Rate My Professor Pushpa Janarthanan

Pushpamalar Janarthanan is an Associate Professor in the School of Science at Monash University Malaysia. She graduated with a degree in polymer science from Universiti Putra Malaysia in 1999, completed a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education in 2002, and earned her PhD in Applied Green Polymer Chemistry from Monash University in 2010 with a staff scholarship. Janarthanan joined Monash University Malaysia as a Lecturer in 1999 and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2015. She serves as Deputy Director of the Monash-Industry Palm Oil Education and Research Platform (MIPO). Her work emphasizes sustainable polymer development from biomass waste.

Specializing in polymer chemistry, Janarthanan develops biodegradable polymers from plant sources, including cross-linked carboxymethylcellulose hydrogels for controlled release of anticancer drugs, fertilizers, pesticides, and natural supplements. Her research incorporates polysaccharides with nanoparticles like silver and iron oxide for drug delivery, tissue engineering scaffolds, wound dressings, electronic packaging, automotive materials, and wastewater remediation. Key publications include "Sustainable production of polyethylene glycol and furandicarboxylic acid copolymer (PEG-co-FDCA) from oil palm empty fruit bunch" (Industrial Crops and Products, 2025), "Carboxymethyl-sagocellulose-stabilized Fe3O4 nanoparticles with 5-fluorouracil as photothermal agents for tumor ablation" (Cancer Nanotechnology, 2024), and "Cellulose derivatives nanomaterial of future materials" (2023). She has been awarded the Pro-Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research (2012), Excellent Scientific Paper Award from TienTe Lee Biomedical Foundation (2015), and a Gold Medal at the International Invention and Innovation Exhibition (2016). Janarthanan supervises 10 PhD students and one Masters student, serves as a guest editorial board member for EnPress, Hindawi, and JResLit Publishers, reviews for international journals, and delivered the public lecture "Biomass-derived hydrogel for drug delivery using green chemistry" (2022). Her collaborations advance UN Sustainable Development Goals in health, sanitation, energy, and climate action.