Wasana N. Marasinghe received her Bachelor of Biosystems Technology (BBST) Honours Degree in Food Processing Technology from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in 2021. She is now pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Industrial Technology at the same university. Her research topics mainly include novel food processing technologies, bioplastics, and biopackaging in food applications, post-harvest technology, and food packaging.
Rohan S. Dassanayake, a Biophysical Chemist, received his Bachelor
of Science (BSc) degree in Chemistry (2008) from the University of Peradeniya,
Sri Lanka, and his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry (2014) from Kent State University,
USA. In 2015, he joined the research group of Professor Noureddine Abidi at
Texas Tech University, USA, as a Postdoctoral Research Associate. In 2018, he
accepted a Chemistry Assistant Professor position at Ithaca College, USA. He
returned to Sri Lanka and joined the Department of Biosystems Technology in the
Faculty of Technology at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in 2019, where he
is currently working as a Senior Lecturer. His current research
focuses on developing sustainable, environmentally benign, economically
feasible, and renewable biomaterial-based composite materials for the sequestering
of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, and the remediation of industrial dye
wastewater. His research interests also include bioplastics and biopackaging in food
applications.
Rumesh Liyanage obtained a BSc special degree in Food Science and
Technology in 2014 and completed his Ph.D. studies at the University of Sri
Jayewardenepura (USJ) in the same field in 2018. He is currently serving as a
Senior Lecturer (grade II) in the Department of Biosystems Technology, Faculty
of Technology, USJ. He is passionate about exploring emerging food processing
technologies and engaging in multidisciplinary research. His research keywords
include Food Quality Assurance, Food Sensory Analysis, Extrusion Technology,
New Food Product Designing, and Emerging Technologies.
Pasan C. Bandara is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Biosystems
Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. He
received his BSc in Chemical and Process Engineering from the University of
Peradeniya in 2013 and his Ph.D. in Microbiology, Water Purification from the University
of Houston in 2018. His current research interests include Food processing
technology, Process optimization, Nanomaterials, Water treatment, Environmental
studies, and Technology education.
Suranga M. Rajapaksha is a Senior Lecturer Grade II at the Department of
Materials and Mechanical Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Sri
Jayewardenepura. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University
of Sri Jayewardenepura in 2008 and earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Mississippi
State University in 2017. His research keywords include Composite; Characterization
and analysis of materials; Biopolymer-based thin films for food packaging; Dry
rubber technology; and Synthetic and natural polymers.
