Ms. Subashini Balakrishnan

Lecturer (Unconfirmed)

M.Phil (UOM), BIS(Hons) (OUSL), CText FTI (UK), CTHE (USJ)

Textile and Apparel Technology
Faculty of Engineering Technology
Website RG GS
Contact:

CRC, Colombo Regional Centre, 2nd Intermediate floor, Department of Textile and Apparel Technology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda.

Office: 011-2881307, Ext: 4808 Mobile:

E-mail: bsuba@ou.ac.lk

Web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/subashini-balakrishnan-8962345a/

Subashini holds the position of Lecturer in the Textile and Apparel Technology Department within the Faculty of Engineering Technology at The Open University of Sri Lanka. With a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) degree in Textile and Clothing Technology from the University of Moratuwa, she is a highly accomplished professional in textile and apparel technology. Before her master’s, she completed a Bachelor of Industrial Studies Honors in Apparel Production Management from the Open University of Sri Lanka, specializing in apparel production management. Being a Fellowship (CText FTI) holder of the Textile Institute – UK, Subashini’s professional background revolves around textile and apparel, with previous roles including Assistant Technologist at the Sri Lanka Institute of Textile and Apparel, as well as an Intern at Omega Line (Pvt) Ltd. She has been actively engaged in lecturing since 2013, demonstrating her dedication to both education and the advancement of textile knowledge. Beyond academia, Subashini has made significant contributions to the field through her published works in esteemed international journals. Her research involves fiber science, fabric treatment, and sustainable textiles, enriching the collective understanding of these subjects. She is actively engaged in collaborative projects with government organizations, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders and is committed to collaborating her expertise through consultancy services and training programs. Her main goal is to foster a positive learning environment and contribute to the advancement of textile and apparel technology.

Last Updated on 3 months

Areas of Specialization:

Fiber Science, Yarn and Weaving Technology, Apparel merchandising, Textile Processing, Coloration, and finishing, Natural dyes, Textile Composites, Apparel Technology, Ergonomics, Work Study for textile and Clothing Industry

Research interests:

Fibre Based Technology, Textile Composites,  Smart yarn for Health and well-being , 3D Printing, Colour psychology, Laundry technology, Textile education

Affiliations:
  • CText FTI , Member of the Textile Institute, United Kingdom.
  • Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD)– Trieste, Italy
  • Life Member of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) – Sri Lanka
  • An associate member of the Sri Lanka Academy of Young Scientists (SLAYS) – Sri Lanka
  • Young Scientists Forum (YSF) Full Membership -2022 – Sri Lanka
  • National Science Foundation, Science & Technology Management Information System, Member, Sri Lanka

Contributions:
  • Appreciation for serving as a Resource Person for the Certificate Course in Fiber-Based Technology at the Industrial Development Board (IDB), Sri Lanka (2024).
  • Recognition for contributions to the preparation of the Textile Technology component of the Home Economics curriculum (Grades 12-13) as a member of the curriculum development committee and writer (English) at the National Institute of Education.
  • Acknowledgment for contributions to the preparation of the Textile Design component of the Grade 10 vocational module curriculum (implemented in 2024) as a curriculum development committee member, writer (English), and translator for the Tamil medium at the National Institute of Education.
  • Recognition for contributions to the Fashion Designing curriculum under the Guaranteed 13 Years of Education project as a member of the curriculum development committee, writer (English), and translator for the Tamil medium at the National Institute of Education.

Course Coordination:

TAI3332 Garment accessories

TAX4540 Garment manufacture

TAX6556 Ergonomics

Awards:
  • Appreciation certification for significant contribution in Conference Paper Publications, 2023 (Title: Banana fiber extraction and treatment for textile production: A sustainable approach (Treasure From Trash: New Trend For Textile)
  • Appreciation award for, by producing Banana fabric, “Going Green”, using agro-based raw material waste, December 2019 (Ministry of Industries and supply chain management).

Ongoing Research:

Fibre based composites

Plant-based leather

Eco friendly dyes

Publications:
International Journals (Science Citation Index Expanded)
  • Balakrishnan, S., Wickramasinghe, G. L. D., Wijayapala, U.G.S (2019). Investigation on improving banana fiber fineness for textile application. Textile Research Journal 89(21–22), 4398–4409. https://doi.org/10.1177/0040517519835758
  • Balakrishnan, S., Wickramasinghe, G. L. D., Wijayapala, U.G.S (2019), Study on dyeing behavior of banana fiber with reactive dyes, Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics, 14 (22). https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1558925019884478
  • Balakrishnan, S., Wickramasinghe, G.L.D., Wijayapala, U.G. S. (2020). A novel approach for banana (Musa) Pseudo-stem fibre grading Method: Extracted fibres from Sri Lankan Banana Cultivars. Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/1558925020971766
  • Balakrishnan, S., Wickramasinghe, G. L. D., Wijayapala, U. G. S. (2020). Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Mechanically Extracted Banana (MUSA) Fibers from Top Ten Sri Lankan Cultivars. Journal of Natural Fibers, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2020.1848732
  • Balakrishnan, S., Wickramasinghe, G. L. D., Wijayapala, U.G.S. (2021). Investigation on mechanical and chemical properties of mechanically extracted banana fibre in pseudostem layers  : From Sri Lankan banana (Musa) cultivation waste.  Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabric, 16(1–10). https://doi.org/10.1177/15589250211059832
  • Balakrishnan, S., Wickramasinghe, G. L. D., Wijayapala., U. G. S. (2021). Eco-Friendly softening for banana Fibers from Sri Lankan banana cultivar: Influence on physical and chemical Properties on banana Fibers. Journal of Natural Fibers, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2021.1982811
  • Balakrishnan, S. (2024). Silk fabric dyeing with Basella alba (Sri Lankan green spinach fruit) natural dyes: Mordant-free dyeing approaches. Industrial Crops and Products, 222, 119337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2024.119337
International Conferences
  • Balakrishnan, S., Wickramasinghe, G. L. D., Wijayapala, U.G.S, Influence of enzyme and chemical pretreatment processes on the colours of banana fibres, IEEE Symposium on 5th International Multidisciplinary Engineering Research Conference, Date Added to IEEE Xplore: 29 August 2019. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8818786
Local Conferences
  • Balakrishnan,S., Perera, M.E.R, , The effect of detergents on colour deterioration of white school uniform shirting materials used in Sri Lanka The Open University of Sri Lanka, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Research session, 2016, A503, https://ours.ou.ac.lk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/A503-E.pdf
  • Balakrishnan,S., Perera, M.E.R, A Study on the Influence of washing and hot pressing on the colour fastness of white School uniform material. The Open University of Sri Lanka, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Research sessions –2015, Student Academic conference -2015 abstract No .TT206
  • Balakrishnan, S., Extraction of natural dyes from Basella alba (Sri Lankan green spinach) for Silk fabric: Mordant-free dyeing techniques towards Resource Efficiency, 1st Research symposium on Textile and Apparel Industry, Sri Lanka Institute of Textile and Apparel, 2023
  • Balakrishnan, S., Wickramasinghe, G. L. D., Wijayapala, U.G.S, Banana Fiber Extraction and Treatment for Textile Production: A Sustainable Approach, Cosmetic Textile and apparel, footwear, Leather and related wearable fashion accessories, pharmaceuticals, wellness products, nutraceuticals and related services and support system-based industry related research presentation and networking forum, Ministry of Industries, 2023

Book Chapter
  • Textiles of Sri Lanka, Eco-Friendly Dyeing Techniques for Banana Fibers from Banana application in the Sri Lankan context. Promoting Sustainable Coloration Methods. (2024), Springer Nature Singapore, DOI: 10.1007/978-981-97-0569-

Reviewer of the following International Journals:

Taylor & Francis               –              Journal of Natural Fibers

ASTM International         –              Journal of Testing and Evaluation

SAGE Publications           –              Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics

Springer Publications      –              Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery and Springer Nature

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