Rate My Professor Priya Samudrala

Dr. Priya Samudrala is a Senior Lecturer and Deputy Director of Education in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering at Monash University, where she commenced her position in July 2024. A chemist with a background in biotechnology and microbiology, she earned her PhD in Applied Chemistry from RMIT University in 2016, focusing on heterogeneous catalysis for the transformation of bio-glycerol into commodity chemicals and fine chemicals; her contributions were recognized with the Martin Bennett Research Excellence Award. She holds an MSc in Organic Chemistry from Osmania University in 2008, awarded the Gold Medal for academic excellence, a Master of Teaching from Monash University with high distinction, and a BSc in Biotechnology, Microbiology, and Chemistry from Osmania University. Following her PhD, she served as a Research Assistant at the Centre for Advanced Materials and Industrial Chemistry (CAMIC) at RMIT University, developing three-dimensional printed catalyst formulations for sustainable chemical production from renewable sources. In 2017, she joined Monash University as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Chemical Engineering, advancing to Assistant Lecturer in 2018, where she contributed to catalysis projects and taught courses in chemical and environmental engineering. She possesses full accreditation from the Victorian Institute of Teaching.

Dr. Samudrala's research specializes in the design and development of innovative heterogeneous catalysts, including hierarchically structured materials, nanozymes, and bio-inspired systems, to convert waste and renewable feedstocks into value-added chemicals and clean fuels. Her expertise encompasses catalyst synthesis, reaction engineering, process optimization, kinetic studies, and structure-activity relationships, with applications in biomass valorization, bio-based fuel production, CO2 utilization, and sustainable chemical manufacturing. She leads a research group at Monash integrating tailored catalytic interfaces with 3D-printed designs for cleaner pathways to sustainable fuels and chemicals, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals including affordable and clean energy, industry innovation, responsible consumption, and climate action. Key publications include 'Nanozymes for clean energy catalysis: unlocking potential, progress and perspectives' (Nanoscale, 2026), 'Catalytic transformation of eucalyptus oil and its primary component, 1,8-cineole into value-added products: a state-of-the-art review' (Green Chemistry Letters and Reviews, 2025), 'Deciphering the role of Cu⁰ and Cu^σ+ in engendering the hydrogen production from glycerol reforming over Cu/CeO₂' (Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2025), and 'CO₂ valorisation to methane on highly stable iron impregnated ceria-zirconia based 3D-printed catalyst' (Journal of CO₂ Utilization, 2023). With 39 research outputs spanning 2014 to 2026, her work advances green chemistry and sustainability in catalysis.