Welcome to our new Food & Function Advisory Board members!

We are delighted to welcome our new Food & Function Advisory Board members! Read more about them below:

Sanjay Basak - ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, India

Dr Basak graduated in Biochemistry (PhD) with a specialization in Molecular Biology. He is a DST-BOYSCAST fellow and obtained his postdoctoral training at the Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway. Dr. Basak brings over 20 years of extensive research experience in biochemistry, developmental physiology, metabolism, and nutrigenomics. His substantial body of work, which includes more than 100 publications ranging from original research to book chapters, underscores his deep understanding of the field.

His research group investigates the roles of macronutrients (lipid, glucose, protein) and nano nutraceuticals in preventing developmental defects and risks of adult chronic diseases. They are also investigating the impact of environmental factors that reveal an alarming link between gestational exposure to plastic-derived chemicals, bisphenol and offspring's testicular health in adult life. The effect of microplastic exposure during the critical developmental window on the fertility index of the offspring is ongoing. Dr. Basak's research group is at the forefront of evaluating epigenetic targets of prematurity to explore molecular biomarkers of adult disease risk factors. Their innovative approach, which employs high-throughput epigenomic analysis coupled with metabolomics, is generating novel data and knowledge, particularly those originating from the fetus. This progress holds great promise for the future of targeted epigenetic research, inspiring new avenues of exploration and potential breakthroughs in personalized medicine.

Tatjana Ruskovska, Goce Delcev University, North Macedonia

Dr. Tatjana Ruskovska obtained her BSc (1990), MSc (1997), and Ph.D. (2002) degrees at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Institute of Biology, Biochemistry and Physiology Group, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, North Macedonia. Positions held: biochemist and head of the laboratory at the Central Clinical Laboratory, Military Hospital in Skopje (1994 to 2010); joined the Faculty of Medical Sciences Goce Delcev University in Stip, North Macedonia (2010), where she was vice-dean from 2011 to 2014 and head of the school for doctoral studies (2018-2020). In the 2014/2015 academic year, she was appointed visiting professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics at the University of Minnesota, USA, as a Fulbright Scholar. Currently, she works as a full professor of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Goce Delcev University in Stip, North Macedonia.

"As a biochemist with research interests focused on deciphering the molecular mechanisms of action of plant food bioactives using multiomics and integrative bioinformatics approaches, I am thrilled to join the Food & Function Advisory Board and contribute my scientific experience and expertise to the exciting journey towards precision nutrition in the prevention of non-communicable diseases.

Food & Function is a leading scientific platform for promoting the latest research, not only in my specific field but also in the broader areas of food and nutrition. The world-class scientists on its Editorial Board ensure the publication of high-quality articles, making Food & Function one of the top journals in nutrition science."

Cristian Del Bo', University of Milan, Italy

Dr. Cristian Del Bo' is an Associate Professor of Human Nutrition at the Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan. He earned his PhD in Experimental and Clinical Nutrition from the same institution.

Dr. Del Bo' has conducted research at the University of Maine's Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition and interned at the Antioxidants Research Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, as well as the Department of Public Health at the University of Copenhagen.

His research focuses on the role of berries and polyphenols in modulating cardiovascular risk markers, including vascular function, oxidative stress, and inflammation.

Sabine Kulling, Max Rubner-Institut , Germany

Dr. Sabine E. Kulling is a distinguished food chemist and toxicologist, currently leading the Department of Safety and Quality of Fruit and Vegetables at the Max Rubner-Institut in Karlsruhe, Germany. She pursued studies in food chemistry and environmental toxicology at the Technical University of Kaiserslautern, where she earned her doctorate in 1996.

Prof. Kulling held professorships at the University of Hamburg and the University of Potsdam. Since 2010, she has served as an honorary professor at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.

Her research primarily explores the metabolism and bioavailability of secondary plant compounds, employing metabolomics to assess the safety and quality of fruit and vegetables. Prof. Kulling is also a member of the German Research Foundation's Senate Commission on Food Safety and the board of the German Society for Quality Research on Plant-Based Foods.

Chris Gill, Ulster University, UK

Dr Chris Gill holds a PhD from Ulster University (2000). He is Senior lecturer (2014) in nutrition at Ulster University and thematic leader for “Phytochemicals and gut microflora in health and diseases” within the Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health (NICHE).

His research focuses on the influence of diet on cancer risk investigated through in vitro, animal and human models.

Dr Gill has published many research papers, five book chapters and one patent.

He is Co-investigator and work-package leader on two EU projects focusing on diet and health properties seaweed. HYFFI (2008-2011). Hydrocolloid derivatives as functional food ingredients (FP 7-SME-2007-1- 222470. and SWAFAX (2010-2013). Seaweed derived anti-inflammatory agents and antioxidants. (FP7-SME-2010-1- 262519).

Dr Gill has acted as a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for Nordforsk National Centres of Excellence programme (2008-2013) and is a member of the Danish Peer Review College since 2008. He is the recipient of the Ulster University Distinguished Research Fellowship (2015).

Neuza Mariko Aymoto Hassimotto, University of S?o Paulo, Brazil

She holds a degree in Pharmacy with a specialization in Clinical Analysis from the State University of Londrina (1989), a bachelor's degree in full from the Federal University of Technology of Paraná (1996), a master's degree in Food Sciences from the State University of Londrina (1994) and a PhD in Food Sciences from the University of S?o Paulo (2005). She received the title of professor in Food Chemistry and Biochemistry from the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of S?o Paulo in 2021.

She is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of S?o Paulo and participates in the Support Center for Research in Food and Nutrition of USP (NAPAN). She is an associate researcher at Forc (Food Research Center), one of the Centers for Innovation, Research and Dissemination (CEPIDs) supported by FAPESP. The research lines under development are in the area of Food Science, with an emphasis on Bioactive Compounds in Food, especially phenolic compounds, in the themes of structural identification, biological activity, especially anti-inflammatory activity and antioxidant capacity, in addition to the bioavailability of bioactive compounds in animal and human models.

Please join us in welcoming our new ?Food & Function Advisory Board, who will help shape the bright future of our journal!