Abishek Santhakumar

Associate Professor Abishek Santhakumar

Pathology & Haematology

Dentistry and Medical Sciences

Biography

AProf Santhakumar’s research investigates the role of natural dietary antioxidant compounds in reducing the risk factors of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. During his research tenure, he has led nationally registered human clinical trials investigating the feasibility and efficacy of natural antioxidant compounds as therapeutic alternatives in diverse pro-thrombotic and at-risk populations. He has published more than 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters and received the Faculty Research Excellence award (2021) for the Top 5 most productive Male researchers.

His strong research and scholarship are demonstrated by successful completion of number of PhDs, Masters by Research and Honours graduated under her supervision.

AProf Santhakumar is a member of the University Research committee, and an Editorial Board Member for three international peer-reviewed journals.

Research
  • Investigating the effect of cereal and pulse bioactive compounds in modulating risk factors of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity
  • Exploring the preventive role of dietary antioxidant polyphenols on haemostasis and platelet activity in thrombosis during oxidative stress
  • Cereal and pulse polyphenol characterisation and antioxidant profiling
Publications

Recent publications

  • Saji, N., Budiono, B., Francis, N., Blanchard, C., & Santhakumar, A. (2023). Rice bran extract for the prevention of mitochondrial dysfunction. In S. M. Ostojic (Ed.), Molecular nutrition and mitochondria: Metabolic deficits, whole-diet interventions, and targeted nutraceuticals (pp. 521-534). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2020-0-02475-8
  • Ed Nignpense, B., Latif, S., Francis, N., Blanchard, C., & Santhakumar, A. (2022). Bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity of polyphenols from pigmented barley and wheat. Foods, 11(22), [3697]. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11223697
  • Ed Nignpense, B., Francis, N., Blanchard, C., & Santhakumar, A. (2022). Characterisation, bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity of polyphenols from pigmented wheat and barley. Paper presented at Australian Grain Science Association Conference 2022, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
  • Ed Nignpense, B., Latif, S., Francis, N., Blanchard, C., & Santhakumar, A. (2022). Polyphenols: Antioxidants with a Pretty Cereal Story. Abstract from 2022 Faculty of Science and Health HDR and Honours Symposium, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia. https://cdn.csu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/4117345/FOSH-HDR-and-Honours-Symposium-2022-Program.pdf
  • Mahbub, R., Callcott, E., Rao, S., Ansari, O., Waters, D. LE., Blanchard, C., & Santhakumar, A. (2022). The effect of selected hemp seed protein hydrolysates in modulating vascular function. Food Bioscience, 45(February), 1-8. [101504]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2021.101504