Ali Haghighi
Dr. Ali Haghighi is a biochemist with Natural Balance Pet Foods in Pacoima, California. Dr. Haghighi received his Ph.D. in biochemistry at Cleveland State University. Career. Dr. Haghighi developed an ELISA-based diagnostic assay for Polygenetics, Inc. of Mountain View, California using Cavilink polymers. These polymers have cavities ranging in size from 1 to over 30 micrometers. Spheres can be custom manufactured with a wide variety of monomers including styrenes, methacrylates, acrylamides and many others. Haghighi also teaches medical assistant certification for the State of California. Haghighi is also a professor of sciences in surgical technology as well  as a criminalist for the California Department of Justice. Haghighi was brought to Natural Balance in the wake of the 2007 pet food recalls involving products made by Menu Foods totaling over 50 brands. Natural Balance issued a voluntary nationwide recall for foods containing venison, brown rice, green pea canned chicken, lamb, beef, and fish stating that "some production batches of these products may contain melamine."