Dr Ravigadevi becomes first Malaysian elected to Royal Society
KUALA LUMPUR: A Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, Dr Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society, making her the first Malaysian scientist at the world's oldest and most prestigious scientific academy.
It also marks a historic milestone for the country.
The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti), in a statement on Wednesday (May 21), said Ravigadevi will be officially inducted into the Society in London on July 11, 2025, where she will sign the Royal Society's historic Charter Book, a record that bears the signatures of scientific luminaries spanning more than three centuries.
A pioneering biotechnologist, Ravigadevi was appointed a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) in 2010 and is currently the Chair of the Biological, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Discipline.
She is also a Fellow of the World Academy of Sciences and a former Director of the Advanced Biotechnology and Breeding Centre at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), where she led transformative research in oil palm biochemistry and genomics.
"Her innovations have had a global impact, particularly in improving yield, resource efficiency and environmental sustainability.
"One of her most significant achievements was leading the team that decoded the oil palm genome, a major scientific breakthrough published in the prestigious journal Nature. This led to the discovery of the SHELL gene, which plays a key role in determining oil yield,' the statement read.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Chang Lih Kang, lauded the achievement, saying that Ravigadevi's election as the first Malaysian Fellow of the Royal Society marks a proud moment for the nation.
"This recognition is not only a personal triumph but also a symbol of what Malaysia stands for under the Malaysia Madani framework, a nation that uplifts prosperity through knowledge and champions sustainability through innovation.
"Mosti will continue to build an ecosystem that nurtures excellence, accelerates impact and positions Malaysia as a respected contributor to global science,' he said.
In response to the honour, Ravigadevi said the recognition was not a personal achievement, but a tribute to the exceptional teams she had the privilege of working with.
"Scientific progress is never the work of one individual. It is the product of shared vision, dedication, and collaboration. The vibrant research ecosystem at MPOB and our committed collaborators made all of this possible,' she said.
Meanwhile, ASM President Academician Datuk Dr Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen FASc said the inclusion of a Malaysian in the prestigious fellowship signals the increasing impact of Malaysia's scientific contributions globally.
"More importantly, Dr Ravigadevi's research has advanced scientific understanding and brought tangible societal benefits,' he said.
Founded in 1660, the Royal Society counts among its Fellows many of history's most influential scientists, including Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, and Stephen Hawking.
For 2025, more than 90 individuals from countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, China and Switzerland have been selected as Fellows of the Royal Society. - Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Plastic pollution: A crisis we're already eating
As a researcher with the Department of Fisheries Malaysia studying marine plastic pollution, I spend my days documenting a crisis that most people never see. Research on Malaysian beaches reveals between 64 to 1,930 pieces of plastic debris per square metre. Bottles, bags, food containers and abandoned fishing gear that tell the story of our plastic-dependent lifestyle. But this visible pollution represents only the surface of what our research team discovers when we dive deeper into our marine ecosystem. The scale of Malaysia's plastic challenge through a researcher's eyes My research on marine debris has taken me from the waters around Penang to remote fishing villages along our coastlines. Malaysia contributes an estimated 73,098 metric tonnes of plastic waste annually to our oceans, ranking us third globally among ocean polluters. This staggering figure becomes real when I examine the contents of fishing nets, increasingly filled with plastic debris alongside the day's catch. During field studies in the Straits of Malacca and South China Sea, waters that have sustained our fishing communities for generations, I've documented how these vital waterways have become major pathways for plastic debris. From single-use shopping bags to various types of marine debris, these items drift with currents, creating challenges for marine life and fishing operations. The research on marine debris includes studying lost and discarded fishing equipment, which represents a complex challenge in marine pollution. These items can continue to impact marine environments after they're unintentionally lost or discarded due to various factors including severe weather, equipment failure, or operational difficulties. During our surveys, we've documented how such equipment can accumulate marine life and smaller plastic debris as it drifts, highlighting the need for better prevention strategies and recovery programmes. The problem starts on land, as marine debris studies demonstrate. Inadequate waste management infrastructure, combined with increasing urbanisation, means that much of our plastic waste never reaches proper disposal facilities. Through our tracking studies, we've mapped how plastic travels from urban centres through rivers and storm drains, eventually reaching marine environments where it fragments into the microplastics my laboratory team analyses daily. The hidden dimension: My laboratory's microplastic discoveries While my field work documents massive plastic debris, the most startling discoveries happen in my laboratory. Our research, published in Physics and Chemistry of the Earth and conducted with colleagues from Marine Chemistry Laboratory, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, reveals that 93.3% of mackerel samples we examined contained microplastics, with an estimated microplastic intake to humans at 233.49 to 478.16 particles per year per capita. These are tiny fragments invisible to the naked eye that require microscopic analysis to detect. Building on this foundation, our recent study published in Environmental Science: Advances with the Microplastics Research Interest Group, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, provides detailed morphochemical analysis of microplastic fibres found specifically in the edible tissue of commercial fish from the South China Sea and Straits of Malacca. Both research studies focus on fish species destined for human consumption, making the findings particularly relevant to food safety and public health in Malaysia. Under the microscope, these particles tell a disturbing story across both studies. Concerning polymers were identified like PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and rayon as the most common types found in fish tissue. PTFE, familiar to consumers as non-stick coating, raises particular toxicity concerns when ingested by marine organisms. The morphochemical analysis reveals the detailed structure and composition of these fibres, providing crucial information about how different polymer types accumulate in fish tissue. What makes this research personally compelling is the direct connection to Malaysian dinner tables. When I extract these microscopic particles from fish caught by local fishermen—fish destined for markets and family meals—the abstract concept of plastic pollution becomes immediate and personal. The detailed morphochemical analysis of fibres in edible tissue reinforces that these aren't just environmental contaminants, but direct pathways into human food systems. These findings represent the culmination of my broader marine debris research: how large plastic waste eventually breaks down into particles that infiltrate the entire food web. Policy progress and persistent challenges Malaysia has begun addressing this crisis through targeted interventions. Plastic bag bans in select states achieved a 30% reduction in usage, demonstrating that policy action can yield measurable results. The government is now considering comprehensive legislation specifically targeting plastic dumping and pollution, recognising this as a threat to national environmental and economic security. However, the challenge extends beyond single-use plastics. Our waste management systems struggle to keep pace with growing plastic consumption. Informal dumping, inadequate recycling infrastructure, and limited producer responsibility programmes mean that much plastic waste still finds pathways to the ocean despite policy efforts. The regional dimension adds complexity. Malaysia plans to raise plastic pollution at the ASEAN Summit 2025, acknowledging that ocean currents carry debris across borders. A plastic bottle discarded in one country's river can wash up on distant shores, making this fundamentally a shared regional challenge requiring coordinated solutions. Learning from community innovation International examples offer hope for transforming waste management approaches. In Kerala, India, 5,000 fishermen have collected 65 metric tonnes of plastic waste from the sea, processing it into road surfacing material. Similar 'fishing for litter' programmes across Europe demonstrate how fishing communities can become active partners in ocean cleanup while generating economic value from recovered materials. The Department of Fisheries Malaysia is exploring incentive structures that could engage our fishing communities as partners in both plastic collection and marine monitoring programmes. These programmes recognise that fishermen possess intimate knowledge of changing ocean conditions and maintain strong economic stakes in healthy marine environments. From research to community impact Najihah Mohamad is the toxicology unit head and impact assessment research division research officer at the Fisheries Research Institute. My work extends beyond laboratory analysis to field collaboration with fishing communities. When I share with the public microplastic particles under the microscope extracted from fish and shellfish they bought to feed their families, their reactions reflect the broader awakening needed across Malaysia. These moments bridge the gap between scientific research and community understanding, transforming abstract data into personal concern. Through our marine debris surveys and microplastic monitoring, we've documented not just the extent of contamination, but also sparked community engagement. The research programmes have contributed to a 40% increase in voluntary clean-ups and 50% improvement in public understanding of plastic pollution issues. When communities see the direct connection between their daily choices and ocean health through the research findings, behavioural change follows. Our collaboration with university partners and NGOs has been essential for developing innovative research methodologies. Working protocols were refined for extracting and identifying microplastics from environmental and biota samples, developed protocols for surveying marine debris and discarded fishing gear, and currently try to establish monitoring systems that provide long-term data on contamination trends. Building comprehensive solutions: A long-term commitment Addressing Malaysia's plastic waste crisis requires action across the entire plastic lifecycle, but we must be realistic about the challenges ahead. While comprehensive methods and frameworks for tackling this crisis are still being developed, the Department of Fisheries Malaysia maintains continuous efforts to address this mounting challenge. This is not a problem that can be solved quickly or by government action alone as it requires sustained, long-term commitment from all parties. Enhanced waste management infrastructure must expand collection coverage while improving recycling capabilities. Producer responsibility programmes should make manufacturers accountable for their products' environmental costs, creating market incentives for sustainable packaging design. However, implementing these solutions requires coordination between government agencies, private sector partners, and civil society organisations. Community engagement remains crucial for changing consumption behaviours and improving waste separation at source. Educational initiatives must connect daily plastic choices to marine health outcomes, making the invisible connections visible for consumers. Yet behavioural change takes time and consistent reinforcement across all levels of society. Regional cooperation through Asean frameworks can address transboundary pollution through coordinated policies, shared monitoring systems, and joint cleanup initiatives. The waters that connect us can become channels for collaborative action rather than conduits for shared problems, but such cooperation requires political will and resource commitments from multiple nations. Our scientific collaborations between government agencies, universities, and NGO partners must continue expanding, ensuring that evidence-based approaches guide both policy development and community interventions. The Department of Fisheries Malaysia's ongoing research efforts provide the foundation for informed decision-making, but translating research into effective action remains an evolving process requiring patience and persistence. The stakes for Malaysia's future Current projections suggest we could have more plastic than fish in our seas by 2050, a timeline that feels both distant and alarmingly close when you spend your days, as I do, extracting plastic particles from fish organs. For a researcher documenting this crisis daily, these projections represent not abstract future scenarios but the logical extension of current contamination trends I observe in my laboratory and field studies. The evidence from our research demonstrates that this crisis has already infiltrated our food systems, affecting the fish that Malaysian families consume daily. Yet this evidence also represents our capacity to understand and respond to the challenge. Through systematic study of marine debris and microplastic contamination, we're building the knowledge base needed for effective intervention, even as we acknowledge that comprehensive solutions remain under development. Success stories from fishing communities worldwide prove that when properly supported, those closest to the ocean can become powerful allies in restoration efforts. Every tonne of plastic we prevent from entering waterways, every alternative material we develop, and every community we engage in cleanup efforts contributes to turning the tide. The health of our oceans and our communities remain inseparably linked. The waters of the Straits of Malacca and South China Sea that have sustained Malaysian communities for millennia deserve our full commitment to their protection. How we respond to this plastic waste crisis will determine whether future generations inherit oceans teeming with life or graveyards of our discarded convenience. The choice and the responsibility remain ours to make. By Najihah Mohamad, Fisheries Research Institute toxicology unit head and impact assessment research division research officer.
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
From nature tables to UK's Royal Society: Ravigadevi's love for science
Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi will be officially inducted into UK's Royal Society as a Fellow on July 11. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle) PETALING JAYA : Turning 70 years old is an incredible milestone, but for Turning 70 years old is an incredible milestone, but for Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi , the occasion will be extra special. On July 11, two days before she celebrates her birthday, Ravigadevi will be officially inducted into UK's Royal Society as a Fellow, making history as the first Malaysian to receive the honour. As part of the ceremony, Ravigadevi, a scientific consultant with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), will sign the centuries-old Royal Society's Charter Book, which bears the signatures of scientific greats such as Charles Darwin, known for his theory of evolution. In a recent interview, FMT Lifestyle learnt more about the woman behind this remarkable achievement. Her love for science was sparked in part by a 'nature table' at her primary school, Convent Bukit Nanas. She said students were encouraged to bring items found in nature, display them, and explain them to their classmates. 'Everyone learns from it. And it was such a fun way of learning,' she recalled. Her passion for science deepened in secondary school where she developed a love for chemistry, an interest that would later shape her future career. To this today, Ravigadevi remembers the dedication of her teachers, especially her late chemistry teacher, Mrs Maniam. 'She played a key role in my love for chemistry. She really knew how to nurture a love for the subject. That's why I say teachers play such an important role in getting kids to appreciate a subject.' Ravigadevi has received numerous accolades throughout her career – and has even met theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author Stephen Hawking. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle) At home, education was a priority for her parents. 'They never pushed us, but they also told us, 'It's up to you what you want to do. We won't tell you to be a lawyer or a doctor – you decide. But what you do, you must do the best,' she said. And that's exactly what she did. Throughout her career, Ravigadevi led transformative research in oil palm biochemistry and genomics, recognising its importance to Malaysia's economy. She became the founding director of the advanced biotechnology and breeding centre at MPOB, and led the oil palm genome project, successfully deciphering the genetic blueprint of the crop. She also helmed the team that identified the Shell gene, a key determinant of oil yields, uncovering the epigenetic cause of an abnormality that could potentially reduce yields significantly. These breakthroughs were published in the science journal, 'Nature'. She has received numerous accolades including the 'Knight of the International Order of Merit of Inventors' by the International Federation of Inventors Association'; the 'Tan Sri Augustine Ong Lifetime Achievement Award for Inventions and Innovations in Oil Palm'; and the 'Intel Environment Laureate' distinction from the Tech Museum, US. Ravigadevi credits her research team at MPOB for helping conduct breakthrough oil palm research. (Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi pic) She is also immensely grateful to her research team at MPOB as well as those from Orion Genomics USA and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory who she worked with. 'We can be the best if we want to. We just need the right ecosystem to thrive. And I was just so blessed that I had the right ecosystem, both in terms of infrastructure and support from my bosses and team. 'In order to be a good leader, you must also be a good team player. You cannot be one and not the other,' she said. Teamwork was also instrumental in helping her balance the demands of career and family – this time, with her husband, whom she described as 'very, very supportive'. Ravigadevi also made it a point to introduce her three children to her work, sparking their curiosity from young. Today, they are carving their own paths in economics, biotechnology and law, having studied in Harvard and MIT. Ravigadevi with her husband, Dr Subramaniam Krishnan and son, Abhilaash Subramaniam. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle) Just like her parents, she has valued education, actively participating in the parent-teacher associations of her children's schools, focusing on the education portfolio. She has also given free tuition, including to students from low-income families. To younger women scientists in Malaysia, she shared: 'Dare to dream big. Dare to fail. Dream – that's very, very important. Please don't ever stop that. Don't ever think you can't do it. Don't let anybody else define your limits. 'But at the same time, be grounded in good science. You have to get your basics right. And go do it. You can do it. We need you. We need more women in science.' Learn more about Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi here.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
#NSTviral: UTM student's rocketry dream takes flight in US, wins hearts online
KUALA LUMPUR: A video of a Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) student expressing pride in competing at the world's largest rocketry competition in the US has gone viral, drawing widespread praise and admiration online. In the 22-second TikTok clip, @niki_dnsh shared that his team was the only Malaysian group participating in the prestigious rocketry event held on American soil. "This is the peak of my university life. Who would have thought I'd set foot in the US at 23? "After months of hard work, sleepless nights and countless setbacks, we finally made it to the US. "It is truly an honour to represent my country. All gratitude to Allah for granting me the opportunity and resilience to persevere through every challenge," he said. The video has since garnered over 100,000 views, with TikTok users flooding the comments section with messages of encouragement, particularly from UTM alumni and Malaysians inspired by the team's achievement. User @Msaifithnain76 commented: "The government should take note of this and see its potential for national defence. Invest in our capabilities." Another user, @Rose, wrote: "Representing the entire country with a multiracial team like no other. Always proud to be Malaysian."
