Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department

College of Chemical Sciences

Institute of Chemistry Ceylon

Dr. Dinusha Udukala is a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Chemistry at the College of Chemical Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Ceylon. She graduated with a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Colombo and earned her PhD from Kansas State University. She specializes in the isolation and characterization of bioactive compounds from natural products, the development of biopesticides for sustainable agriculture, and the synthesis of quinazolinone derivatives as urease inhibitors.

With over ten years of experience as an academic at the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, Dr. Udukala has held several key positions, including Secretary of the Women Chemists Committee (2019–present), Secretary for Educational Affairs (2021/22), Assistant Treasurer (2016–2018), and a member of the Editorial & Publicity Committee (2020/21). She also serves as the President of SLAAS Section E2, showcasing her commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration in the field of chemistry.

As the newly appointed President of the Sri Lanka Academy of Young Scientists (SLAYS), Dr. Udukala brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and dedication to promoting scientific research and empowering the next generation of scientists in Sri Lanka.

Senior Lecturer

Department of Nuclear Science

University of Colombo

Dr. Muditha Bandara is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Nuclear Science, University of Colombo, with an expertise in Biomedical Imaging Physics.
He earned his PhD in Biomedical Imaging Physics from the University of Colombo and subsequently pursued postdoctoral research at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA. His primary research focus lies in the field of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ultrasound (US) Imaging, where he is dedicated to developing MRI & US based imaging biomarkers for advanced medical diagnostics. His work contributes significantly to the refinement of imaging techniques, enhancing the accuracy and effectiveness of disease detection and monitoring.
Dr. Bandara is an active member of multiple local and international academic societies, continuously engaging in collaborative research and knowledge dissemination. As the President-Elect of the society, he aims to bring innovative vision, strategic growth, and enhanced scientific engagement to foster interdisciplinary research and academic excellence.

Senior Lecturer

Department of Biosystems Technology

Faculty of Technology

University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Dr. Chathuri Senanayake is a Senior Lecturer attached to Department of Biosystems Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

Her research interests focus on investigating the efficacy of various methods for extracting plant-based natural polyphenolic compounds and their antioxidant properties. She also explores the application of these plant-based antioxidants to improve the shelf life of food systems. In addition, Dr. Senanayake is researching the potential of various biopolymers to create edible films and coatings, examining their effects on shelf life and sensory properties during storage.

Dr. Senanayake has made significant contributions to her field, holding two local patents and publishing several journal articles, book chapters, and conference abstracts based on her research findings. She has also been recognized with multiple awards for her contributions to the field.

Research Assistant

Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences

Faculty of Science

University of Colombo

Praneeth Ratnayake graduated in Immunology and Integrative Molecular biology in 2017 from the Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo.  Currently he is reading for his MPhil degree and engaged in the field of stem cells. He is currently working on developing naturally derived compositions to enhance skin regeneration and melanogenesis

Senior Lecturer

&

Head of the Department

Department of Chemistry

CINEC Campus

Dr. Nimshi Fernando holds the positions of Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Chemistry at the Faculty of Science, CINEC Campus. Additionally, she serves as the Deputy Head of the Center for Quality Assurance, and she oversees the Research Office and career guidance unit.

With a profound dedication to scientific research, Dr. Fernando’s primary interests lie in the fields of Materials Science, Nanotechnology, and Surface Chemistry.  Her extensive research findings have been published in numerous reputable journals and presented at various symposiums, including those organized by the European Materials Research Society and the American Chemical Society.

Recognizing her significant contributions to postgraduate research in Sri Lanka, Dr. Fernando has received several awards, notably from the American Chemical Society and The Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science.

Senior Lecturer

Department of Biosystems Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

Dr. Danushika Manatunga is a Senior Lecturer attached to Department of Biosystems Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. She is a Nanomaterialist who works more towards drug delivery and water purification applications. She has graduated from University of Colombo with a first class honours in Chemical Biology. Later she pursued her PhD in Nanomedicine in UOC. In her career she has also served as Research Scientist in Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology. Her post doctoral research work include trandermal drug delivery using smart fabrics. To date she has published her work in more than 16 peer review journal articles while holding a US patent. She also works as a visiting research fellow for UOC and UCL, UK.

Senior Lecturer

Department of Radiography & Radiotherapy

Faculty of Allied Health Sciences

General Sir Gohn Kotelawala Defence University

Dr. Sachila Niroshani is an accomplished academic and researcher with a PhD in Contrast-Enhanced Spectral Mammography from the Graduate School of Human Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Radiography from the University of Peradeniya and a Master of Science in Medical Physics from the University of Colombo. Her research interests focus on radiation dosimetry in mammography, breast imaging, and radiation protection. Dr. Niroshani is actively involved in teaching, research supervision, and administrative duties. She is also currently serving as the clinical coordinator for the Radiography degree program. Her research has been published in numerous reputable journals and presented at leading conferences. Dr. Niroshani is also a member of the Japanese Society of Radiological Technologists.

Lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Eng. Umaya Balagalla is a Lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USj). She has published several research publications in reputed journals and Conferences in the recent past. She served in Committees of several international conferences including IEEE. Further, she won the IEEE Sri Lanka Section 3MT competition winner title for her postgraduate research. Under her guidance several student groups have placed in competitions including IESL Undergraduate of the Year, SLESA and MECHA. Further, in the last two years, student groups have won the best undergraduate projects in the Department under her supervision.

She demonstrated extensive experience in volunteering and leadership. She served in IEEE committes in chapter, section and regional levels. She is the current Secretary and Chair in IEEE Sri Lanka Section and IEEE EMBS Sri Lanka Section Chapter respectively. Umaya is the founding advisor of the IEEE EMBS Student Branch Chapter at USJ and the immediate past staff advisor of the E-squared Club of the Faculty. Her contributions also extend to SLAYS (Sri Lankan Academy of Young Scientists) as a Council Member.

Recognized for her dedication, she was awarded the Outstanding Women in Engineering Volunteer Award (2023) and was a finalist for the IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year 2023.
Her leadership extends to strategic initiatives like Suhuruliya 2.0 National Digital Strategy for Women’s Development.

Senior Lecturer,

Department of Biosystems Technology,
Faculty of Technology,
University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Dr. Pasan Bandara is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Biosystems Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. With a background in Chemical & Process Engineering and Environmental Engineering, he is keen on searching for sustainable solutions for the burning problems in food manufacturing industries as well as in the general society. In a country rich in underutilized natural resources, he is working on developing value-added products from these raw materials to match the needs of consumers and industry and create more opportunities for potential entrepreneurs.

He believes that the involvement of science and other branches of knowledge in research and development activities need to be much interdisciplinary to achieve efficient and sustainable solutions.

Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science

University of Colombo

Dr. Tharindra Weerakoon (PhD, 2021) serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, at the University of Colombo. She completed her Bachelor’s degree, specializing in Biochemistry, at the University of Kelaniya in 2017 before pursuing a PhD in Chemistry. Her expertise spans diverse areas, including antioxidant research, cell culture, cloning, natural product extraction, chromatographic techniques, and DNA and RNA analysis.

Dr. Weerakoon has made significant contributions to scientific research, notably through her collaboration with the Research and Consultation Center for Coconut Oil. Her outstanding research achievements have been recognized with two Senate Awards in 2019 and 2021 for publications in internationally indexed journals. With a robust academic portfolio, she has authored over 20 scientific articles, contributed to multiple book chapters, and holds a patent.

Chartered Engineer | Biomedical Scientist | Innovator | Entrepreneurial Coach

Dr. Angelo Karunaratne is a Chartered Engineer recognized by Engineers Australia and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (UK). With a career spanning biomedical engineering, health-tech innovation, and entrepreneurial mentorship, he has secured over $6M in research funding, authored 40+ journal articles, and holds 3 patents. Dr. Karunaratne specializes in translating complex research into impactful solutions, leading groundbreaking projects like the AI-driven BCan Bra for breast cancer detection, Spryng muscle recovery device, and advanced biomaterials for bone regeneration.

As a strategist at MAS Holdings, he managed health-tech verticals, global partnerships, and product commercialization, driving multimillion-dollar R&D initiatives. He co-founded Wavetec, revolutionizing compression technologies for health and wellness. In academia, Dr. Karunaratne has inspired students at institutions including Imperial College London and the University of Moratuwa, with a focus on innovation and biomedical engineering.

Recognized with the Health 2.0 Outstanding Leadership Award (2022) and as one of Sri Lanka’s Ten Outstanding Young Persons (2017), Dr. Karunaratne is also a sought-after speaker and coach, delivering keynotes and workshops on creative thinking, leadership, and health-tech innovation. A former competitive javelin thrower, he continues to mentor athletes and advocates for discipline and resilience in all aspects of life.

Senior Lecturer, Institute of Technology

University of Moratuwa, Diyagama, Homagama

Dr. Ruchira is an accomplished materials researcher and senior lecturer at the Institute of Technology, University of Moratuwa. With extensive experience in nanotechnology and advanced materials, he has made notable contributions in academia, government, and the private sector. Dr. Ruchira holds visiting positions at various universities and has a significant track record of commercialized innovations, granted patents, and scholarly publications.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Dr. Ruchira actively participates in committees and forums across different sectors, influencing policies and initiatives. His impact is evident through prestigious national-level awards, recognizing his outstanding achievements.

Dedicated to knowledge dissemination, Dr. Ruchira seeks to bridge the gap between academia, industry, and society. His goal is to foster progress, intellectual curiosity, and innovation in a broader public context.

Lecturer in Medical Imaging

 Department of Nuclear Science, University of Colombo

Dr. Duminda Satharasinghe is a Lecturer in Medical Imaging at the Department of Nuclear Science, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. He earned his PhD in Medical Physics in 2023, with a research focus on optimizing ionizing radiation usage in pediatric radiology. He also holds a BSc (Hons) in Radiography, graduating with first-class honors.

As an accomplished researcher, Dr. Satharasinghe has authored over 20 publications and presented at more than 15 conferences, contributing significantly to the fields of medical imaging and radiation safety. His professional expertise includes advanced imaging techniques such as CT, MRI, and 3D CBCT. He is a registered diagnostic radiology technologist with both the Sri Lanka Medical Council and the Health and Care Professions Council, United Kingdom.

Dr. Satharasinghe is an active contributor to the scientific community. He serves as a council member of Society of Radiological Technologists of Sri Lanka (SRTSL). Additionally, he is an editorial member for the South Asian Medical Physics and Cancer Research (SCMPCR) Newsletter.

Dr. Satharasinghe’s dedication to research, education, and professional service continues to advance the fields of medical imaging physics and radiological science

Senior Lecturer

University of Colombo

Dr. Maheshi Mapalagamage is a senior lecturer at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, specializing in immunology. She holds a PhD in Immunology (2014–2019) from the Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo, and a B.Sc. (Hons) in Zoology (2008–2012) with First Class Honors. She was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology, USA (2019–2020). Her research focuses on host-pathogen interactions, immune mechanisms, and diagnostic development. She has received the Presidential Award for Scientific Publications and is currently working on developing therapeutic targets for severe dengue infection.