Virna Cerne

Birthplace: Milan, Italy
Director, Dr. Schär R&D Centre, Dr. Schär AG / SPA 

“Over the years, there has been a strong increase in scientific knowledge and people's awareness of how much health reflects, or depends on, our diet and how many health disorders and diseases can be solved, greatly reduced or prevented with adequate and targeted nutrition, sometimes consisting of food products that meet special needs.” 

Born in 1969 in Milan, Virna Cerne obtained her Master’s degree in food science and technology at the University of Udine, having completed her experimental research thesis at the University of Gembloux in Belgium. Virna first worked at Zuegg Frucht AG, a fruit-based food preparations company in Berlin, before beginning her career at Dr. Schär. For more than two decades, she has directed research and development at Dr. Schär, working on the development of food products for people with special nutritional needs relating to coeliac disease, renal disorders and the keto diet. She is currently Senior Director of Global Research & Development at Dr. Schär. Together with the research team there, she has been granted 19 patents to date. Her inventions help patients live healthier lifestyles at the same time as giving them tasty dietary alternatives.