Dr. Monika Choudhary commenced her career as an Assistant Professor at KVK Sangrur in 2015 and joined the department as Scientist in 2020. Her research focuses on improving health through dietary innovations, specifically in areas like prebiotics, gut health, and food-based solutions for micronutrient deficiencies. She has published many academic papers, including works with CRC Press, and currently leads a project funded by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) to promote nutrition awareness among school-age children.

Dr. Choudhary earned her B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. in Food & Nutrition from PAU and has received several awards, including a Gold Medal in 2008 and the INSPIRE Fellowship from 2011 to 2014. She was also honoured with the Nestle Research Award with a cash prize of 2.5 lakh to support nutrition research and awareness. While at KVK Sangrur, she helped create and support various Self Help Groups that have won awards at state and national levels. Dr. Choudhary has extensive experience in both extension services and research. 

Professional Accomplishment: 

Selected Publications 

1. Bhatnagar A , Choudhary M, Kumar V, Singh V and Kaur P (2024) Nutrient profiling assessment of packaged snack foods carrying nutrition-related claims available in Indian market. Frontiers in  Nutrition – Nutrition and Food Science Technology 11 https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1425354 (NAAS Rating 11.00)
2. Kapoor S, Kaur A, Kumar V and Choudhary M (2024) Chemical, textural, antioxidant potential and sensory characterization of Foxnut powder (Euryale ferox) added bakery products. Nutrition and Food Science 54:547-61. (NAAS Rating 7.50)
3. Kaur P, Choudhary M Sharma S (2023) Fatty acid profiling and oxidative stability of biscuits available in the market of the city of Ludhiana, India. Scientific Reports 13 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-44228-x. (NAAS Rating 10.60)
4. Naveena J H, Choudhary M (2023) Consumption pattern of rice bran oil among adults in the highest rice producing region of Punjab. Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences, India, Section B: Biological Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-023-01494-z (NAAS Rating 6.96) 
5. Kharkwal V, Choudhary M, Bains K, Bishnoi M (2023) Non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risk assessment of heavy metals in cooked beans and vegetables in Punjab, North India. Journal of Food Science and Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.3678 (NAAS Rating 9.55) 

Project accomplished 

Development of Complementary Education Plan of Health and Nutrition Awareness for School-Age Children of Punjab funded by Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi –PI (on-going)

Awards/Honours/Distinctions:

• Awarded Gold Medal (2008)
• Awarded PAU Merit Fellowship (2010)
• Awarded Junior Research Fellowship by UGC (2011)
• Awarded INSPIRE Fellowship by DST for Doctorate Degree (2011-2014)
• Awarded Travel Grant by Dr. G.S. Khush Foundation for presenting Research Paper at National Conference on Bioactive Compounds and Functional Foods in Health and Disease Management at NIFTEM, Sonepat (15-16th Nov.,2013)
•  “Nestle Research Award” during Nestlé Research Awards and Grants Event, held at Nestlé Research and Development Centre India Private Limited, Gurgaon-2016
• “Young Scientist Award” Shared with M.Sc. Student Ms. Prabhjot Kaur for research paper “Evaluation of prebiotic potential of selected fruit peels” during the 54th Annual conference of the Nutrition Society of India held at the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India from Dec.22-23, 2022
• Special Appreciation Award during  International Conference on “Prediabetes to diabetes- A trajectory of concern,” for the paper entitled “Fatty acid profiling of bakery products available in market” authored by Prabhjot Kaur, Monika Choudhary and Jaspreet Kaur organized by Lifeness Science Institute (LSI) in collaboration with Knowledge partners- Nutrition Society of India and Indian Dietetic Association (Mumbai Chapter) at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute, Andheri (West), Mumbai, Maharashtra on January 5-6, 2024.
• Special Appreciation Award during International Conference on “Prediabetes to diabetes- A trajectory of concern,” for the paper entitled “Formulation of functional bakery product using foxnut (Euryale ferox): An aquatic super food” authored by Surbhi Kapoor, Amarjeet Kaur, and Monika Choudhary organized by Lifeness Science Institute (LSI) in collaboration with Knowledge partners- Nutrition Society of India and Indian Dietetic Association (Mumbai Chapter) at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute, Andheri (West), Mumbai, Maharashtra on January 5-6, 2024.