We are delighted to announce that Ms. Piumika Yapa, a talented postgraduate researcher under the guidance of her PhD advisor, Dr. Imalka Munaweera, has been recognized for her exceptional contributions at the International Conference on Innovation and Emerging Technologies (IC-IET) 2024.
Ms. Yapa’s groundbreaking research on “Multimetallic Silica/Polymer Nanohybrid for Self-Sterilizing Synergistic Antifungal Applications” earned her two prestigious accolades:
Best Oral Presentation – Postgraduate in the Track: Materials Engineering and Process Technology.
Outstanding Oral Presentation – 1st Place, a distinguished honor awarded for the best overall oral presentation at the conference.
These awards highlight her dedication, innovation, and the significant impact of her work on advanced materials and their applications.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Piumika Yapa and Dr. Imalka Munaweera for this outstanding achievement. Their success is a testament to the excellence of our research community and a source of inspiration for aspiring scientists.
We are delighted to congratulate Dr. Imalka Munaweera, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, on her recognition as one of Asia’s top 100 scientists by 2024 Asian Scientist Magazine (https://www.asianscientist.com/as100/#2024).
This prestigious honor is a testament to Dr. Munaweera’s groundbreaking research and significant contributions to nanotechnology.
Dr. Munaweera’s research focuses on developing nanoparticles and nanofiber composites for various applications, including drug delivery in pharmaceuticals, water filtration, and slow-release fertilizer systems in agriculture. Her achievements reflect her exceptional talent and the Department of Chemistry’s commitment to fostering a vibrant research environment. Her recognition in Asian Scientist 100 inspires our faculty and students to strive for excellence in scientific exploration.
The Department of Chemistry extends its heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Munaweera on this well-deserved recognition. We are confident that her future endeavors will continue to bring significant advancements to the field of nanotechnology.
It is with great pride we announce that Mr. Lashan Edirisinghe, a postgraduate (MPhil) student at the Department of Chemistry, the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, has earned two notable accolades. Lashan secured the Second Runner-Up position at the prestigious Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition after two extremely competitive rounds where 80+ postgraduate researchers of leading universities and institutions competed. This was organized by the Sri Lankan Academy of Young Scientists and was held on 10th October 2024 at the Trace City – Colombo. His presentation on “Sigma Receptor Targeting Molecules to BeatCancer” impressed judges for its clarity, impact, and the skill with which he distilled and concentrated his intricate research into just three minutes, showcasing his ability to engage both specialists and a broader audience. The 3MT competition presented an entirely different challenge, communicating the essence of his research in just three minutes. This format required to extract years of research into a concise and compelling narrative, highlighting the broader societal impact of the research work. Achieving Second Runner-Up was an invaluable recognition of Lashan’s ability to communicate research succinctly while maintaining clarity and engagement.
He received the “Best Presenter Award” at the International Conference of Applied and Pure Sciences (ICAPS-2024) organized by the University of Kelaniya, held on the 11th October, 2024 at the Faculty of Science – University of Kelaniya, where he presented his research on “Naphthalene appended diethylenetriamine based ligands and their platinum complexes as cancer theranostic agents”. This recognition highlights his exceptional ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively to an international audience.
Lashan extends his heartfelt gratitude to Professor Theshini Perera; his research supervisor, for her utmost guidance and invaluable advice in achieving glorious achievements like these. Lashan’s achievements reflect the high standards of research excellence fostered within the Department of Chemistry.
We congratulate Lashan on his remarkable achievements and eagerly anticipate his continued contributions to the scientific community. His success is a source of pride for the Department of Chemistry and an inspiring example of excellence in research and communication.
