Sanjeewa K. Rodrigo grew up in Kandy, Sri Lanka, a city located in the central part of the country. He attended University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka from 2003 to 2007, where he started doing research as an undergraduate. In his final year of the B. Sc. Special degree in chemistry, he became interested in organic chemistry, natural product chemistry. He completed his thesis research with Prof. B. M. R. Bandara on Bioactivity of Acronychia penduculata and Adenanthera pavonina and isolation of Antimicrobial compounds from Acronychia penduculata. In 2008, he earned a full scholarship from the University of Cincinnati to pursue his doctoral study on Nickel-catalyzed regioselective reductive coupling reactions under the tutelage of Professor Hairong Guan. After receiving his Ph.D. degree in 20014, he joined the research group of Professor Peter Spielmann at University of Kentucky-Lexington as a postdoc. While working on his second postdoc at the University of Cincinnati he secured a position at the Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC) as a senior scientist. After a 3-year tenure at SLINTEC he joined The Open University Sri Lanka in 2020 as a senior lecturer in chemistry. His research interests are broad, covering organic chemistry, natural product chemistry, nanotechnology and catalysis.
Organic Synthesis
Natural Product Chemistry
Organometallic Chemistry
Reaction Kinetics
Nanotechnology
- 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)
Ongoing Research
- Electrospun nanofibers for controlled release of Camphor
- Bioactivity of Annona muricata (Soursop) seed oil and leaf powder
- Sustained release anti-dandruff natural compounds via nano-/microparticle formulation as a possible cosmeceutical product
- Co-encapsulation of piperine and curcumin using electrospray technology
- 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
Invited articles
“Electrohydrodynamics in fabricating drug delivery systems”, Chemistry in Sri Lanka, 2020, 37, 2, 34
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)
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
- Bioactivity of Extracts of Annona muricata (Soursop) – N. I. Shanilka Dilshan (2020/2021)
- Sustained release anti-dandruff natural compounds via nano-/microparticle formulation as a possible cosmeceutical product (Faculty grant/Charuni Hearth_2022/2023)
- Co-encapsulation of piperine and curcumin using electrospray technology_Rusiru Lakshan (2021/2022)
Life member of SLAAS
- 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.
