Pushpa Janarthanan

Dr. Pushpa Janarthanan is an Associate Professor at Monash University's Malaysia School of Science, specializing in polymer chemistry and biomedical materials. Her research focuses on developing biodegradable polymers from agricultural waste for applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and environmental remediation. She has secured funding from Malaysian agencies like MOSTI and collaborates with institutions such as UPM, USM, and A*STAR. Notable awards include the Pro-Vice-Chancellor’s Research Excellence Award (2012) and a Gold Medal at the International Invention Exhibition (2016). She currently supervises 11 graduate students and leads the Monash-Industry Palm Oil Platform (MIPO). Her teaching includes courses in chemistry and synthetic polymer science.

Education: B.Sc. in Polymer Science (University Putra Malaysia, 1999), PhD in Applied Green Polymer Chemistry (Monash University, 2010). Research highlights include biodegradable hydrogels for controlled drug release, nanoparticle-embedded wound dressings, and sustainable biomaterials from oil palm biomass. She has pioneered eco-friendly methods for synthesizing polymers using plant-derived materials, addressing environmental and healthcare challenges. Projects span collaborations with industry partners for fertilizer carriers and antimicrobial medical devices.

• Key Research Themes: Biodegradable polymers, nanocomposite hydrogels, sustainable materials, drug delivery systems.
• Awards: 2012 Pro-Vice-Chancellor’s Award, 2014 TienTe Lee Award, 2016 Gold Medal for Innovation.
• Teaching: CHM1052 (Chemistry II Advanced), CHM2911 (Synthetic Chemistry), CHM3922 (Advanced Organic Chemistry).
• Leadership: Deputy Director of MIPO, promoting palm oil industry sustainability through university-industry partnerships.

Her work aligns with UN SDGs 3 (Good Health), 9 (Industry Innovation), 12 (Responsible Consumption), and 15 (Life on Land). Recent projects include nanocomposite dressings for dermatitis and biodegradable membranes from plant biomass.