Dr. Malini Natarajarathinam is an Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution at Texas A&M University
Dr. Malini Natarajarathinam, Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution, has dedicated her career to developing engineering identity in students through applied research and community engagement. With a background in industrial engineering, applied statistics, management science, operations management, and supply chain management, Dr. Natarajarathinam’s research interests include assessing skills and training needed for technicians in Industry 4.0 warehouses, engaging high school students in rural areas in production engineering-based career and technical education, and exploring the impact of service-learning activities on college students’ sense of belonging, civic identity, and character development.
As the founder and director of the “Hunger Free Texas” program, Dr. Natarajarathinam has worked with multidisciplinary student groups from engineering and sociology to provide solutions that enhance the impact of emergency food assistance providers in Texas communities. She founded the Texas A&M – FIRST Robotics Competition and has helped organize expos in the Bryan College Station area since 2014.
Dr. Natarajarathinam is an active member of several national engineering education-focused groups, including the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) and the Institute for Engineering and Innovation (IEEI). She has served as secretary for the Women in Engineering Division of ASEE, as Program Chair, Vice-Chair, and currently as Chair for the Community Engagement Division. She has also helped organize ASEE’s annual service event since 2016, collaborating with universities in host conference cities.
In recognition of her achievements, Dr. Natarajarathinam was featured as one of the “40 under 40 engineering and engineering technology educators” in 2018 by ASEE Prism magazine. She currently serves as vice-chair of the Engineering Education Faculty Group at Texas A&M University. Through her research and community involvement, Dr. Natarajarathinam has made significant contributions to engineering education and inspired students to pursue careers in STEM fields.