Rajee Olaganathan

Title
Adjunct Faculty, Department of Human Factors, Safety and Social Sciences
Email
Department
Dept of Human Factors, Safety and Social Sciences
College
College of Arts & Sciences

Areas of Expertise

​Aviation Safety, Aviation Bio-fuel Production, Fuel Management, Human Factors, Aviation Sustainability, Aviation Accident Analysis,  Aviation Business and Management, Environmental Science - Environmental Health and Safety, Food Production, Pollution, and Water Technology.

Dr. Rajee Olaganathan is an Aeronautical Scientist and Environmental Biotechnologist. She has been an adjunct faculty member at Embry-Riddle. With over 20 years of teaching and research experience, Dr. Olaganathan’s interdisciplinary expertise spans aeronautics, aviation safety, human factors and environmental sustainability.

Dr. Olaganathan holds a Ph.D. and three master’s degrees, with an MBA in Aviation Management currently in progress. Throughout her career, she has taught a diverse array of courses, including Aviation Safety, Leadership and Management in Aviation, Human Factors in Aviation, Research Methods and Environmental Science. Her teaching excellence has been recognized with awards such as the Best Lecturer Award at James Cook University.

As a prolific researcher, Dr. Olaganathan has published 35 peer-reviewed journal articles, 12 conference papers, and contributed a book chapter titled "Jet Fuel Production: Taking Flight with Microbial Innovation" for the book Microbial Biofuel: A Sustainable Source of Renewable Energy published by Taylor & Francis. Her research has garnered national and international recognition, including media coverage by Bloomberg News, Japan Times, Embry-Riddle News and the Flight Safety Foundation. The significance of her research papers has been highlighted in media outlets across the UK, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Recent work includes studies on the impact of COVID-19 on pilot proficiency and the airline industry, as well as safety analyses of ADS-B systems.

Dr. Olaganathan was an invited speaker to lead a Master Class at the "Sustainable Aviation Futures Asia Pacific Congress - 2024," held from November 4th to 6th in Singapore. This prestigious event was organized for more than 250 senior-level attendees involved in aviation fuels, SAF, sustainability, airline strategy and policymaking.

Dr. Olaganathan is deeply engaged with industry collaborations, working with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, Singapore Aviation Academy and ICAO to develop professional development courses in sustainable aviation, airport wildlife management, airport wildlife operations and aviation safety. As a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a peer reviewer for numerous journals, she brings leadership and academic rigor to her work. She has peer-reviewed more than 100 research papers for several international peer-reviewed journals.

With a commitment to fostering student success and advancing aviation science, Dr. Olaganathan combines a global perspective with a passion for innovation in aviation education and research.

  • Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Biotechnology: Microbiology, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University
  • M.S. - Master of Science in Aeronautics: Aviation Aerospace Safety Systems and Aviation Aerospace Management, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • M.S. - Master of Science in Environmental Biotechnology, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University
  • M.Phil. - Master of Philosophy in Coastal Aquaculture, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University
  • B.S. - Bachelor of Science in Zoology, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University
  • Certified ScrumMaster - Scrum Alliance

SFTY 320 – Human Factors in Avia Safety

ASCI 202 Introduction to Aeronautical Sciences

RSCH 202 Research Methods

Phys 142 Introduction to Environmental Sciences

Phys 102 Explorations in Physics

SAW 1000 Airport Wildlife Management

SAW 1001 Airport Wildlife Operations

Associate Editor:

  1. Journal of Applied Biotechnology and Bioengineering.
  2. Archives in Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology.

Editorial Board Member:

  1. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences.
  2. CPQ Microbiology Journal

She serves as peer review panel member for four international research journals.

She has also developed professional educational courses for ERAU (SAW 1000 – Airport Wildlife Management, and SAW 1001 Airport Wildlife Operations). 

Panel Reviewer for the research papers submitted to the 4th IWA-ASPIRE Conference & Exhibition, Tokyo, Japan  "Toward Sustainable Water Supply and Recycling Systems". Conference was Conducted by the International Water Association 2011.     ​

Fellow at Royal Aeronautical Society

Women in Aviation International 

Flight Safety Foundation

  1.  "Out Standing Scientist Award", 2019
  2.  "Best Scientist Award", 2019.
  3.  "Distinction Award" - M.S.A (Dual   Specialization – Safety and Management) 2019. 
  4. "Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges Award – 2017”.
  5. “Best Lecturer of the Year 2015” Award from James Cook University, Singapore.
  6. Received "Young Scientist Award" in 2003 at National level in India
  7. National level Gold Medalist in 2003.
  8. University Gold Medalist, M. Phil, 1997 (First Rank in University).
  9. M. Phil, 1997, Distinction (GPA: 4.0 on US scale).
  10. M. Sc., 1996, Distinction (GPA: 4.0 on US scale).
  11. B.Sc., 1994, Distinction (GPA: 3.77 on US scale).
  12. B.Sc., College topper and Fifth Rank in the University.