Pushpamalar Janarthanan

This PhD project at Monash University Malaysia focuses on developing biodegradable polymer-based hydrogels for the efficient capture and preservation of latent DNA and trace biomarkers from touch and trace evidence. Trace biological residues, such as sweat and epithelial cells, are valuable for forensic investigations but are often difficult to recover using conventional methods like swabbing, which can result in low efficiency and sample degradation. The research aims to design tunable hydrogel systems using biopolymers such as carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and chitosan, enhancing adsorption capacity and biomolecule stability for forensic sampling. By integrating polymer chemistry and forensic science, the project seeks to improve trace evidence recovery and introduce a novel, non-destructive forensic sampling technology. The research areas span biotechnology, molecular biology, applied chemistry, environmental chemistry, industrial chemistry, organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, biomedical engineering, nanotechnology, and polymers. The project is supervised by Associate Professor Pushpamalar Janarthanan, with Dr. Ang Chee Wei and Professor Wu Ta Yeong as associate supervisors, all based in the Department of Science at Monash University Malaysia. Successful applicants will be awarded the Graduate Research Excellence Scholarship (GRES), which provides a full tuition fee waiver and a monthly stipend for up to 3 years 6 months. To be eligible, candidates must have a First Class Honours (H1) or its equivalence (H1E) recognised by Monash University Malaysia and meet the English language requirements. The application deadline is July 31, 2026. Prospective students are encouraged to contact the main supervisor with their academic background and achievements to determine suitability for the project. If a good fit is established, applications should be submitted online, referencing the advertised research topic. Further information about the application process and scholarships is available via the provided link.

This PhD project at Monash University Malaysia tackles the urgent environmental challenge posed by single-use plastic waste, especially in food packaging and cutlery. Malaysia generates abundant oil palm biomass, particularly empty fruit bunches (EFB), yet its potential for conversion into biodegradable materials is largely untapped. The research aims to develop a fully compostable biocomposite using polylactic acid (PLA), oil palm EFB-derived cellulose, and clay, targeting the creation of eco-friendly cutlery and food packaging alternatives. Students will synthesize, characterize, and evaluate the biocomposite materials for mechanical, thermal, and biodegradation performance. The project offers hands-on opportunities to collaborate with industry partners, providing practical experience and facilitating knowledge transfer for potential industrial adoption and sustainable commercialization. Research areas include biotechnology, microbiology, applied chemistry, environmental chemistry, industrial chemistry, organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, chemical engineering, nanotechnology, and polymers. The Graduate Research Excellence Scholarship (GRES) is available for successful applicants, offering a full tuition fee waiver and a monthly stipend for up to 3 years 6 months. To be eligible, candidates must hold a First Class Honours (H1) degree or its equivalent (H1E) recognized by Monash University Malaysia and meet English language requirements. The project is supervised by Associate Professor Pushpamalar Janarthanan, with Dr. Ang Chee Wei and Professor Wu Ta Yeong as associate supervisors. Applicants are encouraged to contact the main supervisor with their academic background and achievements to determine suitability for the research topic. If a good fit, applications should be submitted via the provided link, referencing the advertised research topic. The deadline for applications is July 31, 2026. For further details, consult the application submission guide and university website.

This PhD project at Monash University Malaysia focuses on developing biodegradable polymer-based hydrogels for the efficient capture and preservation of latent DNA and trace biomarkers from touch and trace evidence. Trace biological residues, such as sweat and epithelial cells, are valuable for forensic investigations but are often difficult to recover using conventional swabbing methods, which can result in low efficiency and sample degradation or contamination. The research aims to design tunable hydrogel systems using biopolymers like carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and chitosan, enhancing adsorption capacity and biomolecule stability. By integrating polymer chemistry and forensic science, the project seeks to improve trace evidence recovery and introduce a novel, non-destructive forensic sampling technology. The interdisciplinary approach covers biotechnology, molecular biology, applied chemistry, environmental chemistry, industrial chemistry, polymer chemistry, biomedical engineering, nanotechnology, and materials science. The project is supervised by Associate Professor Pushpamalar Janarthanan, with co-supervision from Dr. Ang Chee Wei and Professor Wu Ta Yeong. The successful candidate will join the Department of Science at Monash University Malaysia and benefit from a supportive research environment. Funding is available through the Graduate Research Excellence Scholarship (GRES), which provides a full tuition fee waiver and a monthly stipend for up to 3 years 6 months. To be eligible, applicants must have a First Class Honours (H1) or its equivalence (H1E) recognised by Monash University Malaysia and meet English language requirements. The application deadline is July 31, 2026. Interested candidates should first contact the main supervisor with their academic background and achievements to determine suitability for the research topic. If a good fit, applications should be submitted online, referencing the advertised research topic. Further details on application requirements and scholarship information are available via the provided link.

This PhD project at Monash University Malaysia tackles the urgent environmental challenge posed by single-use plastic waste, focusing on food packaging and cutlery. Malaysia's oil palm industry generates vast amounts of empty fruit bunch (EFB) biomass, which remains underutilized for sustainable applications. The research aims to develop a fully compostable biocomposite by combining polylactic acid (PLA), cellulose extracted from oil palm EFB, and clay, targeting the production of eco-friendly cutlery and packaging solutions. Students will synthesize, characterize, and evaluate the biocomposite materials for their mechanical, thermal, and biodegradation properties. The project offers hands-on experience in advanced materials science, polymer chemistry, and chemical engineering, with opportunities to collaborate with industry partners. This collaboration will facilitate knowledge transfer and support the commercialization of sustainable products. Successful applicants will be awarded the Graduate Research Excellence Scholarship (GRES), which provides a full tuition fee waiver and a monthly stipend for up to 3 years 6 months. To be eligible, candidates must hold a First Class Honours (H1) or equivalent qualification recognized by Monash University Malaysia and meet English language requirements. The project is ideal for students with backgrounds in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or related fields. The application deadline is July 31, 2026. Prospective candidates should first contact the main supervisor, Associate Professor Pushpamalar Janarthanan, to discuss their academic background and suitability for the project. If a good fit is established, applicants should submit their application through the provided link, referencing the research topic as advertised. Additional information about scholarships and the application process is available via the application submission guide. This research offers a unique opportunity to contribute to sustainable materials development, gain practical industry experience, and advance environmental solutions in Malaysia and beyond.