Dr. Vasantha Rupasinghe Receives NSAC's Research Excellence Award 2009

Since joining NSAC's faculty in 2003, as the Tree Fruit Bio-product Research Chair, Dr. Rupasinghe has through his commitment, creativity and personality, distinguished himself as a researcher.  He has established a prolific research program addressing both fundamental and applied research. The Nova Scotia Tree Fruit Industry considers him a strategic partner in the success of their industry.  His students view him as knowledgeable, compassionate and a worthy mentor.

Dr. Rupasinghe has developed an excellent blend of academic and scholastic achievement as evidenced by training nine master’s students, four post-doctoral fellows and in the publication of 44 refereed papers, with some 66 national and international level abstracts, two patents and a long list of international collaborators. 

He, in collaboration with academic and industry partners, has succeeded in obtaining multi-million dollars in research grant funding from some of the most prestigious funding agencies in Canada. These include NSERC, CFI and ACOA-AIF.  His research is advancing the potential of the traditional agri-food sector by developing innovative bio-products.  This has resulted in several patent applications and promises to bring new, globally competitive products and opportunities to the agricultural sector. According to Nova Scotia Fruit Grower’s Association he is a “superior communicator, who never lets his demanding workload stop him from maintaining contact with the industry, responding to industry needs and inquiries, or to encourage and mentoring the sector.”

Dr. Rupasinghe has also distinguished himself by being invited by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to serve on their National Science Review Panel and by Canadian Horticultural Council to serve on their Science Advisory Board.

The last six years have been very productive for Dr. Rupasinghe and as a result for the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and the Tree-Fruit industry.  It is his deep personal commitment to research and his genuine commitment to the industry that have allowed him these achievements. 

Left-right: Dr. Vasantha Rupasinghe (Associate Professor), Dr. Bernie MacDonald (Co-President, Vice President Administration), Dr. Leslie MacLaren (Co-President, Vice President Academic) and Dr. David Burton (Chair, NSAC Faculty Council Research Committee).