Principal Investigator
Mahfuzur Rahman
Mahfuzur Rahman is an assistant professor in the Department of Food Science at the University of Arkansas. He has a Ph.D. from Iowa State University, an M.S. from North Dakota State University, and a Bachelor’s in Food Engineering. Dr. Rahman served as an R&D scientist at Kraft Heinz Food Company, where his research focused on developing alternative dairy products. He is leading Novel Ingredient Processing and Utilization (NIPU) Lab, which is focusing on alternative protein, non-thermal processing, clean label, chemical food safety, biodegradable packaging, and circular bioeconomy. It maintains strong collaboration between researchers from other disciplines and industry partners.
Research Group
Nikitha Modupalli
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Research: Application of plasma to improve functionalities of biopolymers
- Ph.D. Food Processing Engineering, National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management – Thanjavur, India
- M. Tech Food Science and Technology, National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management – Thanjavur, India
Muhammad Nazrul Islam
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Research: Application of plasma to improve chemical food safety
- Post Doctoral Fellow, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey
Sukanya Poddar
Graduate Research Assistant
Research: Development of clean-label food additives from protein hydrolysates
- PhD in Food Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
- Food and Nutritional Sciences, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, NC, USA
- B.Sc. (Engineering) in Food Engineering and Tea Technology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh
Kavitha Lakshmipathy
Senior Graduate Assistant
Research: Enhancing the functional properties and reducing off-notes of pulse proteins through fermentation and ultrasound.
- PhD in Food Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
- M Tech., Food Process Technology, National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management – Thanjavur, India
- B Tech., Food Technology and Management, National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management – Kundli, India
Md Kashem Ali (Tahsan)
Graduate Research Assistant
Research: Dry fractionation of wheat gluten using an electrostatic separator.
- MS in Food Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
- B.Sc. (Engineering) in Food Engineering and Tea Technology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh
Saydul Safwa
Graduate Research Assistant
Research: Developing antimicrobial packaging film using rice bran
- MS in Food Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
- B.Sc. (Engineering) in Food Engineering and Tea Technology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh
Parvej Hasan Jon
Graduate Research Assistant
Research: Integration of machine learning to food processing techniques
- MS in Food Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
- B.Sc. (Engineering) in Food Engineering and Tea Technology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh
Queen Atungulu
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Research: Development of plant-based cheese
- B.Sc. in Food Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
- High School Diploma, Haas Hall Academy, Springdale, AR, USA
Lab Alumni
- Ruslan Galib, University of Arkansas, 2024-2025
M.S graduate; Completed master's research in our laboratory - Michael Moreno, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Summer 2024.
Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates program - Sofia Cangalaya, Rutgers University, Summer 2024.
Future of Food: Opportunities and Careers for Undergraduate Students Fellowship Program