Dr. Kasthuri Bai earned her PhD in Medical and Health Sciences, with a specialization in molecular neuroscience, in 2020. Following this, she joined Monash University Malaysia in 2021 as a post-doctoral scientist. Due to her significant contributions and expertise, she was promoted to the position of lecturer in 2023. Her academic background and training span a variety of fields, including molecular neuroscience, gene expression, proteomics, and epigenetics. Throughout her career, she has published numerous research articles in prestigious international journals.

Currently, Dr. Kasthuri's research focuses on understanding the impact of climate change on disease mechanisms, particularly in the context of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer's disease. She is also engaged in therapeutic drug discovery, working on proof-of-concept studies aimed at identifying potential treatments for these conditions.

Kasthuri is a researcher in the field of neuroscience, particularly understanding the Parkinson's disease mechanism and identification of natural bioactive compounds that delay the neurodegenerative process. She has reported that natural palm phytonutrients, such as vitamin E  isoforms and palm mixed carotenes, exhibited significant neuroprotective effects on human dopaminergic-like neurons in in vitro experiments. Moreover, numerous fascinating molecular changes have been discovered following exposure of neurons to tocotrienols compounds, including biochemical, protein expression, gene expression and DNA methylation. She has employed bioinformatic tool such R bioconductor and databases (KEGG, STRING, METASCAPE, PANTHER) to analyse genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and proteomics data. These findings have been successfully published in high impact Q1 journals. Furthermore, she is also involved in a proof of concept randomised controlled trial on dry skin patients in collaboration with PPUKM and pharmaceutical company. 

Areas of Interests:

• Neurodegeneration
• Oxidative stress
• Molecular biology and Disease Mechanism
• Neuroimmunology
• Neuroprotection pathways

Internal Research Grant

JCSMHS Seed Grant 2025 - Untangling the heat paradox in Parkinson's disease - An in vivo Approach/RM 30,000 (Principal Investigator), Status: On-going

Industry Grant (PhytoGaia M Sdn Bhd) 2024 - Alterations in skin hydration, moisture and genomic in patient with dry skin conditions following daily oral palm tocotrienol and squalene (STGAIA) supplementation/ RM 88,000 (Principal Investigator) : Status: On-going

JCSMHS Seed Grant 2024 - Developing a Cellular model of Ethanol-Induced psychosis using differentiated SH-SY5Y human neural cells/RM30, 000 (Principal Investigator). Status : On-Going

JCSMHS Seed Grants 2023 - Neuroprotective effects of Beta-carotene on 6-OHDA-induced toxicity in differentiated SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells: A comparison study between natural and synthetic beta-carotenes/ RM30,000 (Principal Investigator). Status: Completed

MED 1100 - Advocates in Indigenous Health, Health Enhancement                                  Program (HEP)

MED 1200 - Problem-Based Learning (PBL), Physiology

MED 2100 - Health Promotion (HP), Advovates in Indigenous Health,                              Student Project Case (SPC)

MED 2200 - Inter-Professional Education (IPE), Physiology

NUT 1022 - Fundamentals in Biomedical Sciences

NUT 1023 - Nutritional Biochemistry and Nutrigenomics

MED 5101 - Applied Studies in Medical Research and Professional Practice/ Scholarly Intensive Placement

BRM 5011 - Foundations in Medical Biotechnology and its Applications

Dr. Kasthuri Bai is currently leading research that explores the impact of climate change on the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease, using animal models to better understand the underlying mechanisms. Her work aims to uncover how environmental changes may contribute to the development or progression of neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, Dr. Bai is actively seeking a qualified postgraduate student to join her research team and contribute to this critical study, offering an opportunity for an aspiring researcher to be part of groundbreaking work in the field of neuroscience and environmental health.