Dr. Hemalatha, a nutrition researcher with a medical background, specializes in the critical field of maternal and child health and nutrition. Her extensive work, comprising clinical and fundamental studies, has yielded valuable insights into the pivotal role of nutrition and gut bacteria in growth and development, endotoxemia, inflammation, insulin resistance, and lipid profiles.
One of her remarkable achievements is her significant contribution to establishing nutrient requirements tailored to the Indian population. Notably, for the first time, these recommendations encompass Estimated Average Requirements (EAR) and Tolerable Upper Limits (TUL) in addition to Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs). These comprehensive nutrition requirements have far-reaching policy implications, influencing strategies such as fortification, food labelling, nutrition supplementation programs in India, ensuring nutrient adequacy, and setting limits for nutrients in the food industry.
Dr. Hemalatha’s profound contributions have garnered her awards and honours. These accolades include the prestigious Dr. Srikantiah Memorial Oration award, the Ponduri Venkata Ramana Rao Gold Medal, the Dr. Rajammal P. Devadas Memorial Oration Award and many others.In recognition of her lifelong achievements, Dr. Hemalatha was recently honored with the Lifetime Achievement award by the Federation of Asian Nutrition Societies (FANS). Under her leadership, the institute received the Excellence in Nutrition Science & Technology award from POSHAN Outlook and the Poshak Anaaj Award from ICAR-IIMR.
She also serves as Expert Member of various nutrition and health related committees in the country. She is a Fellow of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (FNAMS), International Union of Nutrition Sciences (FIUNS) and Telangana Academy of Sciences (FTAS).