Dr. Sanjeewa K. Rodrigo

Senior Lecturer


Department of Chemistry
Faculty of Natural Sciences
GS
Senior Lecturer
Contact:

Colombo Regional Center, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala

Office: , Ext:

E-mail: srodr@ou.ac.lk

Academic record –

  • PhD in Chemistry – University of Cincinnati, USA (2014)
  • B.Sc Special Degree in Chemistry – University of Peradeniya (2007)

Professional record –

  • Senior Lecturer, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka (2020 to present)
  • Senior Research Scientist, Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC), Pitipana, Homagama (2018 – 2020)
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Dept. of Biomedical, Chemical, and Environmental Engineering, University of Cincinnati (2016-2017)
  • Scientist, Pegasus Technical Services Inc., Cincinnati, OH, USA (2015-2016)
  • Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY(2014-2015)
  • PhD Intern, Beauty Technology Division, Procter and Gamble Company, Cincinnati, OH, USA (05/2013-08/2013)
  • Research Assistant, Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA (09/2008-04/2014)
  • Lecturer, Department of Physical Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (12/2007-04/2008)
  • Teaching Assistant, Department of Physical Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (09/2007-11/2007)
  • Industrial Intern, Lankem Paints Limited, Sri Lanka (2006)

Last Updated on 3 years

Areas of Specialization:
  • Organic Synthesis
  • Natural Product Chemistry
  • Organometallic Chemistry
  • Reaction Kinetics
  • Nanotechnology

 

Research interests:
  • Organic synthesis
  • Natural product chemistry
  • Nanotechnology

 

Course Coordination:

CYU5301-Concepts in Spectroscopy

 

Awards:
  • Graduate Student Governance Association (GSGA), University of Cincinnati, Research fellowship, 2014
  • Procter and Gamble (P&G) award for “Most applicable work for industry” for “Efficient and Regioselective [2 + 2 + 2] cyclotrimerization of ynoates and related alkynes catalyzed by nickel”, November 15th, 2013-Runner-up
  • One of the 60 participants of CENTC (NSF Center for Enabling New Technologies Through Catalysis) summer school, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, June 22nd – 26th 2013.
  • 30th Brown Lectures, Purdue University, USA, poster competition winner, 2013.
  • University research council (university of Cincinnati) summer fellowship proposal ranked 12 out of 200 applications, April 2013.
  • Henry Hochstetter award for excellence in teaching, university of Cincinnati, 2012.
Researches:

 

 

Ongoing Research:
  • Electrospun nanofibers for controlled release of Camphor
  • Bioactivity of Annona muricata (Soursop) seed oil and leaf powder
Publications:

Invited articles

 

  • “Electrohydrodynamics in fabricating drug delivery systems”, Chemistry in Sri Lanka, 2020, 37, 2, 34

 

Articles in International Peer Reviewed Journals 

 

  • Karunarathna, S. C ……Rodrigo, S. K. …. et al 56 of the world’s deadliest mushrooms, under review (Fungal Diversity, 2021)
  • Perera, K. D. C.; Weragoda, G. K.; Haputhanthri, R.; Rodrigo, S. K. “Study of concentration dependent curcumin interaction with serum biomolecules using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy combined with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Square Regression (PLS-R)”, Vibrational spectroscopy, 2021, 116, 103288
  • Ekanayake, U. G. M.; Dissanayake, D. M. S. N.; Rathuwadu, N.; Kumarasinghe, R. K. K. G. R. G.; Rodrigo, S. K.; Mantilaka, M.M. M. G. P. G, “Facile fabrication of fluoropolymer self-assembled ZnO nanoparticles mediated, durable and robust omniphobic surfaces on polyester fabrics”, Journal of Fluorine Chemistry, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfluchem.2020.109565
  • Rodrigo, S. K.; Guan, H. “Mechanistic Study of Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive Coupling of Ynoates and Aldehydes” Org. Chem. 2017, 82, 5230-5235
  • Rodrigo, S.K.; Powell, V. I.; Coleman, G. M.; Krause, J. A.; Guan, H. “Efficient and Regioselective Nickel-Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cyclotrimerization of Ynoates and Related Alkynes.” Biomol. Chem. 2013, 11, 7653-7657
  • Rodrigo, S.K.; Guan, H. “Quick Installation of a 1,4-Difunctionality via Regioselective Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive Coupling of Ynoates and Aldehydes” Org. Chem. 2012, 77, 8303-8309
  • Koralegedara, N.H.; Al-Abed, S.R.; Rodrigo, S. K.; Karna, R.R.; Scheckel K.G.; Dionysiou, D.D.; “Alterations of Pb Speciation by sulfate from addition of flue gas desulfurization gypsum in two Contaminated Soils”, Sci Total. Environ. 2016, DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.10.027
  • Yang, W.M.; Rodrigo, S.K.; Zimmer, T “Synthesis of Environmental Simulants or Tracers Using Novel Aerosol Based Techniques”, manuscript in preparation

Abstract Publications in Local Conferences

 

Rodrigo, S. K.; Jayasingha, U. L. B.; Bandara B. M. R. “Antifungal, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of Acronychia pedunculata and Adenanthera pavonina. Peradeniya Univ. Res. Sessions, 2007, 12, 94-95

 

Abstract Publications in International Conferences

Ekanayake, U.G. Mihiri; Palihawadana, T; Mantilaka, M.M.M.G.P.G; Rodrigo, S. K;  Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov, Facile fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces with silica aerogel embedded polyurethane using electrospraying process, ICONN 2020, Brisbane, Australia, 2020 (Oral)

Liyanaarachchi, S. U;  Rodrigo, S. K; Kottegoda, N; Karunaratne, V. “Black seed oil incorporated polycaprolactone microspheres as an effective oil encapsulation approach”,  World Summit on Advanced Materials and Engineering New materials and new technologies, Singapore, 2019 (Oral)

Rodrigo, S.K; Yang, W; Conmy, R; Sorial, G; Zimmer, A. “Electrospray Aerosol Synthesis of Crude Oil Si,ulant/tracer to mimic the Behavior of Oil Droplets in Water” 254th ACS National Meeting, Washington DC, 2017 (Poster)

Rodrigo, S.K; Powell, I; Guan, H. “Efficient and regioselective [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization of ynoates and related alkynes catalyzed by nickel” 247th ACS National Meeting, Dallas, TX, 2014 (Poster)

Rodrigo, S.K.; Guan, H. “Quick Installation of a 1,4-Difunctionality via Regioselective Nickel- Catalyzed Reductive Coupling of Ynoates and Aldehydes.” Graduate Poster Forum, University of Cincinnati, 2013 (Poster)

Rodrigo, S.K; Powell, I; Guan, H. “Nickel-Catalyzed Regioselective cyclotrimerization of Alkynes to Synthesize Substituted Aromatic Compounds.” Oesper Symposium, ACS Local Meeting, Cincinnati, OH, 2012. (Poster)

Rodrigo, S.K.; Krause, J. A.; Guan, H. “Ni-Catalyzed Multi component coupling: A new approach to synthesize 1,4-Difunctionalized Compounds.” 243rd ACS National Meeting, San Diego, CA, 2012 (Oral)

Rodrigo, S.K.; Guan, H. “Ni-Catalyzed Direct Synthesis of 1,4-Difunctionalized Compounds.” Graduate Poster Forum, University of Cincinnati, 2012 (Poster)

Rodrigo, S.K; Krause, J. A.; Guan, H. “Nickel-Catalyzed Multicomponent Coupling: A New Approach to Synthesize 1,4-Difunctionalized Compounds.” Ohio Inorganic Weekend, Cincinnati, OH, 2011 (Poster)

Rodrigo, S.K; Krause, J. A.; Guan, H. “Nickel-Catalyzed Multicomponent Coupling: A New Approach to Synthesize 1,4-Difunctionalized Compounds.” Oesper Symposium, ACS Local Meeting, Cincinnati, OH, 2011 (Poster)

Rodrigo, S.K; Krause, J. A.; Guan, H. “Ni-Catalyzed Direct synthesis of 1,4-Difunctionalized Compounds.” Oesper Symposium, ACS Local Meeting, Cincinnati, OH, 2010 (Poster)

Rodrigo, S.K.; Krause, J. A.; Guan, H. “Ni-Catalyzed Direct Synthesis of 1,4-Difunctionalized Compounds.” 240th ACS National Meeting, Boston, MA, 2010 (Oral)

Rodrigo, S.K.; Guan, H. “Ni-Catalyzed Direct Synthesis of 1,4-Difunctionalized Compounds.” 41st ACS Central Regional Meeting, Dayton, OH, 2010 (Oral)

Rodrigo, S.K.; Guan, H. “Ni-Catalyzed Direct Synthesis of 1,4-Difunctionalized Compounds.” Graduate Poster Forum, University of Cincinnati, 2009 (Poster)

Rodrigo, S.K.; Jayasinghe, U. L. B.; Bandara, B. M. R. “Antifungal, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic activity of Acronychia pedunculata and Adenanthera pavonina.” Peradeniya University Research Session (PURS) 2007 (Oral)

 

 

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