Curriculum Vitae

Summary

Motivated, interdisciplinary PhD graduate trained in physics and biology, with strong communication skills developed from teaching experiences and ability to work independently or as a team member. Special expertise in the areas of

  • 3D Mathematical Modeling and Simulation
  • Numerical Methods (Finite Difference Method)
  • Biological Physics (Hodgkin-Huxley Model, Mechanical Bidomain Model)
  • Computational Mechanobiology (Soft Tissue Mechanics)
  • Critical Literature Review
  • Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills

Education

PhD in Biomedical Sciences: Medical Physics

Oakland University, Rochester, MI                  

Coursework: Bioelectric Phenomena, Modeling Complex Systems, Medical Physiology, Quantum Mechanics, Theoretical Physics                                                                                   

BSc (Special) Degree in Physics

University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

Coursework: Physics (Mechanics, Particle Physics, Solid State Physics), Mathematics, Statistics

Research and Work Experience

Graduate Research Assistant | Department of Physics, Oakland University        

  • Implemented two-dimensional (2D) mechanical bidomain model to analyze effects of anisotropy in cardiac mechanotransduction.
  • Applied perturbation methods to identify the changes in bidomain (cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix) displacement under active tension and unequal anisotropy ratios.
  • Designed and developed a three-dimensional (3D) version of the mechanical bidomain model to analyze cardiac tissue indentation and resulting spatial distribution of mechanotransduction. Analysis involve mathematical modeling and numerical analysis using finite difference method.
  • Presented results at department Journal Club, Oakland University Graduate Student Research Conference, Fall 2019 Meeting of the Ohio-Region Section of the American Physical Society (OSAPS) and annual meetings of International Physics of Living Systems (iPoLS) hosted by Georgia State University.

Research Assistant, Arthur C Clarke Institute, Sri Lanka                                  

  • Generated absorption spectra of star HD26574 (Beid), in the wavelength region of 4200 Å to 5000 Å using a 45 cm Cassegrain telescope.
  • Applied astronomical data reduction methods using Image Reduction and Analysis Facility (IRAF) operated in Linux.
  • Generated synthetic absorption spectra using Kurucz model atmospheres.

Intern, Sri Lanka Standards Institution, Sri Lanka                                                            

  • Collaborated with Mass, Force and Temperature calibration laboratories.
  • Hands-on experience on calibrating using proving cell testing machine, universal testing machine, fixed point cells (Gallium, Mercury, Silver), Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometers (SPRT), liquid/metal block baths.

Leadership and Teaching Experience

Graduate Teaching Assistant | Department of Physics, Oakland University             

  • Led weekly laboratory, problem solving and discussion sessions for groups of students (class of 25-30 students).
  • Graded quizzes, weekly lab reports and provided feedbacks to students.
  • Prepared presentations for lab experiments.

Assistant Lecturer (Temporary) | Department of Physics, University of Sri Jayewardenepura         

  • Collaborated with department of sports science to conduct a biomechanics lecture series by including applications of physics in sports.
  • Delivered lectures on thermodynamics with weekly tutorials to students in freshman year.
  • Planned and facilitated multiple events including three-day workshop on “Physics and Electronics for Advanced Level Teachers” and a physics quiz competition for freshmen year students.

Technical Skills

  • Finite Difference Method
  • MATLAB
  • Mathematica
  • Minitab
  • Maple
  • Image Reduction Analysis Facility (IRAF)
  • Microsoft Office