Malini's teaching activities surround classes in purchasing, distribution networks, and strategic relationships. She has been involved in numerous research and consulting engagements in the area of inventory management, supplier relationships, and improving profitability at several large and mid-sized distributors. Her research interests include coordinated decision-making in stochastic supply chains, handling supply chains during times of crisis, and optimizing global supply chains. Her research focuses on engineering education, including service learning and workforce skills development. She has received research funding from several companies, governmental agencies, and the National Science Foundation.She was the keynote speaker at the Feeding Texas Conference. She worked with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) in developing innovative Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses in logistics and distribution for high-school students. She has chaired graduate and undergraduate capstone projects. Dr. Natarajarathinam was chosen as one of the “40 under 40” faculty by the American Society of Engineering Education's Prism Magazine in 2018.