Brief Profile
Dr. S. Anbazhagi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Science, School of Earth Science Systems, Central University of Kerala, India, with over 17 years of experience in teaching, research, academic administration, and community engagement. She obtained her Ph.D. in Environmental Science from CSIR–National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR–NEERI), India, one of the country's premier research institutions in environmental science and engineering. She also holds Postgraduate Diplomas in Marine Environmental Pollution Management and Nano biotechnology, reflecting her interdisciplinary academic background. She has successfully qualified the UGC-NET in Environmental Science on multiple occasions.
Her research interests encompass environmental health, wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE), contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and microplastics (MPs), environmental monitoring, sustainable wastewater treatment, waste-to-energy technologies, bioelectrochemical systems such as microbial fuel cells (MFCs), pathogen inactivation, circular economy approaches, environmental risk assessment, and the sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems.
Dr. Anbazhagi has successfully secured and led several externally funded research projects supported by major national funding agencies, including the Department of Science and Technology (DST), University Grants Commission (UGC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching (PMMMNMTT), Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India. Her research integrates fundamental science with translational and community-oriented approaches to address contemporary environmental and public health challenges.
She is a two-time recipient of the DST Young Scientist Fellowship, recognising her sustained scientific contributions and research excellence. She has also received International Travel Grants from the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to present her research at international scientific conferences and academic forums, including at the University of Illinois and Boston, USA, thereby fostering international scientific collaborations and strengthening global research networks.
To further enhance her interdisciplinary expertise, Dr. Anbazhagi completed the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Certification for Food Managers at Rutgers University, USA, with specialized training in environmental health, food safety, and public health.
She has established a strong scholarly profile with more than 75 peer-reviewed research publications, along with a patent, books, and book chapters published by reputed national and international publishers. She serves as a reviewer for several leading international journals and actively contributes to multidisciplinary research collaborations in environmental science, water quality, environmental biotechnology, and public health.
Her academic excellence and scientific contributions have been recognised through several prestigious honours, including the Outstanding Women Scientist Award (2026), National Environmental Science Academy (NESA) Fellowship (2025), International Excellency Award in Environmental Science (2023), NESA Eminent Scientist Award (2023), and the Environmentalist of the Year Award (2022). She has also received multiple Best Oral Presentation Awards at international scientific conferences held in India, Malaysia, and Thailand, in addition to institutional recognitions such as Woman of the Year and Best NSS Programme Coordinator at the Central University of Kerala.
Beyond her research and teaching, Dr. Anbazhagi has made significant contributions to academic leadership and university administration. She has served as Associate Dean of Students' Welfare (ADSW), Women's Hostel Warden, and currently serves as the Deputy Proctor of the Central University of Kerala. Through these roles, she has contributed to student welfare, campus governance, mentoring, and the promotion of a safe, inclusive, and student-friendly academic environment.
As the NSS Programme Coordinator, she has actively led student-centred extension programmes and community outreach initiatives focusing on environmental awareness, water conservation, sanitation, waste management, plastic pollution, climate resilience, public health, disaster preparedness, youth empowerment, and sustainable development, particularly among rural and coastal communities. She has coordinated several flagship programmes, including the Yuva Aapda Mitra Residential Camp for Disaster Management, Youth Festivals, Disaster Management Training Programmes for NSS Programme Officers, and numerous awareness campaigns under national initiatives.
Dr. Anbazhagi has also served as the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) Nodal Officer, successfully coordinating cultural exchange programmes and student engagement activities that promoted national integration, cultural understanding, and meaningful interactions between the states of Kerala and Himachal Pradesh.
Through sustained engagement in Public Participation and Awareness Schemes (PPAS), interdisciplinary research, academic leadership, and community-based initiatives, Dr. Anbazhagi continues to contribute to environmental sustainability, water security, public health, sanitation, climate resilience, youth development, and the advancement of innovative, sustainable solutions for emerging environmental challenges. Her work reflects a strong commitment to integrating scientific research, education, policy, and community engagement for societal benefit.