Section: Overview
Overview
Key publications
Research funding
Supervising & teaching
Career

Key details

Areas of expertise

  • Water and wastewater treatment
  • Membrane separation technology
  • Advanced oxidation processes
  • Resource and energy recovery from wastewater
  • Integrated urban water management

Available to supervise research students

Not available for media queries

About Shobha Muthukumaran

Dr Shobha Muthukumaran is an Associate Professor in Civil Engineering with the College of Sport, Health and Engineering and Research Fellow in the Institute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities at Victoria University. Prior to joining Victoria University in 2010, she worked at the University of Melbourne and Deakin University. Shobha completed her PhD at the University of Melbourne.

Shobha has over nineteen years of teaching and research experience in the fields of water and environmental engineering. Her research focuses on the area of wastewater processing, membrane separation process, advanced oxidation processes and integrated urban water management.

Her research work has made significant contributions and it has been widely highlighted in media articles. She has published more than 90 journal and conference publications, 3 book chapters and prepared several technical reports.

Shobha has been extensively involved in collaborative research projects and supervision of postgraduate students. Shobha is an active reviewer of many international journals focused on membrane separation technology, advanced oxidation processes and wastewater treatment.

In recognition of her research efforts, Shobha was awarded both Vice Chancellor’s Peak Award and Citation For Excellence In Research & Research Training (Research Team Category) and teaching time relief award for two and half years as part of Victoria University’s Collaborative Research Network (CRN) to conduct water management research.

Before commencing an academic career, Shobha spent more than nine years in Industry with position in Pollution Control Board, India.

Qualifications

  • PhD (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Chemistry), The University of Melbourne, Australia
  • M Tech (Chemical Engineering), National Institute of Technology, India
  • B Tech (Chemical Engineering), Anna University, India
  • Master of Problem Based Learning in Engineering and Science, (Module 2), Aalborg University, Denmark
  • Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Education, Victoria University, Australia

Key publications

Year Citation
2024 Gautam, R. K., Vithanage, N., More, N., Muthukumaran, S., & Navaratna, D. (240501). Biomethane recovery performance and microbial community dynamics of a high-biomass submerged AnMBR (HBSAnMBR) treating abattoir wastewater. Biochemical Engineering Journal, 205

doi: 10.1016/j.bej.2024.109275

2024 Syeda, H. I., Muthukumaran, S., & Baskaran, K. (240201). Shape-memory cellulose nanofiber/polyglutamic acid-based aerogels as novel adsorbents for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 58

doi: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2024.104780

2024 Samarasinghe, L. V., Muthukumaran, S., & Baskaran, K. (240201). Recent advances in visible light-activated photocatalysts for degradation of dyes: A comprehensive review. Chemosphere, 349

doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140818

2023 Syeda, H. I., Muthukumaran, S., & Baskaran, K. (231201). Polyglutamic acid and its derivatives as multi-functional biopolymers for the removal of heavy metals from water: A review. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 56

doi: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.104367

2023 Moazzem, S., Bhuiyan, M., Muthukumaran, S., Fagan, J., & Jegatheesan, V. (231201). Microbiome Wetlands in Nutrient and Contaminant Removal. Current Pollution Reports, 9(4), (694-709).

doi: 10.1007/s40726-023-00280-9

2023 Jayasooriya, V., Fernando, S., Silva, C., & Muthukumaran, S. (230901). Comparative analysis on the effectiveness of green roofs and photovoltaic panels as sustainable rooftop technologies. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(44), (98977-98992).

doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-28124-5

2023 Faiz, F., Cran, M. J., Zhang, J., Muthukumaran, S., & Sidiroglou, F. (230615). Graphene Oxide Doped Alginate Coated Optical Fiber Sensor for the Detection of Perfluorooctanoic Acid in Water. IEEE Sensors Journal, 23(12), (12861-12867).

doi: 10.1109/JSEN.2023.3271657

2023 Sharma, A. K., Sanciolo, P., Behroozi, A., Navaratna, D., & Muthukumaran, S. (230601). Stormwater Harvesting Potential for Local Reuse in an Urban Growth Area: A Case Study of Melton Growth Area in the West of Melbourne. Water (Switzerland), 15(11),

doi: 10.3390/w15112093

2023 Kumar, Gautam., Olubukola, A., More, N., Jegatheesan, V., Muthukumaran, S., & Navaratna, D. (230501). Evaluation of long-term operational and treatment performance of a high-biomass submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor treating abattoir wastewater. Chemical Engineering Journal, 463

doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2023.142145

2023 Mallya, D. S., Abdikheibari, S., Dumee, L. F., Muthukumaran, S., Lei, W., & Baskaran, K. (230401). Removal of natural organic matter from surface water sources by nanofiltration and surface engineering membranes for fouling mitigation - A review. Chemosphere, 321

doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138070

Research funding for the past 5 years

Please note:

  • Funding is ordered by the year the project commenced and may continue over several years.
  • Funding amounts for contact research are not disclosed to maintain commercial confidentiality.
  • The order of investigators is not indicative of the role they played in the research project.

Stormwater sampling and analysis for stormwater harvesting project in Werribee river catchment
From: Greater Western Water
Other investigators: Dr Dimuth Navaratna, Dr Ashok Sharma
For period: 2021-2022
$40,000
Next Generation Water Management in the Werribee River Catchment
From: Victorian Higher Education Strategic Investment Fund
Other investigators: Ms Rowena Price, Ms Karen Jackson, Dr Ashok Sharma, Dr Dimuth Navaratna, Prof Mikel Duke, Dr Daniel Ooi, Mr Nitin Muttil
For period: 2021-2022
$500,000
Increasing Viability of Wastewater Desalination in Regional Victoria (Horsham).
From: Future Drought Fund: Natural Resource Management Drought Resilience Program
Other investigators: Dr Peter Sanciolo, Dr Ashok Sharma, Prof Stephen Gray, Dr Dimuth Navaratna
For period: 2021-2022
$50,000

Pilot Plant Evaluation of a Novel Bio-membrane Waste Water Treatment Process
From: ARC - Industrial Transformation Research Hubs, Institute of Sustainability and Innovation, PVC (Research and Research Training), Akvotek Grant
Other investigators: Prof Stephen Gray
For period: 2017-2020
$646,383

Supervision of research students at VU

Available to supervise research students

Not available for media queries

Currently supervised research students at VU

No. of students Study level Role
1 PhD Associate supervisor

Currently supervised research students at VU

Students & level Role
PhD (1) Associate supervisor

Completed supervision of research students at VU

No. of students Study level Role
4 PhD Associate supervisor
1 Masters by Research Associate supervisor
1 PhD by Publication Associate supervisor

Completed supervision of research students at VU

Students & level Role
PhD (4) Associate supervisor
Masters by Research (1) Associate supervisor
PhD by Publication (1) Associate supervisor

Other supervision of research students

Shobha has completed co-supervision 2 PhD students one each at RMIT, Australia, 2018 and Deakin University, Australia 2014. Shobha is currently co-supervising 1 PhD student at RMIT, Australia and will start co-supervise 1 PhD student at Deakin University, Australia.

Teaching activities & experience

Teaching Responsibilities

Dr Muthukumaran teaches the following units at Victoria University:

  • NEC4101 Environmental Engineering 1 (Unit coordinator and Lecturer)
  • NEF4207 Engineering Applications (Unit coordinator and Lecturer)
  • NEC3201 Hydraulic Engineering (Lecturer)
  • NEF4101 & NEF4201 Research Project 1 & 2 (Lecturer)

She has previously taught the following units at VU:

  • VAC3031 Civil Engineering Design 1 (Unit Coordinator and Lecturer)
  • VAC4032 Civil Engineering Design 2 (Unit Coordinator and Lecturer)
  • VAC4081 Environmental Engineering 1 (Unit Coordinator and Lecturer)
  • VAC4082 Environmental Engineering 2 (Unit Coordinator and Lecturer)
  • NEF4102 & NEF4202 Capstone Projects (Lecturer).

Shobha Muthukumaran has previously taught the following units at Deakin University:

  • SEN740 Water Treatment processes (Postgraduate level- Unit Chair and Lecturer)
  • SEN741 Wastewater Treatment Processes and Membrane Technology (Postgraduate level- Lecturer)
  • SEV710 Risk and Environmental Sustainability (Postgraduate level- Unit chair and Lecturer)
  • SEN704 Principles of Bioprocessing (Postgraduate level- Unit chair and Lecturer)
  • SEV314 Industrial pollution control (Undergraduate level- Unit chair and Lecturer)
  • SEV328 Water and Wastewater Treatment (Undergraduate level- Lecturer)
  • SEV318 Environmental Impact Assessment (Undergraduate level- Unit chair and Lecturer)
  • SEV430 Engineering Audits and Quality Management System (Undergraduate level- Unit chair and Lecturer)
  • SEV313 Air Pollution and Solid Waste Management (Undergraduate level- Unit chair and Lecturer)
  • SEV216 Bioprocessing (Undergraduate level- Unit chair and Lecturer).

Key academic roles

Dates Role Department / Organisation
Jan 2020 - Present
Associate Professor
Victoria University
Jul 2013 - Dec 2019
Senior Lecturer
Victoria University
Aug 2010 - Jun 2013
Lecturer
Victoria University
Nov 2006 - Aug 2010
Research Academic
Deakin University
Jan 2006 - Oct 2006
Research Assistant
The University of Melbourne
Jun 2001 - Dec 2005
PhD Candidate
The University of Melbourne
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Dates Role & Department/Organisation
Jan 2020 -
Present
Associate Professor
Victoria University
Jul 2013 -
Dec 2019
Senior Lecturer
Victoria University
Aug 2010 -
Jun 2013
Lecturer
Victoria University
Nov 2006 -
Aug 2010
Research Academic
Deakin University
Jan 2006 -
Oct 2006
Research Assistant
The University of Melbourne
Jun 2001 -
Dec 2005
PhD Candidate
The University of Melbourne
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Key industry, community & government roles

Dates Role Department/Organisation
Sep 1990 - Jun 1999
Environmental Engineer
TamilNadu Pollution Control Board, Government of TamilNadu, India
Sep 1990 - Jun 1999
Part Time Trainer, Environmental Training Institute (ETI)
TamilNadu Pollution Control Board, Government of TamilNadu, India
Dates Role & Department/Organisation
Sep 1990 - Jun 1999
Environmental Engineer
TamilNadu Pollution Control Board, Government of TamilNadu, India
Sep 1990 - Jun 1999
Part Time Trainer, Environmental Training Institute (ETI)
TamilNadu Pollution Control Board, Government of TamilNadu, India

Awards

Year Award
2011

Vice Chancellor’s Citation Award for Excellence in Research and Research Training (Research Team category) - Victoria University

2011

Vice Chancellor’s Peak Award for Excellence in Research and Research Training (Research Team category). - Victoria University

2011

Teaching Time Release Award - Victoria University

2008

Travel Scholarship - Deakin University

2006

The David Hay Postgraduate Writing-up Awards - The University of Melbourne

2001

Australian Postgraduate Award - Australian Government

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Media appearances

24th August 2005

Method to milk protein (The Weekly Times)

A group of Melbourne University researchers may have found a way to speed up the process of extracting proteins form the milk.

11th July 2005

Ultrasonic edge sounds sweet for dairy industry

University of Melbourne researchers are developing ultrasound technology that could transform the Australian diary industry by overcoming many current difficulties in dairy processing.