Contact details +6469517297
Professor Munish Puri DPhil, , FRSC
Professor and Riddet-AgResearch Chair in Alternative Proteins
Riddet InstituteHe holds a PhD in Industrial Biotechnology from India and did his post-doctoral training in protein biotechnology at University of Oxford, UK. He spearheads a research team that uses bioprocessing (precision fermentation, metabolic enginnering and downstream processing) to address global challenges in sustainability, food security, and human well-being. Collectively, his research has led to high number of highly cited publications (175+) reflecting transformative research reaching a broad readership. The Stanford-Elsevier citation index ranked him amongst the top 10 Australian researchers in the field. Based on his contribution to industrial biotechnology, the Royal Society of Chemistry honored him with a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, UK. He is particularly recognized for the discovery of i) single cell oil production (Puri et al., Trends in Biotechnology 2021 and covered by 9 News, ABC Radio and Naturenews) and ii) enzyme-based technology for food bioactive extraction, a technology which is safe and improves product yield.
He has mentored 21 PhD students and 30+ master students to completion in the discipline of biotechnology. He has delivered keynote and invited talks at international conferences and 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.
Professor Munish FRSC, joined as an inaugural Riddet-AgResearch Chair in Alternative Proteins, is a leading biotechnologist and honoured for his outstanding contribution to bioprocessing. Munish is at the forefront of pioneering research in alternative proteins, precision fermentation, and cellular agriculture.
Professional
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy in Life Science - Punjabi University (1994)
Fellowships and Memberships
- Member, Royal Society of Chemistry, UK (Fellow) (2012)
- Member, The American Oil Chemists' Society (Member) (2023)
Research Expertise
Research Interests
Research interests:
- Developing microbial cell factories for high-value metabolite production such as proteins, enzymes and lipids
- Producing smart fats through precision fermentation
- Food biotechnology for nutraceutical extraction, and functional foods development
- Novel foods development relating to Omega-3/6 fatty acids,
- Nanotechnology for stabilizing enzymes and bioactives
Thematics
Health and Well-being, Future Food Systems
Area of Expertise
Field of research codes
Bioprocessing, Bioproduction and Bioproducts (100302):
Industrial Biotechnology (100300):
Technology (100000)
Research Projects
Current Projects
Project Title: Project 3.3 - Alternative proteins
Date Range: 2025 - 2028
Funding Body: Tertiary Education Commission
Project Team:
- Prof Munish Puri - Project Leader
- Mr John Henley-King - Team Member
- Miss Meka Faamanu Mapuilesua - Team Member
Teaching and Supervision
Teaching Statement
He has post-graduate teaching experience (10+ years) and remained Program Director of Master of biotechnology at various universities in Australia and India. Course taught: BioBusiness, Food Bioprocessing, Food Chemistry, Enzyme Technology, Industrial and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, and Microbial and Food Technology.
Current Doctoral Supervision
Main supervisor of:
- Shweta Sahni (Flinders University)- Doctor of Philosophy
- Fatemeh (Maggie) Malevkvandfard (Flinders University)- Doctor of Philosophy
Completed Doctoral Supervision: 21
Summary of Doctoral Supervision
| Position | Current | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| Main Supervisor | 1 | 0 |
Current Doctoral Supervision
Main Supervisor of:
-
Mona Kaspal
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Precision Fermentation for alternative protein production