Associate Professor – School of Applied Sciences (SAS)
Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Biotechnology (Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2017)
- M.Sc. in Biotechnology (Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2012)
- B. Sc. (Hons.) in Biotechnology (AIMST University, 2008)
Teaching and Research Experience:
- 1 March 2025 – Present: Associate Professor, School of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Integrated Life Sciences, Quest International University
- 1 Aug 2021 – 28 Feb 2025: Senior Lecturer, School of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Integrated Life Sciences, Quest International University
- 1 Aug 2018 – 31 July 2021: Lecturer, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Quest International University Perak
- Programmes taught:
- Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology (Honours)
- Bachelor of Environmental Technology (Honours)
- Diploma in Environmental Technology
- Master and Doctor of Philosophy programmes
Current Research Interest
- Plant tissue culture of various agricultural and horticultural species.
- Conservation and cryopreservation of rare and economically-important plant species.
- Plant secondary metabolism.
- Integration of LEDs in plant tissue culture.
Expertise
- Plant biotechnology
- Plant tissue culture
- Plant secondary metabolism
- Plant conservation
- Science communication
Commercial and Consulting Experiences
- Plant biomass production for sustainability and carbon-based markets
- Commercialisation of tissue-cultured ginger
- Plant tissue culture facility design and setup
- Agrotourism revitalisation projects
- Conservation of endangered plants and commercial hybrids
- Plant tissue culture workshops and seminars
Affiliations and Memberships
- Professional Technologist, Malaysian Board of Technologists (MBOT)
- HRD Corp Accredited Trainer
- Associate Editor, Malaysian Applied Biology Journal
- Affiliate, Young Scientists Network—Akademi Sains Malaysia (YSN-ASM)
- WEHAB++ Biodiversity Committee Member
- Member, Malaysian Biosecurity and Biosafety Association
- Member, Malaysia Society of Applied Biology
- Member, Malaysian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Awards and Achievements
- First Runner Up, Publication Excellence Award, Quest International University, 2022
- First Runner Up, Research Excellence Award, Quest International University, 2022
- Young Investigator Award, Young Scientists Network—Akademi Sains Malaysia (YSN-ASM) International Scientific Virtual Conference, 2021
- Yayasan Khazanah Scholarship: Ph. D. in Biotechnology, 2012-2017
- National Science Fellowship (NSF) Scholarship: M. Sc. in Biotechnology, 2009-2012
Publications
- Liu, W.Y.Y. and Poobathy, R. (2021). Biofertilizer Utilization in Forestry. In Biofertilizers (eds Inamuddin, M.I. Ahamed, R. Boddula and M. Rezakazemi), https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119724995.ch1
- Poobathy, R., Zakaria, R., Murugaiyah, V., & Subramaniam, S. (2019). Surface sterilization and micropropagation of Ludisia discolor. Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology, 22, 101380.
- Poobathy, R., Zakaria, R., Murugaiyah, V., & Subramaniam, S. (2018). Autofluorescence study and selected cyanidin quantification in the Jewel orchids Anoectochilus sp. and Ludisia discolor. PLoS ONE, 13(4), e0195642.
- Poobathy, R., Zakaria, R., Syed Hamzah, S. M. E. and Subramaniam, S. (2016). Early studies on protoplast isolation of Ludisia discolor, a wild orchid. Tropical Life Sciences Research, 27(1), 15-19.
- Poobathy, R., Sinniah, U. R., Xavier, R., & Subramaniam, S. (2013). Catalase and Superoxide Dismutase Activities and the Total Protein Content of Protocorm-Like Bodies of Dendrobium sonia-28 Subjected to Vitrification. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 170(5), 1066-1079.
