News

Professor H.P. Vasantha Rupasinghe of the Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences has been honoured with the Peradeniya Alumni Excellence Award, one of the highest distinctions presented by the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

The award recognizes alumni who have achieved exceptional international distinction through outstanding contributions to research, innovation, education, and society.

A graduate of the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Peradeniya, Professor Rupasinghe has built an internationally acclaimed career in food biosciences, nutraceutical innovation and functional foods. His research focuses on harnessing plant-derived bioactive compounds to improve human health and develop sustainable agri-food innovations.

Over the course of his distinguished career, Professor Rupasinghe has published more than 270 peer-reviewed scientific papers and 23 book chapters, with his research receiving nearly 22,000 citations and an author h-index of 83. His pioneering work has significantly advanced scientific understanding of flavonoids, polyphenols, and other natural bioactive compounds, revealing their potential to prevent and manage chronic diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases.

His outstanding research achievements have earned numerous national and international honours, including the Arthur B. McDonald Chair of Research Excellence, the Schwabe Phyto Innovation Challenge Award in Germany, the Canada Research Chair, the Killam Chair Award, and election as a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology. His work continues to strengthen Dalhousie University's reputation as a global leader in food science and agricultural innovation.

Beyond his scientific accomplishments, Professor Rupasinghe has made substantial contributions to the global research community through leadership on international advisory committees, editorial boards, and collaborative research initiatives. He has mentored numerous graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, visiting scientists, and early-career researchers who now serve in academia, government, and industry around the world.

The University of Peradeniya, established as the University of Ceylon in 1942 under the leadership of Sir Ivor Jennings, a distinguished British academic, constitutional scholar, and its first Vice-Chancellor, is one of Sri Lanka's most prestigious universities. It comprises nine faculties and four postgraduate institutes, serving over 25,000 students. Renowned for excellence in teaching, research, and innovation, the university is consistently ranked among the top two universities in Sri Lanka and is internationally recognized in the QS and Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

The University of Peradeniya presented the Alumni Excellence Award in recognition of Professor Rupasinghe's exceptional career achievements and his enduring contributions to science, innovation, higher education, and global food and health research. The award also celebrates the impact of one of the University's most distinguished graduates, whose work continues to improve human health while advancing sustainable food systems worldwide.

Congratulations, Professor Rupasinghe, on this well-deserved international recognition.