Dr. Muniaraj Mayilsamy: Scientist E at ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre, India
Title/Designation: Dr.
Name: Muniaraj Mayilsamy
Current Role/Designation: Scientist E
Organization/Institution Details: ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre
Country: India
Subject Track: Public Health
Award Category: Best Researcher Award
Dr. Muniyaraj Mayilsamy is a distinguished Scientist “E” at the ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre (VCRC), Field Station, Madurai, and serves as an Associate Professor with the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR). With over 30 years of experience in academia and public health research, he has made significant contributions in the fields of microbiology, medical entomology, and vector-borne disease surveillance and control. His work bridges classical microbiology with modern biotechnological approaches to vector control, focusing on microbial diversity, insect-microbe interactions, and novel bio-control strategies. He has been instrumental in conceptualizing and executing innovative projects involving gnotobiotic mosquitoes, mosquito attractants, and microbial larvicides, and has trained numerous students and professionals in vector biology and disease control. His research impact extends both nationally and internationally through his publications, patents, and speaking engagements.
Online Profiles
Education
Dr. Muniyaraj holds a Ph.D. in Zoology from Madurai Kamaraj University, where his research explored the role of Philodina roseola in mosquito breeding ecology. His academic journey includes an M.Sc. in Microbiology from the same university, where he secured the first rank and a gold medal for his outstanding performance. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Rights and Patent Laws from Annamalai University, and a diploma in Computer Applications, reflecting his multidisciplinary skill set. His foundational education in Zoology during his undergraduate years provided him with a strong grounding in biological sciences, sericulture, and applied microbiology, forming the basis for his career in vector biology and microbial research.
Research Focus
Dr. Muniyaraj’s research focuses on the microbial ecology of disease vectors, the symbiotic and antagonistic relationships between insects and microbes, and the development of novel, eco-friendly vector control tools. His work spans across the discovery of mosquito attractants from human skin bacteria, application of nanotechnology for microbial larvicide delivery, and innovations such as devices for producing germ-free and gnotobiotic mosquitoes. He is particularly interested in how microbial communities influence mosquito biology and pathogen transmission, and how these interactions can be harnessed to develop sustainable and cost-effective strategies for the control of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and Japanese encephalitis.
Experience
Over the past three decades, Dr. Muniyaraj has served in progressively responsible roles across multiple ICMR institutes, including CRME and VCRC, beginning as a Research Officer and ascending to Scientist “E”. He has also served as Officer-in-Charge for several field stations and played a pivotal role in both research and administrative management. Prior to joining ICMR, he held academic positions as Lecturer and Head of the Department of Microbiology in leading Tamil Nadu colleges. His career reflects a rare combination of field expertise, academic leadership, laboratory innovation, and administrative proficiency. He has contributed significantly to national vector surveillance programs, outbreak investigations, and translational research in disease control, while also mentoring postgraduates and Ph.D. scholars.
Research Timeline & Activities
Dr. Muniyaraj has successfully led and participated in numerous research projects funded by ICMR, DST, and DRDO from 2009 onwards. His recent projects include studies on bacterial metabolites as mosquito attractants, nanofibre-based larvicide delivery, and investigations on viral persistence in aquatic microfauna. His pioneering invention of devices for generating germ-free mosquitoes received international patents in India, Singapore, and Indonesia. He has been a key figure in dengue, JE, and Zika surveillance studies, and served as a team leader in COVID-19 diagnostic efforts in Pondicherry. His academic service includes teaching postgraduate courses, delivering lectures in refresher programs, serving on university boards, and acting as a doctoral committee member across universities. He is also a frequent invited speaker and resource person in national and international seminars.
Awards & Honors
Dr. Muniyaraj has been widely recognized for his academic excellence and scientific contributions. He received the University First Rank and Gold Medal for his M.Sc. Microbiology, and was awarded the Best Citizen of India Award and Bharat Jyoti Award in 2013. His work has earned international recognition, including selection as one of the “Top 100 Scientists of 2009” and the “International Einstein Award for Scientific Achievement” from the International Biographical Centre, Cambridge. He has been included in Marquis Who’s Who in Asia and the World, reflecting his prominence in global scientific circles. He has also received multiple best poster awards at prestigious symposia and has been an editorial board member and reviewer for numerous international journals.
Top Noted Publication
Among his 45+ peer-reviewed publications, a particularly notable work is the 2025 article in Nature Scientific Reports, titled “Nanofiber encapsulation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa for the sustained release of mosquito larvicides.” This high-impact paper (IF 3.8) highlights his interdisciplinary approach combining microbiology, entomology, and nanotechnology to develop environmentally safe and effective larvicidal strategies. The study demonstrated how microbial bioagents can be engineered for prolonged field efficacy, offering a potential breakthrough in vector control efforts. This work is widely cited and has received attention from both academic and public health communities for its innovative application in disease prevention.
-
Nanofiber encapsulation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa for the sustained release of mosquito larvicides
Scientific Reports, 2025
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-025-97400-W
Contributors: Muniaraj M, Asifa V, Rajamannar V, Ganakumar G, Paramasivan R -
ZIKA Virus, an Emerging Arbovirus in India: A Glimpse of Global Genetic Lineages
Microorganisms, 2025
DOI: 10.3390/MICROORGANISMS13030544
Contributors: Paramasivan R, Bhavna Gupta, Muniaraj M -
Genome resequencing and genome-wide polymorphisms in mosquito vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus from south India
Scientific Reports, 2024
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-024-71484-2
Contributors: Preeti Acharya, Upasana S. Singh, Rajamannar V, Muniaraj M, Binata Nayak, Aparup Das -
Rising case-fatality rate of kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis) in India: An unexpected challenge to the kala-azar elimination program?
Tropical Parasitology, 2024
DOI: 10.4103/TP.TP_57_23
Contributors: Muniaraj M, Rajamannar V, Paramasivan R -
Mosquito repellent activities of citrus fruit peels
International Journal of Mosquito Research, 2023
DOI: 10.22271/23487941.2023.V10.I5B.702
Contributors: Jeevarathinam Antony, Asifa V, Arthi M, Rajamannar V, Muniaraj M
Strengths for the Best Researcher Award
-
Extensive and Diverse Research Experience:
Dr. Muniaraj Mayilsamy brings over 30 years of progressive experience in public health research, specializing in microbiology, medical entomology, and vector-borne disease control. His long-standing commitment and leadership in both laboratory and field research have produced impactful outcomes in the study and management of disease vectors. -
Innovative and Interdisciplinary Approaches:
His pioneering work integrates classical microbiology with cutting-edge biotechnology and nanotechnology, particularly in the development of novel vector control tools such as microbial larvicides and germ-free mosquito models. This interdisciplinary approach has resulted in international patents and high-impact publications, reflecting innovation that advances the field. -
National and International Recognition:
Dr. Muniaraj’s contributions have been recognized globally, earning him prestigious awards such as the “International Einstein Award for Scientific Achievement” and inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. His research has influenced vector control strategies not only in India but also in broader scientific and public health communities worldwide. -
Strong Academic and Mentorship Record:
Beyond research, he has actively contributed to academia as an Associate Professor, training numerous students and professionals in vector biology and public health. His mentorship has helped cultivate the next generation of researchers and practitioners in vector control and epidemiology. -
Consistent Research Output and Impact:
With over 45 peer-reviewed publications, including influential recent works on mosquito larvicides and viral vector genetics, Dr. Muniaraj has demonstrated sustained productivity and research excellence. His studies have practical implications for controlling diseases like malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, showcasing both scientific rigor and public health relevance.