Harvesting A Life in Science

Born and raised in the village of Gopinagar, my early years were shaped by a deep connection with nature. Growing up in a home without electricity, radio, television, or newspapers, my education began under the shade of an "Ashwatha" tree, where my village's primary school operated. Despite humble beginnings, this open-air classroom instilled in me a lifelong appreciation for learning and discovery. Today, after nearly four decades in academia and scientific research across India, the USA, the UK, and Norway, I continue to cherish those formative years.

My research primarily focuses on feto-placental growth and development, as well as the cardioprotective functions of naturally derived molecules. I have published over 500 original research articles, reviews, book chapters, and editorials (h-index 62, i10-index 202). Additionally, I have authored 15 books published by leading publishers, including Elsevier, CRC Press, Academic Press, Wiley-VCH, and Springer-Nature. My academic contributions include supervising 35 Ph.D. and MD students and evaluating 278 Ph.D. theses across multiple countries, including India, the USA, the UK, South Africa, Norway, and Australia.

I serve as the Editor-in-Chief of Food & Nutrition Research and as an editor for several esteemed journals, including Nutrients, Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Essential Fatty Acids, and Frontiers. Since 2012, I have been a panel member nominating candidates for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and am also a member of the Royal Society of Medicine.

One of my significant research contributions is in cardiovascular health, particularly addressing hyperactive blood platelets—a key factor in heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). My work led to the development of Fruitflow®, a water-soluble tomato extract clinically proven to support cardiovascular health. It became the first product in Europe to receive an approved health claim under Article 13(5) of the European Health Claims Regulation 1924/2006 and is now commercially available in over 75 countries. Additionally, I developed HeartyFine, a kiwifruit-based blood pressure-lowering and blood-thinning supplement now marketed in India.

Beyond cardiovascular research, I have explored the determinants of fetal brain development, investigating how maternal diet, environmental factors, and gut microbiota influence a child's IQ. My discoveries on DHA and ARA transport mechanisms in the placenta have contributed to advancements in maternal nutrition and infant health, shaping pre-conception dietary guidelines and baby food formulations. Recent research in my lab focuses on the long-term impacts of gestational exposure to environmental pollutants and delivery modes (e.g., Cesarean section) on metabolic and cardiovascular diseases later in life.

I hold several international patents, including my patented anti-platelet and anti-hypertensive innovation (Fruitflow®), the EU's first approved EFSA product. My research has contributed to the foundation of three companies: Provexis Limited (UK), IDIA AS (Norway), and Genimen Pharmacon (India), all dedicated to commercializing novel bioactive compounds for health and wellness.