Dr Karunanithy s/o Ramasamy graduated with B.Pharm (Chalmers Medalist) and Honours (First Class) in the then University of Singapore in 1962 and 1963, repectively; he had earlier obtained his B.Sc. (Chemistry) (First Class Honours) at the University of Madras in 1957.  He obtained his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Food Science & Technology in the University of Leeds (UK) in 1970 and 1973 respectively.

Dr Karu, as he is affectionately called in the Depaartment of Pharmacy, started off his career as a chemist in M/S Lever Brothers (M) Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia) in 1957.  He then took on the job as a Quality Control Chemist at the Malayan Pineapple Industry Board (Malaysia) till 1960, before he started his B.Pharm programme.  Upon graduation, he started his long-spanning career with the Department of Pharmacy (NUS) as an Assistant Lecturer.  Throughout the 35 years of his career in NUS, he rose through the ranks of being a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor and finally a Senior Fellow, before he retired in 1998.  Though he has retired, he is still sharing his knowledge with the students as a part-time academic in the department till now.  In addition to his academic contribution, he is also a Chartered Chemist and Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (UK), a Fellow of the Institute of Food Science & Technology (UK), a Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Food Science & Technology, and a Registered Pharmacist & Life Member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore.

Dr Karu also actively participates in various public and community services.  His past contributions include being the NUS Representative in the Food Advisory Committee (Ministry of the Environment), Member of the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB), Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCDYS), and Member of the Hindu Advisory Board (HAB).  He had also provided services to Singapore Anti-Narcotic Association (SANA) over a span of 14 years as a Registered Voluntary Aftercare Officer, Religious & Social Counsellor (Drug Rehabilitation Centres), Chairman/Vice Chairman/Member of the Hindu Aftercare Counselling Service, and also acted in the SANA Panel of Speakers.  He was also the Leader of the Singapore Delegation for the First Meeting of the Asean Interim Project Management Committee on Protein: Food Habits Research & Development (Asean Committee on Science & Technology) held in Bangkok in 1989.

In addition to his past impressive contributions, his current commitments to public services are also notable.  He has been serving, for over 20 years, as Member of Board of Visitors (Drug Rehabilitation Centres -- Anti-Inhalant Abuse) (Ministry of Home Affairs), Deputy Registrar & Solemnizer of Marriages, and President of the Sri Ruthra Kaliamman Temple (Singapore).  His other current commitments also include being an Executive Committee Member of Cambridge Neighbourhood Committee (Moulmein CC), a Management Committee Member of Ashram (HEB’s Halfway House for Drug Addicts), an Accredited Voluntary Mediator for the Consumer Association of Singapore (CASE), Vice Chairman of Inter-religious Confidence Circles (IRCC) (Telok Blangah CC), and an Asst Liaison Officer of Neighbourhood Watch Zone (Singapore Police Force).

In view of his vast contributions to academia and to community services, Dr Karu has received several awards from both the University and the State.  He was awarded the National Award: Public Service Medal, PBM in 2004, the Long Service Award for contributions to Board of Visitors (DRCs) in 1996 and 2000, the Meritorious Long Service Award by National University of Singapore in 1996, and SANA's Certificate of Honours in 1985 and Medal of Honours in 1992.