UAMS Professor to Present Relationships Among Food, Health, and Disease in Food Science Seminar

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Dr. Mahendran Mahadevan, a professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, will speak from 3-4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3, in Room D2 of the Food Science Building, 2650 N. Young Ave. His presentation, "Food, Health, and Disease," is open to everyone.

Mahadevan's presentation will focus on how different types of food and beverages plays a role in human body's health defense systems (Angiogenesis, stem cells/regeneration, microbiome, DNA protection, and immunity). This basic biological knowledge related to foods will be useful for better understanding about the effects of foods on the prevention and management of human diseases.  

Mahadevan's research interests include: 1) roles of genetics, obesity, nutrition, food supplements, nutraceuticals, physical activity and other environmental/life style factors on prevention/public health and maternal, fetal, and child health; 2) tissue banking; 3) embryo and stem cell culture/expansion (particularly culture medium/conditions); and 4) gene therapy and stem cell gene therapy particularly in cancer and genetic diseases.

Mahadevan received his Veterinary medicine degree in 1975 from University of Ceylon Peradeniya, Sri Lanka and his doctoral degree in Reproductive biology from Monash University, Australia in 1982. His academic experience includes faculty positions in the Department of Physiology, School of medicine at the University of Ceylon and in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.