WHO WE ARE

Department of Tropical Nutrition and Food Science

Our History and Mission

Established in 1966, the Department of Tropical Nutrition and Food Science at the Faculty of Tropical Medicine has been at the forefront of nutrition and food science research for over half a century. Our mission is to:

  • Provide high-quality postgraduate education
  • Conduct cutting-edge research in tropical nutrition and food science
  • Offer expert knowledge and laboratory services related to nutritional disorders

Our Team

Our department comprises:

  • 7 dedicated academic staff
  • 8 supportive staff
  • 3 expert consultants

Together, we create a dynamic environment for learning and research.

Education

We contribute to several international postgraduate programs:

  • Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (DTM&H)
  • Master of Science in School Health
  • Master of Science in Tropical Medicine
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Tropical Medicine

Research Focus

Our research spans two main areas:

  1. Tropical Nutrition:
    • Malnutrition, obesity, and related disorders
    • Nutritional epigenetics
    • Genetic influences on nutritional status
    • Natural products with medicinal properties
  2. Food Science:
    • Food microbiology with emphasis on probiotics
    • Glycosidase enzymes for agriculture and food industry applications
    • Functional food products

Facilities

Located on the 8th floor of Chamlong-buildings and the 9th floor of Chalermprakiet 60 years building, our department boasts state-of-the-art research laboratories, including:

  • Molecular biology laboratory
  • Vitamin analysis laboratory
  • Cell Culture room
  • Cold room facility
  • Central Equipment Room
  • Biochemical and antioxidant analysis laboratory
  • High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) laboratory
  • Extracellular vesicles in nutrition and food science laboratory
  • Food microbiology laboratory
  • Food preparation room

We also have access to advanced equipment such as mass spectrometers, P-2 and BSL-3 containment facilities, and genome sequencers through the Center of Excellence in Tropical Diseases.

International Collaboration

We’ve established strong partnerships with universities worldwide, including:

  • University of Potsdam and Justus Liebig University (Germany)
  • Münster University (Germany)
  • York University (Canada)
  • Brescia University (Italy)
  • Hokkaido University and Hyogo University (Japan)
  • Tottori University (Japan)
  • University of Reading (UK)
  • Amsterdam University Medical Center (Netherlands)
  • Goethe University (Germany)

 

These collaborations enhance both our educational offerings and research capabilities.

Services and Outreach

We provide:

  • Technical services for vitamin level determination
  • Annual short training courses on “Methods in Nutritional Assessment and Research”
  • Expert consultations and guest lectures at various institutions

Join us in our pursuit of excellence in tropical nutrition and food science!