FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Mahendran Balasubramanian and Laura Hill have joined the School of Human Environmental Sciences' faculty in the U of A's Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

Balasubramanian is an assistant professor in apparel merchandising and product development while Hill is an instructor in human nutrition and hospitality innovation.

Balasubramanian's research is in innovative and functional apparel design using digital anthropometric technology, and focuses on scoliosis and sleep apnea patients. His background includes teaching textiles and digital technology for apparel design, 3D scanning and virtual fitting technology, webPDM and animated textile manufacturing processes.

"Based on his fields of research, 3D Body Scanning, Digital Anthropometry, 3D Printing, Wearable Health Monitoring Smart Garments and Conductive Textiles, we are all confident that he will accelerate us into new stratospheres," said Betsy Garrison, director of the School of Human Environmental Sciences.

He earned his bachelor's degree from Anna University in Tamilnadu, India, in 2007, his master's degree from Auburn University in 2009 and his doctorate in apparel design and product development from Oklahoma State University in 2016 where he taught Advanced Technology for Apparel Design and Textiles while working as a graduate research associate.

"The AMPD faculty and staff are delighted to have Dr. Balasubramanian join our dynamic program," said AMPD assistant director and clinical associate professor Kathy Smith. "His expertise in technical apparel design will enhance the research of the program with potential for innovative collaborations across disciplines, ultimately strengthening and enriching the campus community and setting new standards for teaching and research in apparel at the U of A."

Hill is in the human nutrition concentration where she is teaching three courses: Fundamentals of Nutrition, Medical Nutrition Therapy and Experimental Foods.

"Dr. Hill brings an abundance of knowledge and practical experience to the dietetics program within the Human Nutrition and Hospitality Innovation area of the School of Human Environmental Sciences," said Garrison.

"Dr. Hill brings a copious amount knowledge and experience from her time in the medical industry, which adds strength to our curriculum in human nutrition and dietetics," said Kelly Way, associate professor of human nutrition and hospitality innovation, and assistant director of HESC. "It's a beautiful thing when passion and a career come together. Dr. Hill brings her passion to our students and our program."

Hill earned her bachelor's degree from John Brown University in 1988, and her master's degree and Ph.D. in 1992 and 2007, both from the U of A.

She joins the faculty after working as the clinical nutrition manager in Nutrition Services for Mercy Medical Center in Northwest Arkansas.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.