Hari Pulapaka

Hari Pulapaka, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at Stetson University, where he has been since fall 2000. He is also a nationally acclaimed professional chef and sustainable food systems advocate. His dual roles bridge academia and culinary practice, emphasizing education and innovation in sustainability.

Pulapaka holds an ACF-certified executive chef certification since 2012 and has been a leading voice in reducing food waste, promoting sustainable seafood, and advocating for traceable food systems. His research, such as the 2023 presentation on bipartite network models for food systems, integrates mathematical rigor into environmental challenges.

In 2023, he was inducted into the American Academy of Chefs (AAC) and received the ACF’s Presidential Medallion, its highest honor, for industry contributions. He actively mentors culinary students and has led educational initiatives like the first-year seminar 'Tasty No Waste Cooking & Eating.'

Pulapaka’s work spans teaching mathematics and food-related courses at Stetson, alongside advocacy for planetary health diets and hunger reduction. His efforts align with AAC’s mission to advance culinary education and sustainability.