TATLER ASIA’S December 2023 issue unveiled 100 of Asia’s most influential persons.
Among those who were honoured in this year’s roster of extraordinary Asians is The Petri Dish editor-in-chief Ts. Dr Mahaletchumy Arujanan who is also executive director of the Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre (Mabic).
Having been selected in this group of definitive 100 titans, Mahaletchumy stands among the others as a thought leader and changemaker who has made a positive impact on the lives of people.
Now in its third year, Tatler Asia’s annual list presents 600 extraordinary leaders from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand. In its citation, Tatler Asia touted Mahaletchumy as an internationally renowned science communicator and as one who is championing the rights of many.[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”block” ihc_mb_who=”unreg” ihc_mb_template=”3″ ]
It said: “As the founder and editor-in-chief of The Petri Dish, Malaysia’s pioneering science paper, Mahaletchumy firmly believes in helping the public become more science literate and better empowered to make decisions that will affect their health and well-being.
“Holding a PhD in science communication from the Universiti of Malaya, she actively influences policies, facilitates research commercialisation and encourages greater involvement of women and youth in agribiotechnology and biosciences.”
According to Tatler Asia, Mahaletchumy is currently the global coordinator of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agribiotech Applications (ISAAA)-BioTrust – a non-profit organisation committed to disseminating crop biotechnology advantages to the farming sectors in developing countries.
“She is responsible for developing Malaysia’s first science communication training programme tailored to scientists, as well as the Asian Short Course on Agribiotechnology, Biosafety Regulations and Communication. In early 2023, she initiated the Short Course on Biosafety for Engineering Biology in the Middle East, Asia and Latin America,” added Tatler Asia.
Tatler Asia also noted that in 2015, Scientific American Worldview, named Mahaletchumy as one of the “100 Most Influential People in Biotechnology” in the world.
“Mahaletchumy embodies the essence of a modern influencer, dedicated to making science accessible to all,” added Tatler Asia.
In an interview with The Petri Dish, Mahaletchumy said professionals working in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) sector are unsung heroes who work behind the scenes.
“I am glad Tatler Asia is highlighting this and our work. It is so much needed at this time when students are not interested in pursuing STEM education and careers globally.
“And we are living in a post-truth, post-trust era full of pseudoscience.”
She said: “Decision-making by not just the public, even policymakers and politicians is not based on science. The voice of STEM professionals needs to be heard,” she added.
Mahaletchumy also came under the radar of the renowned British Nature Journal which featured her in its December 4 issue.
When asked by the Nature interviewer why she started The Petri Dish, Mahaletchumy, known for her rapid-fire rejoinders bluntly said: “Scientists publish mainly in journals, but politicians and policymakers don’t often read such articles. I also realised that the mainstream media usually has no empathy and passion for science, and I wanted a media resource that understood science and researchers better. That’s how science in Malaysia got its voice via The Petri Dish.[/ihc-hide-content]
