Mahaletchumy Arujanan Explained

Mahaletchumy Arujanan
Birth Date:1969 5, df=yes
Birth Place:Klang Valley, Selangor, Malaysia
Spouse:Selvamuthu Raja
Children:2 (Komalah & Deepa)
Parents:Arujanan Periasamy and Mariyayee. S

Mahaletchumy Arujanan (born 25 May 1969) is a Malaysian science communicator of Malaysian Indian origin. She works as the Global Coordinator of International Service for the Acquisition of Agribiotech Applications (ISAAA) and executive director of Malaysian Biotechnology Information Center (MABIC).

She became a public figure in 2015 when she was listed as one of the 100 most influential people in the field of biotechnology by the 7th edition of The Scientific American Worldwide View: A Global Biotechnology Perspective Journal.[1]

She has a bachelor's degree in biochemistry and microbiology from University Putra Malaysia, a Masters in Biotechnology and a Ph.D. in Science Communication from the University of Malaya. January 2003, she joined MABIC as a project officer and took over as the executive director in May 2005.[2]

Arujanan founded the country's first biotechnology newspaper, The Petri Dish. She is a recipient of 2010 TWAS Regional Prize for Public Understanding of Science for East, Southeast Asia, and Pacific Region,[3] and has been listed as one of the prominent women in biotechnology law and regulations by Biotechnology Law Report.[4] She was recognized as one of the Great Women of Our Time by the Malaysian Women's Weekly in their December 2015 issue.[5]

Early life and education

Arujanan was born in Klang Valley, Malaysia to a Tamil school headmaster.[6]

Mahaletchumy Arujanan started her primary and secondary education at Convent Klang and continued her pre-university (STPM) at ACS Klang. She pursued her bachelor's degree in University Putra Malaysia, majoring in Microbiology and Biochemistry and graduated in 1993. She continued her Masters in Biotechnology at University of Malaya and graduated in 1997.[7] Realising the knowledge barrier between scientists and non-technical stakeholders, Arujanan decided to pursue her PhD in Science Communication, becoming the 1st to do so in Malaysia.[8]

Career

Arujanan started her career as a Technical and Admin Officer with Sandoz Agro Chemicals in 1992. Her stint at Sandoz did not last long as the company merged with Ciba Geigy and the regional office she was working was closed. She joined The International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, now known as Bioversity International as a Programme Officer. She left after 2 years to join the healthcare company DXN. Arujanan left DXN and joined Total Health Concept. 1999 to 2002, Arujanan was struggling to build a career and finally left Total Health Concept in 2002.

She joined the Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre (MABIC) in January 2003 as a Project Officer and was promoted to be the Executive Director in May 2005. Arujanan revamped MABIC, made efforts to introduce the center to key ministries and government agencies, and forged a strong relationship with international partners. She started engaging with various stakeholders to create awareness on biotechnology.[9] This led her to be a pioneer in science communication in Malaysia. She was appointed the Global Coordinator of ISAAA on 1 May 2019.[10] She is now responsible for the entire network of ISAAA that has its presence in South East Asia, South Asia, East Asia, Africa, USA, and Latin America.

Professional roles

Arujanan is appointed to a number of committees and advisory panels:

  1. FAO's International Consultant on Strategy for Public Participation and Outreach for Sri Lanka[11]
  2. Farming Future Bangladesh, Advisory Board Member[12]
  3. Cornell Alliance for Science, Advisory Board Member[13]
  4. National Bioethics Council, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation[14]
  5. Selangor Bio Council[15]
  6. Industry Advisory Board, school of Science, Monash University Malaysia[16]
  7. Industry Advisory Panel, Biotechnology Programme, Nilai International University[17]
  8. Industry Advisory Board, School of Biosciences, Taylor's University[18]
  9. Industry Advisory Board, Biotechnology Programme, Sunway University[19]
  10. Industry Advisory Panel, Faculty of Resource Science & Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak[20]
  11. Industry Advisory Board, Quest International University Perak[21]
  12. Adjunct Lecturer, School of Science, Monash University Malaysia[22]
  13. Ad hoc Committee, Biosafety, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Malaysia[23]
  14. Trainer/Consultant, Malaysian Bioeconomy Corporation[24]
  15. Trainer, Industry Cluster of Excellence, Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia[25]

The Petri Dish

Arujanan is the founding editor-in-chief for the first science newspaper in Malaysia, The Petri Dish.[26] The newspaper was initiated to bring biotechnology/science to the public domain.

The newspaper started as a 12-page monthly in February 2011 with a circulation of 2,000 copies and has grown into a 20-page publication with 6,000 copies circulated to key stakeholders in the fields of science/biotechnology in Malaysia. With a strong belief that science should reach the public, Arujanan made efforts to circulate The Petri Dish to shopping malls, private hospitals, Starbucks outlets, ministries and government agencies related to science, hotels, Malaysian airports, Parliament library and selected car service centres. In Feb 2017, Arujanan created an online portal for The Petri Dish.[27]

Contributions

Biotechnology communication

  1. Arujanan initiated several dialogues between scientists and ulama (Islamic scholars) to bridge the knowledge gap between the two groups. Despite being non-Muslim, she immensely contributed towards Muslim countries by creating awareness on agriculture biotechnology and food security. Her initiatives translate into the adoption of a resolution urging Muslim countries to adopt agriculture biotechnology.[28] This is being used as a reference in Muslim countries.
  2. Arujanan introduced various non-traditional approaches to bring biotechnology to the public. One of it was through a fashion show.[29] This was later adopted by her Kenyan counterpart.[30]
  3. Arujanan also introduced a carnival concept to create awareness on biotechnology to school students by engaging them with public speaking, debates, quiz, poster drawing and coloring competitions[31]
  4. Arujanan was also very actively involved in advocating for a balanced biosafety regulation.[32] She organized several conferences and seminars to create awareness among Malaysian and Asian scientists, policymakers, regulators and industry players on the need for a science-based biosafety regulation.
  5. Arujanan is a regular speaker around the world where she promotes agribiotechnology as a tool to ensure food security, alleviate poverty among farmers and sustainable development[33] [34] [35]
  6. Arujanan also founded the Asian Short Course on Agribiotechnology, Biosafety Regulations, and Communication (ASCA) in 2018 to create a capacity building platform for Asian policymakers and regulators in modern Agribiotechnology, a multidisciplinary sector that involves international and national law, the science of modern biotechnology, socioeconomics, risk assessment, and management and communication. ASCA allows Asian stakeholders to upscale themselves in these areas without having to seek for training in the USA.[36]

Society

Arujanan is an active speaker at schools and community events.[37]

Roles and awards

Official positions
Global CoordinatorISAAA
Executive DirectorMalaysian Biotechnology Information Centre
Editor-in-ChiefThe Petri Dish
International Consultant on Strategy for Public Participation and OutreachUN FAO (Sri Lanka)
Awards/Nominations
Finalist Women of the Future SEA 2019 (mentor)Women of the Future Awards SEA (2019)[38]
100 Most Influential People in Biotechnology

in the world

Scientific American Worldview (2015)[39]
Women in Biotechnology Law and Regulation[40] Biotechnology Law Report, Mary Ann Liebert (2015)
Great Women of our TimeMalaysian Women's Weekly (2015)[41]
Regional Prize for Public Understanding of Science Third World Academy of Science (2010)

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Alexandra Hariri . Richard Gallagher . 2015 . The visionaries who continue to reshape biotechnology - and the world . 16 Nov 2023 . Scientific American.
  2. Web site: Team . 8 February 2016 . 22 October 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181022003244/http://www.bic.org.my/about-us/team . dead .
  3. Web site: 2010 . Third World Academy of Sciences . 16 Nov 2023 . Third World Academy of Sciences.
  4. Women in Biotechnology Law and Regulation. Biotechnology Law Report. 34. 3. 107–118. 10.1089/blr.2015.28999. 1 June 2015.
  5. Web site: Science and Technology Nominee 2015: Dr Mahaletchumy Arujanan. The Weekly. 27 February 2017.
  6. Web site: Kamlesh Kumar. 10 things about: Mahaletchumy Arujanan, biotechnologist putting Malaysia on the world map. . 27 September 2015 . 8 February 2015.
  7. Web site: University Malaya . University Malaya. Thesis and Dissertation Collection . 16 Nov 2023 . University of Malaya.
  8. Web site: University of Malaya . 2013 . University Malaya. Thesis and Dissertation Collection . 16 Nov 2023 . University of Malaya.
  9. Web site: LinkedIn. Arujanan. Mahaletchumy. 24 Feb 2017.
  10. Web site: New ISAAA Global Coordinator. Crop Biotech Update.
  11. Web site: LinkedIn. 10 Feb 2019.
  12. Web site: LinkedIn. 10 Feb 2019.
  13. Web site: Cornell Alliance for Science.
  14. Web site: Bioetika. MOSTI. Bioetika. 24 Feb 2017.
  15. Web site: Boosting the state's economy. Muthaiah. Vani. The Star. 24 February 2017.
  16. Web site: Inaugural Industry Advisory Board. Monash University. 2015. 24 Feb 2017.
  17. Web site: LinkedIn. Arujanan. Mahaletchumy. 24 Feb 2017.
  18. Web site: CV Arujanan. Arujanan. Mahaletchumy. 24 Feb 2017.
  19. Web site: CV Arujanan. Arujanan. Mahaletchumy. 24 Feb 2017.
  20. Web site: CV Arujanan. Arujanan. Mahaletchumy. 24 Feb 2017.
  21. Web site: Distinguished Biotechnology Industry Advisors at QIUP. Quest. Quest. 24 Feb 2017.
  22. Web site: School of Science. Monash University. 24 Feb 2017.
  23. Web site: CV Arujanan. Arujanan. Mahaletchumy. 24 Feb 2017.
  24. Web site: LinkedIn. Arujanan. Mahaletchumy. 24 Feb 2017.
  25. Web site: ICoE. Industry Cluster of Excellence. Facebook. 24 Feb 2017.
  26. Web site: The Petri Dish. 24 Feb 2017.
  27. Web site: The Petri Dish. www.thepetridish.my. 26 Feb 2017.
  28. Web site: International Workshop for Islamic Scholars on Agribiotechnology: Shariah Compliance. Shaikh Mohd Salleh. Shaikh Mohd Saifuddeen. 2012. 26 Feb 2017.
  29. Web site: M'sia to host first-ever Bio-fashion show at MyBio Carnival. Bernama. 20 September 2010. 26 Feb 2017.
  30. Web site: Kenya Biotechnology Information Centre. Kebic. 27 February 2017.
  31. Web site: MyBio Carnival: Where Passion Meets Fashion. ISAAA. 2010. ISAAA Org. 26 Feb 2017.
  32. Web site: Law of Malaysia, Act 678, Biosafety Act 2007. Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. 2007. 26 Feb 2017.
  33. Web site: TEDx Talk: GMO: Seeds of destruction?. TEDx. YouTube. 8 August 2016. 26 Feb 2017.
  34. Web site: Dra. Maha Arujanan: Lo que necesitamos es tecnología. Embajada Estados Unidos en México. YouTube. 11 September 2015. 26 Feb 2017.
  35. Web site: GM crops in Asia and Vandhana Shiva. Public Research and Regulation Initiative. YouTube. 7 October 2016. 26 Feb 2017.
  36. Web site: APAARI.
  37. Web site: Facebook. Arujanan. Mahaletchumy. Facebook. 27 Feb 2017.
  38. Web site: Women of the Future Awards Southeast Asia Winner & Shortlist 2019.
  39. May. Mike. 2015. The visionaries who continue to reshape biotechnology - and the world. Scientific American WorldView. 7. 8–21.
  40. Holman. Christopher. 18 June 2015. Women in Biotechnology Law and Regulation. Biotechnology Law Report. 34. 3. 107–118. 10.1089/blr.2015.28999.
  41. Kwong. Elaine. Dec 2015. Great women of our time 2015. The Malaysian Women's Weekly. Dec 2015. 35–48.

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