Food & Beverages

Biography

Dr. Hettiarachchy and her research staff are also developing novel food products to alleviate hunger and malnutrition among children in developing countries using the latest technologies including extrusion. Value addition to industry co-products, evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of plant extracts for food safety, and food product development are also essential parts of Hettiarachcy's research program.In 2012, she won the International Education Award, Sponsored Student Programs, University of Arkansas Graduate School.

Research Interest

Dr. Hettiarachchy's research in protein chemistry is devoted to sound science with a hands-on practical approach that enhances and promotes original and innovative thinking skills as tools to find solutions. The program's mission is to expand and transfer knowledge and advanced technologies resulting from fundamental, applied and innovative research for continuous improvement of the safety, quality, value and sustainability of food. The research projects include preparation, purification and characterization of proteins and peptides for investigating their functionality against cancer, obesity, Type II diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, inflammation and hypertension.