About SIFT

Discover the driving force behind 
WA's food innovation precinct.

The Sustainable Innovative Food Technologies (SIFT) Centre is a collaboration between the WA State Government through the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Future Food Systems CRC, and Murdoch University.  SIFT is a common-use facility, providing a pathway to scale-up food enterprises by reducing the risk and cost involved when significant capital investment is required before commercial scale market testing.  

SIFT supports primary producers, food and beverage businesses, entrepreneurs, and start-ups in scaling-up and mitigating risks associated with business growth. By enabling the development, testing, and commercial production of innovative value- added food and beverage products, SIFT provides access to advanced manufacturing technologies and processes. 

Meet the experts behind SIFT

At the core of SIFT’s mission is a commitment to fostering sustainable growth and innovation within the food and beverage sector.

Our unique collaboration with leading institutions and industry experts provides startups and established businesses with access to comprehensive resources, expert mentoring, and advanced technologies. From concept development to commercialization, SIFT is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs through every step of their journey, ensuring their projects are not just viable but thrive in competitive markets.

David Doepel

Managing Director
With over four decades of experience across industry, academia and government in both Australia and the United States, David brings deep expertise and strategic insight to the role.

David Doepel

David Doepel is the Director of the Sustainable Innovative Food Technologies (SIFT). With over four decades of experience across industry, academia and government in both Australia and the United States, David brings deep expertise and strategic insight to the role. 

A long-time contributor to the agrifood sector, David is also an active producer, with a focus on horticulture, ag-tech and value-added food and beverage products. His previous leadership roles include WA’s inaugural Trade Commissioner to the Americas, policy adviser and speechwriter to Premier Alan Carpenter, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research at Murdoch University. He is also the first author of The Murdoch University Third Commission on Africa. 

David’s combination of hands-on agricultural experience and high-level strategic leadership positions him as the ideal person to guide SIFT in supporting innovation, accelerating commercial outcomes and strengthening capability across Western Australia’s food and beverage sector. 

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Cat McDaid

Food Quality Assurance
Catherine brings extensive experience in quality assurance, driving SIFT’s commitment to excellence and compliance in food technology and innovation.

Catherine McDaid

With a rich background in quality assurance across the food manufacturing landscape of Europe and Australia, Catherine’s journey began at Moy Park, one of Europe’s premier poultry producers. Her career path has seen her make significant contributions to high-growth sectors, including ready-to-eat salads and frozen meals. 

Catherine has been at the forefront of guiding quality sensory teams to successfully launch hundreds of new products and quality standards for existing offerings. At the heart of our operations, Catherine's role is pivotal in ensuring our commitment to excellence in food technology and innovation. 

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Mark Holycross

Food Engineering
Specializing in engineering and manufacturing, Mark applies his expertise to enhance SIFT's operational efficiency and product innovation capabilities.

Mark Holycross

Mark’s journey in engineering and manufacturing began during his undergraduate studies, solving problems relating to sub-irrigation, and developing a tunnel sprayer designed to revolutionise care for dwarf orchard fruit trees. 

Upon completing his university education, Mark delved into agricultural electrification research, sharing his knowledge and expertise by training the next generation of agricultural engineers. Following this, Mark worked on control and automation projects with the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at Michigan State University. 

Mark's return to Australia led him to build factories and design and install production lines for various companies. Before bringing his vast experience to SIFT, Mark served as Senior Project Engineer with Patties Food Group. 

At SIFT, Mark applies his expertise to enhance the Centre’s operational efficiency and product innovation capabilities. 

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We acknowledge that the Sustainable Innovative Food Technologies (SIFT) centre is situated on the lands of the Whadjuk and Binjareb Noongar people. We pay our respects to their enduring and dynamic culture and the leadership of Noongar elders past and present. The boodjar (country) on which Murdoch University is located has, for thousands of years, been a place of learning. We at SIFT are proud to continue this long tradition. Find out more about our commitment to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

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