Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hema Ramachandran

Senior Lecturer,
School of Biological Sciences

Qualifications:

  • PhD in Microbial Biotechnology (USM, 2014)
  • Bsc (Hons) in Applied Biology (USM, 2009)

Teaching and Research Experience:

BSc (Hons) Biotechnology  (April 2014 – Present)

  • Senior Lecturer – School of Biological Sciences, QIUP (2018 to present)
  • Lecturer- School of Biological Sciences, QIUP (2014-2017)

Research (2009 – Present)

  • Production of biopolymer using microbial fermentation technology, with particular emphasis on the P(3HB-co-4HB) copolymer
  • Development of PHA based microspheres for drug delivery treatment
  • Natural product development from medicinal plant

Research Interest

  • Material Sciences (Polymeric Materials/ Microbial Polymer/Nanocomposites)
  • Fermentation Technology
  • Natural Products

Research Grant

  • Project leader (2014-2018): Influence of glycerine pitch on the mechanism of regulation of 4HB monomer compositions in the poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) biosynthesis. (Fundamental Research Grant Scheme)

Research Awards

  • Silver Award: Biopolymer Microspheres as Matrix for Controlled Delivery of Caesalpiniaceae: An innovative approach in the uterine fibroid treatment. Malaysian Technology Expo (MTE 2020)
  • Silver Award: Biodegradable And Biocompatible Polyhydroxyalkanoates Microspheres As Matrix For Encapsulation Of Caesalpinia Bonducella Extract, The International Innovation, Invention & Design Competition “Reinventing the Fundamentals’.(INDES 2019)
Administrative Appointments / Committee Involvements

Current

  • Centre for Research & Innovation Curriculum Committee member 
  • QIU Joint Research Animal Ethics (JREC) Committee member
  • Scientific and Technical Committee member of the UTAR Intervarsity Science Symposium (UISS) 2021 
  • Course coordinator (Biochemistry 1 & 2, Scientific Writing, Fermentation Technology and Microbial Physiology)

Past

  • Chairperson of the QIU Intervarsity Science Symposium (QISS) 2019 committee.

  • Scientific and Technical Committee member of the UTAR Intervarsity Science Symposium (UISS) 2018

  • Advisor of QIU Hindu Society (2014-2015)

  • Chairperson of the QIU Intervarsity Science Symposium (QISS) 2019 committee.
  • Scientific and Technical Committee member of the UTAR Intervarsity Science Symposium (UISS) 2021
  • Advisor of QIU Hindu Society  
Publications

Journal

 

  1. Ramachandran, H., Shafie, N.A.H., Sudesh, K., Azizan, M.N, Majid, M.I.A. and Amirul, A.-A.A. (2018). Cupriavidus malaysiensis sp. nov., a novel poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) accumulating bacterium isolated from the Malaysian environment. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, 111(3):361-372.
  2. Iszatty, I. Noor Aidda, O. Hema, R. and Amirul, A.A. (2017). Combination of 4-hydroxybutyrate carbon precursors as substrate for simultaneous production of P(3HB-co-4HB) and yellow pigment by Cupriavidus sp. USMAHM13. Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 42:2303-2311.
  3. Ismail, I., Gurusamy, T.P., Ramachandran, H. and Amirul, A.A.-A. (2017). Enhanced production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) copolymer and antimicrobial yellow pigmentation from Cupriavidus sp. USMAHM13 with antibiofilm capability. Preparative Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 47:388-396.
  4. Shafie, N.A.H., Lau, N.-S., Ramachandran, H., Amirul, A.-A.A. (2017). Complete genome sequences of three Cupriavidus strains isolated from various Malaysian environments. Genome Announcement, 5:e01498-16
  5. Ramachandran, H., Iqbal, M.A. and Amirul, A.A. (2014). Identification and characterization of the yellow pigment synthesized by Cupriavidus sp. USMAHM13. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 174:461-470.
  6. Ramachandran, H., Amirul, A.A. (2014). Bioconversion of glycerine pitch into a novel yellow-pigmented P(3HB-co-4HB) copolymer: Synergistic effect of ammonium acetate and polymer characteristics. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 172:891-909.
  7. Ramachandran, H., Amirul, A.A. (2013). Evaluation of unrefined glycerine pitch as an efficient renewable carbon resource for the biosynthesis of novel yellow-pigmented P(3HB-co-4HB) copolymer towards green technology. Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering, 18:1250-1257.
  8. Ramachandran, H., Amirul, A.A. (2013). Yellow-pigmented Cupriavidus sp., a novel bacterium capable of utilizing glycerine pitch for the sustainable production of P(3HB-co-4HB) copolymer. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 88:1030-1038.
  9. Hema, R., Ng, P.N., Amirul, A.A. (2013). Green nanobiocomposite: reinforcement effect of montmorillonite clays on physical and biological advancement of various polyhydroxyalkanoates. Polymer Bulletin, 70:755-771.
  10. Ramachandran H., Iqbal N. M., Sipaut C. S. and Amirul A. A. (2011). Biosynthesis and characterization of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) terpolymer with various monomer compositions by Cupriavidus sp. USMAA2-4. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 164:867-877. 

 

Book  

  1. Amirul, A.-A., Ramachandran, H., Huong, K.-H. and Kannusamy, S. (2015). Microbial-based polyhydroxyalkanoates: Upstream and Downstream Processing. Smithers Rapra, United Kingdom. 

 

Chapter in the book

  1. Shantini, K., Huong, K.-H., Ramachandran, H. and Amirul, A.A. (2015). Microbial production of polyhydroxyalkanoates for agricultural and aquacultural applications. In: M.-T. Liong (ed.). Beneficial microorganisms in agriculture, aquaculture and other areas. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 129-164.
  2. Ramachandran, H., Kannusamy, S., Huong, K.-H, Mathava, R. and Amirul, A.-A. (2014). Blends of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). In: Roy, I. and Visakh, P.M (eds). Natural polymers series: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) based blends, composites and nanocomposites. United Kingdom: Royal Society of Chemistry, 66-97.

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