Dr. Mahaletchumy Arujanan

Pioneering the way for women in STEM, Dr. Mahaletchumy has championed science communication and the adoption of emerging biotechnologies, sustainable development and food security initiatives. In her career, she has founded the 1st science newspaper in Malaysia “The Petri Dish”, Science Media Centre Malaysia, and the Asian Short Course on Agribiotechnology, Biosafety and Communication. Today, she serves as the Global Coordinator for ISAAA as well as Executive Director for Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre.

As an internationally-renown speaker, Dr. Mahaletchumy has impacted Asia, Africa, and the Muslim world by first, opening the dialogue between ulama and scientists to reach a consensus on the halal status of genetically modified foods, and second, developing a resolution that is used as a reference. As a member of several national committees such as the Malaysian Board of Technologists (MBOT) and the Industry Advisory Panel for biotech programmes across seven universities, she has shaped national policies on Science, Technology and Innovation. In 2015, she was recognised by the Scientific American Worldview as one of the World’s Most Influential People in Biotechnology and featured in Women in Biotech Law (2015), a Mary Liebert publication.

To ensure a lasting legacy, Dr. Mahaletchumy is also heavily involved in scouting and shaping the next generation of STEM talents starting from primary level students all the way up to university graduates. Serving in youth programmes, she has trained thousands of graduates to be market-ready in STEM fields.

Impact is charting new paths to create desired changes. It is about being transformative and disruptive. It is also about creating more leaders in my field to continue a legacy.