Blog

The Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences, is pleased to announce that Ms Saranya Selvaraj Lavan has been awarded the Gold Medal for Research Excellence at the 51^st Convocation of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.This prestigious recognition is presented to the candidate who demonstrates outstanding research quality, significant scholarly contribution, and exemplary academic merit within the stipulated duration of the MPhil program under the Board of Study in Physical Sciences of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Ms S. S. Lavan conducted her MPhil research titled “Evaluation of Naturally Derived Peptides for Selective Anticancer Therapy.” Her work was supervised by Dr Laksiri Weerasinghe (supervisor), with additional guidance from Prof. Nilwala Kottegoda, Prof. Inoka C. Perera, and Dr Tharindu Senapathi (co-supervisors). The study encompassed both in silico and in vitro investigations into the design and development of a novel peptide with the potential to modulate cancer activity via allosteric inhibition of Akt. The project also explored antimicrobial properties relevant to wound-healing applications, offering promising insights for precision medicine and therapeutic innovation.

Her research integrated core aspects of synthetic chemistry, computational modelling, and bacterial and mammalian cell culture studies. This multidisciplinary approach yielded a valuable understanding of the therapeutic promise of targeted inhibition for both cancer and wound healing properties. The project produced several notable academic outputs, including two peer-reviewed journal publications, multiple presentations at national and international conferences, and a co-authored book titled Peptides in Nanotechnology (CRC Press), further enriching the field of chemical biology.

The Department of Chemistry extends its heartfelt congratulations to Ms Saranya Selvaraj Lavan on this exceptional accomplishment and wishes her continued success in her future academic and research pursuits.

The Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences, is pleased to announce that Dr. Dinithi Kaluthanthiri has been awarded the Gold Medal for Research Excellence at the 51^st Convocation of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. This distinguished medal is awarded for research excellence achieving the highest number of international and national research publications, patents and research awards within the stipulated time at the board of study in Physical Sciences of the Faculty of Graduate studies.

Dr. Kaluthanthiri completed her doctoral research titled “Synthesis and Characterization of derivatized dipicolylamine and diethylenetriamine ligands and their metal complexes as potential therapeutic agents and diagnostic tools,” under the supervision of Prof. Theshini Perera, with Dr. Laksiri Weerasinghe serving as co-supervisor. Her study was focused on the design and synthesis of novel sulfonamide-functionalized ligands and their coordination with transition metals such as platinum, rhenium, zinc, and cadmium.

Her research represents an exceptional integration of synthetic organic and inorganic chemistry. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anticancer activity against lung cancer, while molecular docking studies provided deeper insights into ligand-protein interactions and strengthened their biological potential.

This outstanding achievement reflects Dr. Kaluthanthiri’s dedication, scientific rigor, and unwavering commitment to excellence throughout her postgraduate journey. The Department of Chemistry proudly congratulates Dr. Dinithi Kaluthanthiri on this remarkable accomplishment and wishes her continued success in her future academic and research pursuits.

The ChemXplorer Workshop – 2, organized by Section E2 of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) in collaboration with the Chemical Society of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ), was successfully held on 4th October 2025.

This workshop served as an excellent platform for students, educators, and young researchers to enhance their knowledge in chemistry through interactive sessions, hands-on activities, and expert-led discussions. The event highlighted the importance of fostering scientific curiosity and strengthening the link between school-level science education and advanced chemical research.

The Department and the Chemical Society extend their heartfelt appreciation to all participants for their enthusiasm and active engagement throughout the program. Special thanks go to the organizing committee of SLAAS, as well as the dedicated teaching assistants and postgraduate students of USJ, whose commitment and teamwork played a key role in making the workshop a resounding success.

The ChemXplorer initiative continues to inspire young minds and advance the chemical sciences in Sri Lanka. We look forward to seeing this collaborative effort grow further in the years ahead.