Associate Professor Munish Puri

Academic Status

College of Medicine and Public Health

place Health Sciences (4.23)
GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, South Australia

Professor Puri FRSC is an established leader in the area of bioprocessing (industrial biotechnology). He obtained his Ph.D. in India and did his postdoctoral research at the University of Oxford, UK. He leads a research team that uses bioprocessing (microbial) to address global challenges in sustainability, food security, and human well-being. His lab has four major programs: a) metabolite production through "microbial cell manufacturing" for producing therapeutic proteins, enzymes, and lipids, b) food biotechnology for nutraceutical extraction, functional foods, and novel foods development relating to Omega 3 fatty acids, c) nanotechnology for enhancing thermostability of enzymes and bioactive with applications for health products and d) health substantiation by validation of bioactives functionality. He has published 150+ research papers (see SCOPUS, Researchgate, and Google Scholar) in the leading international journals of the discipline "Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology". Collectively, his research has led to a high number of highly cited publications. Over the years, he has supervised 21 students to Ph.D. completion in the discipline of biotechnology. He is on the Editorial board of research journals such as Algal Research, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Catalysts, Marine Drugs, and Journal of Carbohydrate Polymer Technology.

Munish has applied his research background to biotechnology teaching, and his teaching revolves around interactive inquiry-driven learning. His teaching focuses on empowering future biotechnologists to become drivers of innovation and impact in the field. At Flinders University, his leadership has fostered excellence in teaching and learning by leading the review of the Master of Biotechnology program. He has strengthened the biotechnology program by introducing new topics in the program that create WIL opportunities through industry placements and address the dynamic nature of biotechnology.

Qualifications

Ph.D. Biotechnology

Honours, awards and grants

2022-23: Industry Funding for developing plant-based meats

2022-24: CRC-P funding on Advanced lipid fermentation for local manufacture of future foods (through advanced manufacturing)

2021: Industry Funding for developing Sustainable oils rich in PUFAs, Nourish Australia (Precision fermentation)

2020: Industry Partnership Seed Grant, Flinders University

2019: Industry funding for developing single-cell oil-enriched biomass for aquafeeds

2018-219: Industry Funding for developing sustainable oils rich in SFA, Singapore (Precision fermentation)

2015, 2016: Cross-College Funding Award, Deakin University

2015: Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), UK

2014: Visiting Professorship at National Keng Chung University and Ming Chi University of Technology, Taiwan.

2012:Scroll of honor for outstanding contribution to Industrial Bioprocessing (IFBiop, France).

2009: Victorian Premier Award, Melbourne, Australia

2004: University of New South Wales Australia- Asia Fellow, Australia

2002: University of Oxford, Commonwealth Fellow, UK

Key responsibilities

He led the themes of "Health and Nutrition" and "Food Security" within the Medical Biotechnology research program at the College of Medicine and Public Health. His expertise in bioprocessing (microbial manufacturing, precision fermentation and advanced manufacturing) guides research toward sustainable technology development. Additionally, he has served in the role of Program Coordinator for the Master in Biotechnology course.

Teaching interests

My teaching is student-centered, interactive, and engaging. I update my teaching and learning approach based on student feedback, the latest teaching practices, peer discussion as well as self-reflection. I am passionate about popularising biotechnology with an emphasis on Protein and Medical Biotechnology, Food Biotechnology, Marine Biotechnology, and Nutritional Biotechnology.

Munish has applied his research background to biotechnology teaching, and his teaching revolves around interactive inquiry-driven learning. His teaching focuses on empowering future biotechnologists to become drivers of innovation and impact in the field. At Flinders University, his leadership has fostered excellence in teaching and learning by leading the review of the Master of Biotechnology program. He has strengthened the biotechnology program by introducing new topics in the program that create WIL opportunities through industry placements and address the dynamic nature of biotechnology.

Topic coordinator
BTEC8004 BioBusiness
BTEC9100A Biotechnology Research Projects A
BTEC9100B Biotechnology Research Projects
BTEC1001 Introduction to Biotechnology
BTEC9200 Biotechnology Research Projetcs
BTEC8008 Food Bioprocessing
Topic lecturer
BTEC3005 Integrating Biotechnology
BTEC3003 Industrial and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Supervisory interests
Bioprocessing
Industrial biotechnology
Medical biotechnology
Higher degree by research supervision
Current
Principal supervisor: Bioprocessing (2)
Associate supervisor: Medical Biotechnology (1)
Expert for media contact
Biotechnology
Energy - Renewable
Fermentation technology
Microbial manufacturing
Single cell oil
Available for contact via
Or contact the media team
+61 8 82012092
0427 398 713
Media expertise
  • Biotechnology
  • Energy - Renewable
  • Fermentation technology
Interests
  • Microbial manufacturing
  • Single cell oil