I am a Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellow and, completed the MAT program at Eastern Michigan University in 2015. My native country is Sri Lanka. My hometown in Sri Lanka is Kalutara, which is located in west cost about 20 miles south of Colombo. I received my secondary education at Ananda College , a national school located in Colombo, and then the bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Then I earned the Master of Chemistry from EMU and a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Wayne State University.
My last job before starting the WW fellowship program was at the University of Michigan where I worked as a research investigator in the Division of Rheumatology. I was involved in research projects to explore molecular basis of autoimmune diseases such as lupus. I also supervised students in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP). Prior to joining U of M, I worked as a research fellow at the Roche Pharmaceuticals in Indianapolis.
I live in Ann Arbor with my wife and two children. I like playing cricket and badminton.
My last job before starting the WW fellowship program was at the University of Michigan where I worked as a research investigator in the Division of Rheumatology. I was involved in research projects to explore molecular basis of autoimmune diseases such as lupus. I also supervised students in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP). Prior to joining U of M, I worked as a research fellow at the Roche Pharmaceuticals in Indianapolis.
I live in Ann Arbor with my wife and two children. I like playing cricket and badminton.
Metro Detroit Youth Activity Day 2017 July My family 2023 MSU Commencement
(MSU Activities- Chemistry).
(MSU Activities- Chemistry).
My Motivation
I was motivated to learn chemistry when I was in elementary school. Perhaps influenced by my interest in nature. Chemistry is the basis of life. Chemical building blocks are involved in all forms of functions to maintain life of living organisms. I pursued my interests in biology and chemistry. Atoms, molecules and compounds are the basic components of non-living things too. Therefore, learning chemistry helps us understand the physical universe that we live in. I have been driven by curiosity to involve in many research projects in chemistry. In one of the research projects, I isolated chemicals from medicinal plants to characterize their properties. I have also investigated large biological chemicals called enzymes which catalyze chemical reactions in our body. Atoms are the fundamental units of these molecules.
My most exciting research projects were to identify chemical modification of genetic material (DNA) which can cause human diseases. My desire to share knowledge and experience in scientific career drew me into teaching. I would like to share my experience to raise student interest in chemistry and health sciences.
I was motivated to learn chemistry when I was in elementary school. Perhaps influenced by my interest in nature. Chemistry is the basis of life. Chemical building blocks are involved in all forms of functions to maintain life of living organisms. I pursued my interests in biology and chemistry. Atoms, molecules and compounds are the basic components of non-living things too. Therefore, learning chemistry helps us understand the physical universe that we live in. I have been driven by curiosity to involve in many research projects in chemistry. In one of the research projects, I isolated chemicals from medicinal plants to characterize their properties. I have also investigated large biological chemicals called enzymes which catalyze chemical reactions in our body. Atoms are the fundamental units of these molecules.
My most exciting research projects were to identify chemical modification of genetic material (DNA) which can cause human diseases. My desire to share knowledge and experience in scientific career drew me into teaching. I would like to share my experience to raise student interest in chemistry and health sciences.