Engineering High School

GIHAN S. AMARASIRIWARDENAEMAIL: *****@***.*******: 37 Hedgerow Lane, Amherst, MA 01002

EDUCATION:Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Class of 2011.

Major in Course 10-B (Chemical-Biological Engineering)Minor in Course 14 (Economics)

Amherst Regional High School, Diploma June 8, 2007

EXPERIENCE:Undergraduate Researcher, Prather Group, MIT Department of Chemical EngineeringJanuary 2008-Present: Developed a metabolic pathway for n-butanol and 2-3 pentanediol production in E.coli for the use as an alternative fuel. Research required extensive gene isolation and cloning. Conducted self-directed research on the efficacy of n-alcohol adsorption by ion-exchange resins, and derived empirical formulas for predicting adsorption based on the octanol-water partitioning coefficient of solutes.

Lab Technician, Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering:Internship (Summers 2006 and 2007): Served as a lab technician for research on the efficacy of UV- Germicidal Irradiation in commercial building HVAC systems (2006). Developed methods of instrument calibration for detection of trace levels of vaporized hydrogen peroxide disinfectant, and methods of determining efficacy of vaporized hydrogen peroxide as a disinfectant for aircraft decontamination (2007). Acquired experience in tissue culture, virus assaying and UV and infrared spectrometry.

Co-Founder, Developer, Ascendure Mountain TechnologiesJanuary 2004 Present: Co-founded Ascendure Mountain Technologies, an outdoor apparel and equipment company, focused on developing and manufacturing ultralight technical apparel. Have developed several proprietary performance fabric laminates (waterproof/breathable, soft shell and moisture-wicking), as well as a revolutionary retro-reflective thermal insulation used in custom-made garments and sleeping bags. See : www.ascendure.net for details.

COMPUTER EXPERIENCE:Applications and Languages: Excel; Adobe: Flash, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Indesign; MatLab, HTML.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:MIT Varsity Cross Country, MIT Varsity Track & Field (Distance), Undergraduate Researcher MIT Emergency Medical Services (EMT-B), Phi Kappa Theta.

AWARDS, RECOGNITIONS AND LEADERSHIP:

2007 Junior Engineering and Technical Society, Member of Varsity A Team, Placed 1st in State, 14th Nationwide

2004 Eagle Scout, with Bronze Palm, Boy Scouts of America

2004 Co-President of the Graduating ARHS Class of 2007 (2004 - Present)

2003 1st Place, Junior Science Fair, Western Mass District. 2nd Place, State-wide Junior Science Fair: Project entitled: The effects of organic acids on the growth of the bacterium Bacillus Subtilis: An Alternative to Antibiotics.

REFERENCES:

Stephen Rudnick, S.D. Lecturer on Industrial Hygiene Engineering, Harvard School of Public Health

Phone: 617-***-**** e-Mail: ********@****.*******.***

David Nielsen, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow, The Prather Group, MIT Department of Chemical Engineering

e-Mail: ********@***.***

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