Pratibha Acharya, PhD
About Pratibha Acharya, PhD
Pratibha Acharya, PhD, is a Scientist I at Benson Hill, where she develops food function strategies and communicates research findings. She has extensive research experience in biochemistry and analytical chemistry, with a focus on health-promoting phytochemicals.
Work at Benson Hill
Pratibha Acharya has been employed at Benson Hill as a Scientist I since 2021. In this role, she contributes to the development of cross-functional and departmental food function strategies. She is also responsible for communicating research progress and results to both internal and external stakeholders, ensuring that key findings are effectively shared and understood within the organization and beyond.
Education and Expertise
Pratibha Acharya is pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Horticultural Science at Texas A&M University, a program she has been engaged in since 2015. Her academic background includes extensive research experience in biochemistry, analytical chemistry, nanotechnology, seed technology, and postharvest physiology. She possesses expertise in various chromatography techniques, including HPLC, LCMS, GC, and GCMS.
Background
Before joining Benson Hill, Pratibha Acharya worked as a Graduate Research Assistant at Texas A&M University from 2015 to 2020. Additionally, she volunteered in the Horticultural Pathology Lab at the University of Minnesota for six months in 2014-2015. Her early career included an internship at LI-BIRD in Pokhara, Nepal, in 2013, where she gained foundational experience in research.
Research Contributions
During her time at the Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center, Pratibha Acharya focused on the identification and quantification of health-promoting phytochemicals and volatiles. She utilized advanced analytical tools to conduct her research, contributing to the understanding of beneficial compounds in fruits and vegetables.