Dr. Sonu Sharma
University of Toronto
Thesis: Valorization of Canadian Pulses for Nutrition and Type-2 Diabetes using Biochemical Engineering and Artificial Intelligence.
Research Interests My research centers on transforming underutilized and underexplored Canadian agrifood crops and industrial byproduct streams into functional food medicines for global health. During my PhD at UofGuelph, I investigated corn distillate, a low-value byproduct, as a novel source of proteins and biopeptides, developing extraction and enzymatic hydrolysis methods to generate hydrolysates with antioxidant, antihypertensive, and antidiabetic activities. My current post-PhD research at UofToronto focuses on developing antidiabetic solutions from underexplored Canadian pulses using an integrated biochemical and AI-driven approach. A core part of my research emphasizes innovating novel plant-based protein biomolecules capable of managing type 2 diabetes. My prospective research goals are to advance the value-addition of underutilized plant and agri-food resources turning waste or a low-value crop into scientifically validated, health-promoting food medicines. I’m particularly motivated by the intersection of sustainability, circular bioeconomy, and functional food design. I aim to continue bridging fundamental food engineering research with translational, commercially viable applications in both human and pet nutrition.
Fun fact about you: I enjoy sports badminton and chess in particular along with meditation, and I like learning from notable figures across fields such as cinema, technology, business, politics, sports, and the arts
Explore some of Dr. Sharma’s work
- Sharma, S., Pradhan, R., Manickavasagan, A. Thimmanagari, M., & Dutta, A., 2022. Exploration of plant-based ACE inhibitory protein hydrolysates from corn distillers solubles of selective milling technology. Food Chemistry (Elsevier), 388, 133036.
- Sharma, S., Pradhan, R., Manickavasagan, A. Thimmanagari, M., & Dutta, A., 2022. Corn distillers solubles as a novel bioresource for biopeptides with ACE and DPP IV inhibition activity: characterization, in-silico evaluation, and molecular docking. Food and Function (RSC), 13, 8179-820