Mrinal Bhave

Mrinal Bhave is a Professor and Department Chair in Chemistry and Biotechnology at Swinburne University's School of Science, Computing and Emerging Technologies. They hold a PhD from the University of Poona, followed by postdoctoral research at the NIH (USA) and University of Florida. Their career includes roles at Murdoch Institute of the Royal Children's Hospital, Pitman-Moore Australia, and Victoria University before joining Swinburne in 2002.

Research focuses on applying molecular biology, biochemistry, and biotechnology to address agricultural and environmental challenges. Key areas include antimicrobial peptides, polydopamine-based drug delivery systems, biodegradation of plastics, and rice biofortification. Their work spans interdisciplinary collaborations, with grants from ARC, ANSTO, and industry partners.

Supervision availability exists for PhD candidates in topics like antimicrobial nanocarriers, biofilm inhibition, and crop nutrient analysis. Over 50 HDR students have been supervised, with projects ranging from drug delivery systems to environmental microbiology.

Grants include ARC funding for biofilm research, ANSTO collaborations on antimicrobial mechanisms, and industry partnerships for agricultural biotechnology. Their publications emphasize advanced imaging techniques (X-ray fluorescence, synchrotron), machine learning in drug discovery, and sustainable materials development.