Rajee Olaganathan

Title
Associate Professor of Safety Science
Email
Department
Safety Science Department
College
College of Aviation

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 accomplished Aeronautical Scientist and Environmental Biotechnologist, serving as an adjunct faculty member at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University since 2014. With more than two decades of teaching and research experience, her interdisciplinary expertise spans aeronautics, aviation safety, human factors, and environmental sustainability.

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

A prolific researcher, Dr. Olaganathan has authored 35 peer-reviewed journal articles, 14 conference papers, and contributed a book chapter titled Jet Fuel Production: Taking Flight with Microbial Innovation in Microbial Biofuel: A Sustainable Source of Renewable Energy (Taylor & Francis). Her research has received both national and international recognition, with coverage by Bloomberg News, Japan Times, China Daily, Daily Mail UK, Embry-Riddle News, The Straits Times, Times of India, and the Flight Safety Foundation. The significance of her work has been highlighted across media platforms in the UK, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Recent studies include analyses of the impact of COVID-19 on pilot proficiency and the airline industry, as well as safety evaluations of ADS-B systems.

Dr. Olaganathan has been invited to share her expertise globally, including leading a Master Class at the Sustainable Aviation Futures Asia Pacific Congress (2024, Singapore) and participating as a panel speaker at the Sustainable Aviation Futures LATAM Congress (2025, São Paulo, Brazil) - a premier event attended by more than 250 senior leaders in aviation fuels, SAF, sustainability, airline strategy, and policymaking.

Her engagement with the aviation industry extends to collaborations with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, the Singapore Aviation Academy, and ICAO, where she contributes to the development of professional courses in sustainable aviation, airport wildlife management, and aviation safety. She serves on multiple editorial boards and has reviewed more than 110 research papers for leading international journals, bringing academic rigor and professional leadership to her field.

She is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. With a steadfast commitment to student success and the advancement of aviation science, Dr. Olaganathan combines a global perspective with a passion for innovation, driving excellence in aviation education, research, and sustainability.

  • 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

MSHF - Human Physiology and Adaptation

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


Editor

  1. CPQ Microbiology Journal from 2018

Associate Editor

  1. Archives in Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology from 2018.
  2. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences from 2018.

Editorial Review Board

  1. Global Journal of Business Pedagogy from April 2020.

Assistant Editor

  1. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies from 2018.

Peer Review Panel Member

  1. Panel Reviewer of the International Journal of Aerospace Sciences from 2020.
  2. Panel Reviewer of Management Journal from 2020.
  3. Panel Reviewer of the Journal of Microbiology from 2020.
  4. Panel Reviewer of the Global Journal of Business Pedagogy from 2018 to 2020.


Peer Reviewed the Manuscripts for the following journals:

Reviewed 107 research papers for different peer-reviewed journals.

  1. Air Traffic and Transportation
  2. The International Journal of Aerospace
  3. Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering
  4. Chemosphere
  5. Sustainability
  6. Resources and Environment
  7. Journal of Microbiology Research
  8. International Journal of Genetic Engineering
  9. Future Transportation
  10. Sustainability
  11. Applied Sciences     
  12. Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering
  13. American Journal of Environmental Engineering
  14. World Environment
  15. International Journal of Virology and Molecular Biology

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.     ​

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

Invited Speaker

To contribute to two sessions at the “Sustainable Aviation Futures Latin America Congress” scheduled from March 31st to April 2nd in Sau Paulo, Brazil. Focused on Defining Latin America’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel & Feedstock Landscape.

To lead a Master Class at the "Sustainable Aviation Futures Asia Pacific Congress" from November 4th-6th in Singapore. Focused on Establishing APAC’s SAF and Aviation Decarbonization Roadmap.

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.