Prof. M. Pushpavathi completed her undergraduate [B.Sc (Speech & Hearing)], post graduate [M.Sc (Speech and Hearing)], and Ph.D (Speech and Hearing) degree from the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Manasagangothri, Mysore.
She has over 22 years of experience in teaching undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students. She is a Professor in Speech Language Pathology and the Director currently. Her special areas of interest include the disorders of speech specifically speech disorders related to orofacial anomalies and voice disorders. She has guided 75 masters and 8 doctoral students for their Dissertations and Thesis. She has been a member of Board of Studies and Board of Examiners of several Universities in India.
She has published 75 scientific papers in national and international journals. She had several extramural projects funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Bio-technology, IMPRINT and Indian Council of Medical Research. She has also completed 10 projects funded by the AIISH Research Fund. She is a life member of the Indian Speech and Hearing Association and Indian Society of Cleft Lip, Palate and Craniofacial Anomalies. She is the reviewer of several Journals. She has headed the Departments of Clinical Services, Speech Language Pathology, Tele-centre for Persons with Communication Disorders and Special Education at the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore. She had also served as Academic coordinator of the institute for two years, DHLS coordinator for Mumbai Centre, Estate Officer, Vice President- AIISH Gymkhana, and Chairperson of the unit for structural orofacial anomalies (USOFA).
She is a recipient of the prestigious Prof. Rais Ahmed Memorial Award instituted by the Acoustical Society of India.
Prof. M. Pushpavathi took over as the Director of the All India Institute of Speech & Hearing, Mysore on 17th October 2018, succeeding Dr. S.R. Savithri.