R. G. Waruna Jinadasa
Medicinal & Material Chemist
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A highly motivated synthetic organic chemist, combining excellent academic credentials with 10+ years of research experience in medicinal, material and analytical chemistry
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Email:
Address:
136W 1260S, Logan, UT 84321
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Age:
34 years
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Hello! I'm Waruna
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I was born and raised in Colombo, Sri Lanka. I obtained my undergraduate degree from University of Colombo and graduated with an Honors Degree in Chemistry in 2006.
After serving for a few months as a teaching assistant at the Department of Chemistry, University of Colombo, I was accepted to Graduate School Doctoral Program at Louisiana State University in the Department of Chemistry with a full assistantship in fall 2008. I joined the laboratory of Prof. Kevin M Smith spring 2009 where I carried out my doctoral research work on Porphyrin Derivatives of Biomedical Relevance.
EXPERIENCE
2016-2017
Postdoctoral Research Associate
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS
Design and synthesis of covalent organic frame work and 2D polymers.
Development of new organic materials for electronic applications and solar energy conversion.
Mentor graduate students and design new projects
Participate in grant proposal, manuscript and presentation preparation.
Ensures maintenance of laboratory instruments and equipment.
2014-2016
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
MIAMI UNIVERSITY
The development of concise and versatile methodologies to access a large number of π-extended porphyrins.
Mentor graduate students
Participate in grant proposal, manuscripts and presentation preparation.
Maintain SOP and lab ergonomics to ensure safe work environment
Integrate protocols for general lab techniques and instrument use
Proactively contribute new ideas and assist with establishing collaborations
2008-2013
Graduate Research Assistant
LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
Design, synthesis and characterization of novel chorin based photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy.
Synthesis of a type III porphyrin for a synthetic cytochrome.
Mentoring undergraduate students.
Lab management and inventory control.
2006-2008
Teaching Assistant
UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO
Taught recitation classes for sophomore organic, inorganic, analytical chemistry.
Chemistry (Hons) Laboratory (Analytical, Organic, Physical)-organized and conducted laboratory sessions.
Chemistry (General) Laboratory (Analytical, Inorganic) - organized and conducted laboratory sessions.
Computational Chemistry MSc Laboratory - conducted laboratory sessions.
EDUCATION
2008-2013
Doctor of Philosophy
LOUISIANA SATE UNIVERSITY
Dissertation Chair: Prof. Kevin M Smith
Dissertation Title: Porphyrin Derivates for Biological Applications.
2006
Vocational Training
PAINTS AND GENERAL INDUSTRIES LTD
Development of instant high fiber health beverage.
2002-2006
Bachelor's Degree
UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO
Undergraduate Research Advisor: Dr. Rohan DeSilva
Thesis Title: Synthesis and spectroscopic studies of mono amine transporter inhibitor
AFFILIATIONS
AWARDS
Charles E. Coates Research Award
Coates Travel Award
LSU Graduate School Enhancement Award
2010 & 2011
2010
2008
SKILLS
2+ years of experience in design, synthesis and characterization of 2D polymers
9+ years of experience in NMR, MALDI, ESI, FTIR and XRD
10+ years of experience in UV-Vis and Fluorescence spectroscopy
Proficient with Microsoft Office, EndNote,
Prism, Origin, ChemDraw, Scifinder, ect..
10+ years of experience in methodology development and multi-step synthesis
3+ years of experience in dye-sensitized solar cell characterization
12+ years of experience in chromatography, HPLC, GPC, TLC,
Proficient in Gaussian, Avogadro and DFT calculations
PROJECTS
Design and synthesis of covalent organic framework (COF) and 2D polymers
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Judiciously choosing building blocks and using reversible condensation reactions to synthesize novel crystallize 2D COFs.
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Synthesis of novel linkers for COF and metal organic framework.
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Development of instrumental screens to characterize the novel materials.
Design, synthesis and characterization of novel chorin-based photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy
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Designed, synthesized, and characterized chorin e6 analogues for photo dynamic therapy.
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Designed novel synthetic routes to obtain all posible regio-isomers of NPe6 from spirulina pacifica alga.
Porphyrin based supra-molecules as molecular devices for solar energy conversion.
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The development of concise and versatile methodologies to access a large number of π-extended porphyrins.
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The design and development of new organic materials based on these functionalized π-extended porphyrins for electronic applications and solar energy conversion.
Synthesis and spectroscopic studies of mono amine transporter inhibitor
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Synthesized derivatives of N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium as Novel Bovine Chromaffin Vesicular Monoamine Transporter Inhibitors
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Investigated the interactions of N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium iodide with β cyclodextrine using fluorescence spectroscopy.