Sharon A. Norton, Ph.D. is the Director of Companion Animal Research & Technical Support for Diamond V in the Cargill Health Technologies (CHT) group. She leads the advancement of evidence-based research across all CHT companion animal initiatives. She has 34 years of experience in product and program development in pet, agricultural and human nutrition sectors at Cargill Animal Nutrition, the Mathile Institute for the Advancement of Human Nutrition, Proctor & Gamble, the IAMS Company and Wayne Feeds. She has authored many peer-reviewed papers, whitepapers, technical bulletins and has been a featured presenter at many scientific and industry conferences and keynote addresses.