Luke R. Bucci, PhD, CCN, CNS—one of the key parties responsible for creating the mass market’s joint health category by introducing glucosamine-chondroitin combination products in 1991—has joined Novel Ingredient Services as vice president of product innovation. 

A 30-year veteran of the natural products industry, Dr. Bucci hold a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is also a Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN) and Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS). His wide-ranging expertise includes new ingredient/product assessment and development, as well as designing research that meets manufacturers’ quality, safety, and efficacy specifications. In his new position, Dr. Bucci will be identifying, developing, and refining novel ingredients, as well as heading the company’s scientific clinical research endeavors. He reports to Novel president Peter Bradley.

"Luke Bucci is one of our industry’s luminaries," said Bob Green, Novel chairman. "With his leadership and expertise, Novel will be able to bring to market even more ingredients that offer innovation, efficacy, and cost-efficiency; develop new technologies; and provide our customers with greater insight into ingredient research."

Dr. Bucci’s career achievements are exceptional. He has conducted preclinical and human clinical studies on the effects of dietary supplements, overseen product claim substantiation, assessed new technologies, and brought new dietary supplements to market. He holds several patents on clinical laboratory testing methods and dietary supplements. Dr. Bucci is a recognized author and lecturer with four texts, eleven book chapters, and hundreds of journal articles and lectures to his credit. An expert in regulatory issues, Dr. Bucci has taught Dietary Supplement Laws & Regulations at the University of Utah. He has also provided expert commentary for radio and television. 

Dr. Bucci was a member of the Senior Scientific Advisory Committee for the Council for Responsible Nutrition from 2005 to 2011 and currently serves as Director of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board. 

Prior to joining Novel, Dr. Bucci was senior vice president of research and scientific affairs at Renew Life Formulas in Palm Harbor, Fla. Previously, he spent 17 years at Reckitt Benckiser, formerly Schiff Nutrition International, in Salt Lake City, where he served as vice president of research, and as research and scientific affairs specialist. During his tenure there, he reformulated and transitioned the health food store product line for the mass market, including MegaRed krill oil, which became a top-selling SKU. He also developed Glucosamine+Chondroitin into a leading Schiff product, virtually creating the natural product industry’s joint health category. He began his career as research director at Biotics Research Corporation in Houston. 

Dr. Bucci graduated magna cum laude from St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas with a B.S. in chemistry. He earned his Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in Houston.