Awards

Growing food, growing health and growing communities

Meet Dr. Ruchira Nandasiri and how he is making healthy communities.

Dr. Ruchira Nandasiri
Estimated Read Time:
2 minutes
Dr. Ruchira Nandasiri
Dr. Ruchira Nandasiri
Estimated Read Time:
2 minutes

Originally from Sri Lanka, Ruchira is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Manitoba. His innovative research and academic leadership recently earned him the prestigious Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow Award in Natural Sciences and Engineering.

My goal is to generate the science that transforms food into medicine.

Dr. Ruchira Nandasiri

To pull this off, Ruchira is looking closely at smart vertical farming, controlled-environment agriculture, and innovative food processing tech. By tweaking things like light quality and harvest timing, his research naturally boosts the health-promoting compounds found in crops. The ultimate goal is to develop functional foods that actively reduce the risk of chronic issues like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. 

Dr. Kelley Main and Dr. Ruchira Nandasiri at the FGPS Award Reception 2026
Dr. Kelley Main and Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Ruchira Nandasiri

Working with multidisciplinary teams at UM, CCARM, Indigenous communities, and industry partners, his focus is clear: ‘The greatest reward in research is seeing scientific discoveries improve people's health and make a meaningful difference in communities.’ 

Outside the lab, Ruchira is a dedicated advocate and community leader. He serves as President of the Postdoctoral Fellows Association in the Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences. He also gives back as Vice President of the Sri Lankan Association of Manitoba and previously served as a director for the Manitoba Buddhist Vihara and Cultural Association, prioritizing cultural heritage and ethical leadership. 

Dr. Ruchira Nandasiri
Dr. Ruchira Nandasiri

Ruchira attributes much of their academic success to exceptional mentors throughout their training: master's advisor Dr. Vasantha Rupasinghe, Ph.D. supervisors Dr. Michael Eskin and the late Dr. Usha Thiyam-Hollander, and postdoctoral supervisor Dr. Miyoung Suh. Their guidance in food science and scientific excellence remains foundational to Ruchira’s career and personal growth. 

A rock-solid support system is key to his journey: his wife, Ramesha, and his daily inspirations, daughters Riyana and Reanna. Watching them grow serves as his daily reminder of why building sustainable, healthy food systems matters so much for the next generation. 

When he's not busy mentoring students or running experiments, you’ll probably find him on the cricket pitch. As an active member of the Bloomfield Cricket and Cultural Club, Ruchira plays regularly in Manitoba’s summer leagues. For him, the teamwork, strategy, and discipline of cricket perfectly mirror his approach to science and academic leadership. 

Whether he's at home, on the pitch, or in the lab, Ruchira stays grounded in kindness and service. As he puts it: ‘My family, mentors, students, collaborators, and community have shown me that meaningful research begins with shared purpose.’ 

Meaningful research begins with shared purpose.

Dr. Ruchira Nandasiri

Boilerplate: Research

For nearly 150 years, UM has transformed lives through groundbreaking research and homegrown innovation. We push the boundaries of knowledge and do the hard work here in Manitoba to move our community and the world forward. With a spirit of determination and discovery, we are shaping a better future for our province and beyond.

By

FGPS