In a historic achievement of Malaysian science, Dr Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society, the United Kingdom’s esteemed national academy of sciences. The inspiring biochemist is the first researcher based in Malaysia to receive this rare honour, placing her among the world’s most influential scientific minds.
The Royal Society, established in 1660, is one of the oldest and most prestigious scientific institutions globally. Its newly elected members include scientists from various disciplines, from artificial intelligence and global health to electron microscopy and neuroscience. Among them are a Nobel Prize winning researcher whose team developed the transformative AI model AlphaFold and public health experts combating global epidemics.
Dr Ravigadevi, who was born in Johor Bahru in 1955 and currently lives in Petaling Jaya, will be formally inducted into the Royal Society in London on 11th July, just two days before her 70th birthday. She will mark the occasion by signing the Royal Society Charter Book, a book that has the signatures of legendary scientific figures including Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking.
“This recognition is not mine alone. True scientific advancement rarely happens in isolation. Our breakthroughs were the result of seamless collaboration with international partners and a shared commitment to ensuring science serves humanity and the planet”.
Currently a scientific consultant with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Dr Ravigadevi has made significant contributions to the scientific understanding of palm oil and biotechnology throughout her career. She holds a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and microbiology from Universiti Malaya (1979) and a PhD in biochemistry from University College London (1983).
Her leadership roles extend beyond MPOB. She currently heads the biological, agricultural and environmental sciences division at the Academy of Sciences Malaysia and sits on the board of trustees of the Malaysian Invention and Design Foundation.
Despite the individual honor, Dr Ravigadevi emphasized the importance of community and teamwork.
“This is a shared honor with the exceptional team I had the privilege of leading at MPOB”, she said.
The Royal Society notes that this year’s Fellow and Foreign Members hail from a range of countries including Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa, China and Switzerland, reflecting the academy’s continued focus on global scientific excellence.
Royal Society president Sir Adrian Smith praised the 2024 cohort as “representing the very best of scientific endeavor from fundamental discoveries to research with real-world impact across health, technology and policy”.
Dr Ravigadevi’s election is not only a personal milestone but a proud moment for Malaysia’s scientific community, a symbol of the nation’s growing presence on the world stage of research and innovation.
Sources: The Royal Society, FMT, NST
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