role. Her roles over the years have been particularly client focused and as such Michelle prides herself on delivering the best possible service to DeGroot Technical Services clients. 

Ron DeGroot (B.App.Sc.Hons; B.Comm) – Business Manager

Ron has had a successful career in the agricultural chemical and fertiliser industries in a wide range of senior management, commercial and technical roles. During the nineties he headed up the Technology and Development group at Crop Care Australasia. Ron has extensive international business experience, including export development.

He has had a strong industry leadership profile particularly with stewardship and quality systems with management roles at Agsafe, (agricultural chemical accreditation) and PestCert (pest management accreditation).

As part owner Ron is specifically responsible for the assurance and support services to the consultancy team assisting clients achieve their goals.

Ron is joint coordinator of the annual symposium series 'Advances in Biology and Research of Urban pests' (ABRUP series).