Dr Hetzel has a background in life sciences research, product development and commercialisation.  He had a distinguished research career with CSIRO for more than 20 years in animal genetics and genomics. In 1998 he co-founded Genetic Solutions to commercialise genomics technology in livestock. The company was sold to Pfizer Animal Health in 2008. He has since worked on commercialising a range of bio-based products in early-stage ventures and was the past Chairman of ASX-listed Anatara Lifesciences Ltd and Leaf Resources Ltd. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.