Navam Hettiarachchy, University Professor of protein chemistry in University of Arkansas Department of Food Science, has been named Fellow of the American Oil Chemists' Society.

Hettiarachchy is a member of the faculty of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, and a researcher and scientist with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the U of A System Division of Agriculture.

The AOCS advances the science and technology of oils, fats, proteins, surfactants and related materials in order to enrich the lives of people around the world. To be considered, candidates must have at least 15 years of continuous AOCS membership, and make exceptional achievements in science and/or exceptionally important service to the society or profession, including areas of research, industrial achievement, leadership, education, administration, communication or regulatory affairs.

Hettiarachchy will be presented a plaque and Fellow medal during the 2022 AOCS Annual Meeting and Expo in May.

The AOCS provides current and emerging information and disseminates research results in oils, fats, lipids, proteins, surfactants and related materials through meetings, publications and online presence; develops and upholds methods of analysis used in global trade and research, conducts proficiency testing, provides reference materials and coordinates with other standard developers; facilitates and strengthens interaction among professionals; and collaborates with other scientific societies and related organizations to promote the advancement of science.

Hettiarachchy is also a Fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists and the International Academy of Food Science and Technology.

Hettiarachchys' current research is focused on her developed and implemented strategies for high-impact research for a diversified integrated chemistry-structure-function-functionality of food proteins and bioactive peptides, and value addition to industry co-products, presently moving onto additive manufacturing of 3-D ink printing of plant proteins enriched edible films and healthy food products. She is a resource professor to the Asian Productivity Organization, sponsored by Japan, and has trained professors and scientists in food science and value addition to agriculture for participants from 17 countries multiple times.  

She is a past president of IFT-American Association of Food Scientists for the Indian Subcontinent, served as poster competition chair and is on the advisory board. She is also a director of IFT's Phi Tau Sigma Honor Society and serves on the awards committee. Her leadership has led to many Bumpers College IFT student experiences, including first places in national product development contests as well as 11 regional champions and two national champions at IFT college bowl competitions.

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. For more information about Bumpers College, visit our website, and follow us on Twitter at @BumpersCollege and Instagram at BumpersCollege.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas' economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the top 3% of U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.