Scientific Advisors: Shaping COMET’s Research Strategy
COMET is the only company with the intellectual property and expertise needed to create Arrabina®, an arabinoxylan-rich prebiotic fiber. Arabinoxylan is an FDA-recognized with superior gut tolerance and clinically proven prebiotic health benefits. Through an innovative upcycling process—using only steam, water, and pressure—the naturally occurring plant nutrition is extracted from wheat straw, providing a proprietary, high-quality, and sustainable ingredient to the market.
How did we get here? Our vision and direction have been shaped by the insights of both internal and external experts, who have guided COMET’s growth and strategic development. Recognizing the importance of collaboration with leaders in nutrition and microbiological sciences to validate our strategies and research, COMET is proud to showcase its Scientific Advisory Board. This board is made up of highly qualified professionals with decades of relevant experience.
To offer insight into their motivations, we’ve asked a few members of our external SAB to share why they chose to become scientific advisors for COMET. Here’s what they had to say.
External Experts
“A few reasons stand out for me. First, as a Registered Dietitian, I have always been very passionate about dietary fibers, as they are one of few nutrients (if not the only nutrient) present in all whole plant foods where encouraging intake is likely better for human health than the avoidance of harmful nutrients. Arabinoxylans are particularly exciting, as they are the fibers commonly found in whole grains, which are central foods to many dietary patterns across the world. Second, Arrabina provides a clean and sustainable alternative to other prebiotic ingredients that are in the market, while also having evidence to indicate good gastrointestinal tolerance at physiologically meaningful doses. And third, I think COMET’s technology lends itself to an exciting and innovative approach that makes it possible for unconsumable agricultural residuals to be converted to high-value ingredients like Arrabina. Considering global challenges like climate change, supporting such sustainable approaches is important.”
— Edward Deehan, Ph.D., RDN
“I am excited to join the Scientific Advisory Board of COMET because of the company’s commitment to innovation in sustainable nutrition. Arrabina stands out as a unique prebiotic fiber derived from arabinoxylan oligosaccharides, offering both scientifically backed health benefits and environmental sustainability. The ability to upcycle agricultural side streams into a functional ingredient aligns with the future of food science—creating solutions that support both human health and planetary well-being. Personally, I am passionate about the science of dietary fiber and its critical role in human health. Collaborating with Comet allows me to support the advancement of evidence-based solutions that not only improve health but also contribute to sustainable food innovation. I look forward to contributing my expertise to help shape the future of functional nutrition.”
— Kristin Verbeke, Ph.D.
INTERNAL EXPERTS
Andrew Richard, Ph.D.
COMET Founder and CTO, Andrew, is an expert in biochemical engineering with a deep passion for upcycling materials and sustainable manufacturing. He is committed to finding purposeful uses for all materials and byproducts, maximizing their potential while minimizing waste. As the inventor behind COMET’s patent portfolio—comprising more than 250 patents—he also co-leads the brand’s pre-clinical and clinical studies, driving innovation every step of the way.
Hannah Ackermann, RD
COMET’s VP of Marketing & Nutrition Affairs, Hannah, brings a unique blend of expertise in dietetics, marketing, and journalism. With extensive experience in global market research and public relations, she has provided nutrition consulting to top food, beverage, and food service brands. Hannah uses her expertise to educate customers on the health benefits of Arrabina while identifying and evaluating opportunities for future research.
At COMET, we value the scientific experts who guide and support research on the role that Arrabina dietary fibers can play in health and wellness. We are grateful for their counsel as we determine priorities, strategies and direction to validate the powerful nutritional value of our prebiotic ingredients. Stay tuned for pre-clinical and clinical work coming through the pipeline thanks to their innovative thinking.
