Dr Naveen Elumalai is a Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering who joined UniSC in February 2026, bringing internationally recognised expertise in electrospun nanofiber technologies, clean energy, and advanced composites. His research turns agricultural waste and engineered polymers into high-performance materials; from nanofiber-toughened bio-composites and electromagnetic shielding membranes to piezoelectric sensors that detect damage in structures before it becomes critical. He also works on organic and perovskite solar cells, photocatalytic self-cleaning coatings, circular economy materials, and corrosion of additively manufactured alloys for defence applications.

Northern Territory Young Tall Poppy of the Year (2024) and recipient of the RADICLE 25 Award for Outstanding Contribution to NT Science and Innovation, Naveen is recognised among the top 2% of scientists globally by Stanford University for five consecutive years (2021–2025), with over 90 publications, approximately 6,000 citations, and an h-index of 40.

Before UniSC, he established the Northern Territory's first nanofiber fabrication facility at Charles Darwin University, and held academic positions at Curtin University Malaysia, UNSW Sydney, and the University of South Australia. He holds a PhD from the National University of Singapore.