Healthy Crops, Healthy Planet, Healthy Future: The Vision of Dr Purabi Mazumdar

UM Research
3 days ago
5 min read

Dr Purabi Mazumdar

UM Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre (UMPEDAC)

Area of Expertise:

Biotechnology > Agronomic, Molecular, and Biochemical > Urban Farming, aquaponics, hydroponics, and aeroponics

Lighting the Future of Farming

The soft glow of ultraviolet light may not be the first image that comes to mind when thinking about the future of farming. Yet for Dr Purabi Mazumdar, this invisible spectrum holds the power to change agriculture as we know it. In her laboratory at the Centre for Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture (CEBAR) at Universiti Malaya, she is transforming beams of UV light into powerful tools that protect crops from deadly pathogens, without the use of a single drop of chemical pesticide. “Healthy crops, healthy planet, healthy future,” she says, summing up the philosophy that drives her work.

From Botany to Bioenergy

Dr Purabi Mazumdar, a Senior Lecturer at CEBAR, has carved a unique niche at the intersection of UV-based agricultural technologies, plant–microbe interactions, and sustainable pathogen suppression. With a PhD in Bioenergy from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, where she worked on genetic improvement, biodiesel production, and environmental impact assessment, alongside an MSc and BSc in Botany, she brings both depth and breadth to her expertise in plant sciences.

Hands-on research in aquaponics at our Plant Biotech Facility, Centre for Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture (CEBAR).

Turning Point: Joining UM and Finding Purpose

Her turning point came in 2019 when she joined UM. “It was a defining moment,” she recalls. “The university was actively encouraging translational research, and I saw the opportunity to bridge fundamental plant science with real-world agricultural solutions.”

With my PhD student performing a disease survey in the aquaponics system. — Dr Purabi and her PhD student are performing a disease survey in the aquaponics system.

Innovation Spotlight: The UV Plant Treatment Device

This vision soon crystallised in 2024, when she filed a Malaysian patent for an innovative UV Plant Treatment Device that suppresses pathogen infection in crops. The device has already reached Technology Readiness Level 5, and with the support of a prestigious national research grant from CREST Malaysia in collaboration with HAVVA Agrotech Sdn. Bhd., she is now leading efforts to advance it toward higher levels of development. What began as a laboratory prototype is now being scaled into an autonomous UV robot, thanks to her collaboration with HAVVA Agrotech Sdn. Bhd. “The goal is to deliver sustainable pathogen suppression at a commercial scale, reducing pesticide dependence while improving crop quality and yield,” she explains.

Placing pak choy in the UV-LED treatment box for preharvest UV exposure.

Dual Strategy: Technology Meets Nature

Beyond UV light, Dr Purabi Mazumdar is equally passionate about harnessing beneficial microbes to strengthen plant immunity and boost yields. Her dual strategy, combining advanced technologies with natural biological allies, reflects a broader vision: reducing the environmental toll of pesticides while ensuring food security for a rapidly growing world. “My work addresses the pressing need for sustainable solutions to plant disease management in the face of climate change, rising global food demand, and the harmful effects of excessive pesticide use,” she notes.

Holding UV-treated tomatoes with enhanced lycopene and antioxidant levels. — Holding UV-treated tomatoes with enhanced lycopene and antioxidant levels

“My work addresses the pressing need for sustainable solutions to plant disease management in the face of climate change, rising global food demand, and the harmful effects of excessive pesticide use”- Dr Purabi Mazumdar

Tomato plants treated in the UV Plant Treatment Apparatus.

From Lab to Field: Bridging Research and Adoption

Dr Purabi's research does not stop at theory. The UV device and microbial formulations she develops are designed for practical adoption by farmers and industry. Through partnerships with industry leaders and the support of government funding bodies, she has successfully advanced her innovations closer to market readiness. Her work has been showcased at events like the CREST R&D Showcase and the UM Business Matching Day 2025, where she engaged directly with industry stakeholders and the public to highlight the promise of pesticide-free farming.

Mentors, Collaborations, and Personal Influences

Dr Purabi Mazumdar’s growth as a researcher has been shaped by both mentors and personal experiences. She credits Prof. D. Jennifer Ann Harikrishnan, Director of CEBAR, for guiding her early postdoctoral journey in Malaysia, and Dr. Tan Boon Chin for training her in academic programme development. Collaborations with colleagues, such as Dr Kah Ooi, Dr Fiqri, Dr Hafiza, and Dr Teo, have provided ongoing inspiration. Personal influences also played a role: her husband, Assoc. Professor Dr N. Ramakrishnan of Monash University Malaysia inspired her through his research on wearable UV sensors. A visit to Japan in 2020 exposed her to advanced LED light applications in agriculture, broadening her perspective on sustainable technologies.

Showcasing R&D achievements with CREST CEO Jaffri Ibrahim – 19 June 2025.

Resilience Through Challenges

Challenges have been part of the journey. Securing sufficient resources to take laboratory breakthroughs into the field is not easy, and optimising UV treatments for different crops requires painstaking trial and error. Yet she embraces these hurdles with resilience. “Setbacks are part of the process,” she reflects. “They often lead to stronger, more impactful outcomes.” What sustains her is the conviction that her work matters. “Knowing that farmers could use these technologies to reduce pesticides, protect the environment, and improve food quality gives me a strong sense of purpose,” she adds.

Dr Purabi and her PhD students at the UM Business Matching Day – 3 July 2025.

Vision for the Future of Farming

Looking forward, Dr Purabi envisions a future where autonomous UV robots, equipped with smart sensors, roam farms, monitoring crop health in real-time, while beneficial microbes complement UV treatments for holistic disease management. She sees these technologies integrated into controlled-environment agriculture, such as vertical and aquaponics systems, making sustainable farming viable in urban settings.

Call for Collaboration and Collective Action

Collaboration, Dr Purabi believes, is key to realising this vision. She is seeking partners in robotics, sensor technology, and controlled-environment agriculture, as well as industry and policy collaborators who can help validate and scale her innovations. “Research should not stop in the lab,” she stresses. “It has to reach the farmers and communities who need it most.”

Advice to Young Researchers and the Public

To young researchers, Dr Purabi's advice is simple yet powerful: “Stay curious, adaptable, and open to collaboration. Don’t be afraid to explore new ideas or cross into different disciplines, you never know where the next big insight will come from.” And to the public, she reminds us that sustainable agriculture is a collective responsibility: “Small changes, whether in research, farming, or daily choices, can collectively make a big difference for our food systems and our planet.”

“Stay curious, adaptable, and open to collaboration. Don’t be afraid to explore new ideas or cross into different disciplines, you never know where the next big insight will come from.” - Dr Purabi Mazumdar

A Vision Realised

Through her pioneering work, Dr Purabi Mazumdar is proving that science can be both innovative and practical, rigorous and compassionate. By bringing together ultraviolet light, microbial allies, and a steadfast vision of sustainability, she is lighting the path toward a future where farming is safer, smarter, and more sustainable for all. “Healthy crops, healthy planet, healthy future- that is the vision I strive to turn into reality.”

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