KUALA LUMPUR: The air above Malaysia now holds a new significance for one man, Jayaprakash Murulitharan, who stands as the first Malaysian to secure a Doctoral degree in Atmospheric Science from the venerable University of Cambridge. This crowning academic achievement is more than a personal victory; it is a beacon ignited by resilience, proving that ambition can cross any geographical or socio-economic barrier.
Dr Jayaprakash Muralitharan, who grew up in a modest estate community, has made history as the first Malaysian to earn a PhD in Atmospheric Science from the University of Cambridge.
Raised in Heawood Estate in Sungai Siput, Dr Jayaprakash described the idea of studying at Cambridge as “almost impossible” given his background. Despite the odds, he persevered, inspired and supported by his father’s constant encouragement.
Dr Jayaprakash’s academic path is impressive: he completed a chemical engineering undergraduate degree at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, then went on to earn a Chevening-funded master’s in Sustainable Development and Environmental Studies from the University of Strathclyde, before finally obtaining his Cambridge PhD in Chemical Atmospheric Science.
His doctoral research tackled a very real and urgent environmental issue for Malaysia: transboundary haze. Using atmospheric modelling, satellite imaging, statistical analysis, and large-scale data, he studied how biomass burning in Sumatra contributes to particles that drift into Malaysian airspace, particularly affecting Kuala Lumpur’s air quality.
Back in Malaysia, Dr Jayaprakash didn’t stop at theory, he designed a proof-of-concept AI-based tool to predict haze events. This system integrates data from multiple government agencies, machine-learning expertise from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and environmental data infrastructure managed by the Ministry of Environment.
His work has already won praise from atmospheric experts at UKM. Professor Mohd Talib Latif lauded Dr Jayaprakash for closing the gap between science and policy, especially in haze forecasting.
Dr Jayaprakash credits much of his success to his Cambridge supervisors, Professors Alex Archibald, Chiara Giorio, and Jennifer Schooling, who guided his research journey.
Now back in Malaysia, Dr Jayaprakash aims to channel his expertise in modelling, coding, and data analysis into environmental policymaking. He believes that science, combined with artificial intelligence, can significantly improve how the country responds to haze and protects public health.
