Laboratory Manager/Biochemical Researcher

GAYAN I. NAWARATNA

**** ********* **., *** ** College Station, Texas 77840 979-***-**** ************@*****.***

EDUCATION

(May 2013) Ph.D. Biological Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.

Dissertation Topic: Amphiphilic Phase-transforming Catalysts for Transesterification of Triglycerides.

(May 2009) M.S. Biological Engineering, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS.

Dissertation Topic: Effects of Electrically Charged Oxygenated Hydrocarbon/Water spray on Steam Reforming.

(March 2005) B.Sc. Chemical & Process Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.

EXPERIENCE

Research:

Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.

Laboratory Manager/Research Associate, March 2014- present

Research area: Animal nutrition: Amino acids and its functions.

Developed protein separation methods to analyze different amino acids.

Developed HPLC methods for different amino acid analysis.

Established and maintained primary cell lines from different animal tissues.

Managed and maintained all Safety requirements for a BL-2 and radiolabeled chemical handling laboratory.

Maintained laboratory daily inventory of chemicals and equipments.

Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.

Research Associate, June 2013- March 2014

Research area: Stability of immiscible three phase systems in heterogeneous catalysis.

Analyzed catalytic three phase systems for modern nano-catalytic reactions.

Designed a computational model for reaction involves in three phase catalysis.

Prepared proposal grants for different funding agencies.

Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.

Research Assistant, August 2008 – May 2013

Project: Amphiphilic Phase-transforming Catalysts for Transesterification of Triglycerides.

Designed, developed, characterized and tested a novel catalytic process to produce biodiesel via transesterification. This novel catalytic process consists of a unique phase-transforming catalyst that can be added to the medium in liquid phase and removed as a solid. The catalyst was also able to perform the transesterification reaction at room temperature (as opposed to usual high temperatures) emulating synthetic enzymes.

Statistical design of experiments (software: SAS, Minitab and Design Expert).

Organized and maintained the laboratory chemical inventory (software-based).

Prepared technical reports, research papers and peer reviewed technical publications.

Presented key results in national and international professional meetings.

Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS.

Research Assistant, August 2006 – May 2008

Project: Effects of Electrically Charged Oxygenated Hydrocarbon/Water spray on Steam Reforming.

Designed, developed, characterized and tested a novel catalyst and a catalytic process to produce hydrogen via steam reforming.

Finite Element Modeling and simulation of the catalytic reactor using COMSOL Multiphysics.

Designed an enzymatic hydrogen production reaction via photosystem II using hydrogenase enzyme.

Built a continuous steam reforming reactor incorporating electro-splitting technology.

Obtained 40 % increase in hydrogen yield using this novel technique.

University of Moratuwa, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.

Research Assistant, June 2005 – July 2006

Surveyed availability of wastes with high energy value throughout Sri Lanka for waste-to-energy (WTE) concept for Holcim Inc., Sri-Lanka.

Evaluated the applicability of cleaner production technology to a fruit juice production facility (SMAK, Sri Lanka) sponsored by Central Environmental Authority, Sri Lanka.

Reduced 15% solid waste by applying cleaner production concepts in a fruit juice manufacturing plant (SMAK, Sri Lanka).

Conducted Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), for 100 tsunami sites for redevelopment with Central Environmental Authority Sri Lanka.

Teaching:

University of Moratuwa, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

Teaching Assistant, March 2005 – March 2006

Conducted laboratory sessions (Chemistry for Engineers, Transport Phenomena, Particulate Systems, Unit Operations) for 650 undergraduate students at Department of Chemical and Process Engineering.

Handled and maintained chemical materials in the Chemical Processing Laboratory in compliance with local safety standards.

JOURNAL REVIEWS/EDITORIAL BOARD

Energy and Fuels- American Chemical Society Journal, September, 2013- present

Modern Chemistry- Science Publishing Group, September, 2013- present

SKILLS

Analytical Instruments: GC/GCMS, HPLC, DLS particle/Zeta analyzer, UV/VIS Spectroscopy,

FTIR, TGA, BET surface analyzer, Scintillation counter

Statistical software: SAS, StatEase (Design Expert), MiniTab

Softwear Applications: MS Office Suite, Mathcad, MathLab, AutoCAD, COMSOL, LabView

KEY COURSES

Renewable Energy Conversions, Transport Phenomena, Advance Chemical Thermodynamics, Chromatographic Methods, Advanced Nano Structured Materials, Nano-bio Engineering, Analytical Chemistry I. Biochemistry I&II

WORK AUTHORIZATION

Permanent Resident Authorized to Work.

PROFESSIONA PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles:

1.Hou, Y.; Hu, S.; Jia, S.; Nawaratna, G.; Che, D.; Wang, F.; Bazer, F. W.; Wu, G., Whole-body synthesis of l-homoarginine in pigs and rats supplemented with l-arginine. Amino Acids 2016, 48 (4), 993-1001.

2.Hou, Y.; Jia, S.; Nawaratna, G.; Hu, S.; Dahanayaka, S.; Bazer, F.; Wu, G., Analysis of l-homoarginine in biological samples by HPLC involving precolumn derivatization with o-phthalaldehyde and N-acetyl-l-cysteine. Amino Acids 2015, 47 (9), 2005-2014.

3.Nawaratna, G.; Fernando, S. D., Reaction Kinetics of Transesterification with Titanium Alkoxide-Based Phase-Transforming Catalyst. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 2013, 52 (25), 8392-8398.

4.Nawaratna, G. I.; Rooney, W. L.; Leonhardt, C.; Fernando, S. D., Phase Stability of a Triglyceride/Alcohol/Catalytic-Surfactant System in Transesterification. Energy Technology 2013, 1 (5-6), 359-363.

5.Nawaratna, G.; Fernando, S. D., Effect of Metal groups in Transition Metal Alkoxide Catalysts on Transesterification. Advances in Materials 2012, 1 (1), 1-8.

6.Nawaratna, G.; Lacey, R.; Fernando, S. D., Effect of hydrocarbon tail-groups of transition metal alkoxide based amphiphilic catalysts on transesterification. Catalysis Science & Technology 2012, 2 (2), 364-372.

7.Nawaratna, G.; Fernando, S. D.; Adhikari, S., Response of Titanium-Isopropoxide-Based Heterogeneous Amphiphilic Polymer Catalysts for Transesterification. Energy & Fuels 2010, 24 (8), 4123-4129.

8.Nawaratna, G.; Adhikari, S.; Lacey, R. E.; Fernando, S. D., Reforming glycerol under electro-statically charged surface conditions. Energy & Environmental Science 2010, 3 (10), 1593-1599.

Conference Presentations:

1.Gayan I Nawaratna and S. Fernando, Effect of metal head group in metal alkoxides catalysis transesterification. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Annual Conference proceedings 2012.

2.Gayan I Nawaratna and S. Fernando, Effect of tail group in alkoxides catalysis transesterification. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Annual Conference proceedings 2011.

3.Gayan I Nawaratna and S. Fernando, Transesterification with Partially Polymerized Metal Alkoxide Heterogeneous Catalysts. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Annual Conference proceedings 2010.

4.Nawaratna, G. and S.D. Fernando, Reforming glycerol under electro-statically charged surface conditions. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Annual Conference proceedings 2009.

SOCIETIES AND LEADERSHIP

Texas A&M University, College Station TX. USA

Sri Lankan Student Association, Secretary 2012, Committee member 2010-2011, member 2008- present.

Texas A&M Badminton Club, Member 2009-2011.

Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS. USA

Sri Lankan Association, Treasurer 2007, Active Member 2006-2008.

Mississippi State University Cricket Club, Active Member 2007-2008.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS & ACTIVITIES

American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, August 2007 – Present.

Institute of Biological Engineering, May 2008 – May 2009.

HONORS

National Science Foundation, Dissertation Grant, August 2008 – August 2012.

Texas A&M Graduate student council, Travel Grant, July 2010.

National Science Foundation, Thesis Grant, August 2006 – August 2008.

REFERENCES

Dr. Sandun Fernando P.E. (PhD advisor)

Affiliation: Texas A&M University, Biological & Agricultural Engineering

Graduate Coordinator

Associate Professor (Bioenergy and Bioproducts)

Biological & Agricultural Engineering

303 C, Scoates Hall, TAMU 2117, TX 77845, USA

e-mail: *********@****.***

Phone: +979-***-****

Dr. Cady Engler P.E. (Graduate Committee)

Affiliations: Texas A&M University, Biological & Agricultural Engineering

Professor (Food and Bioprocess)

Biological & Agricultural Engineering

309 Scoates Hall, TAMU 2117, TX 77845, USA

e-mail: *-******@****.***

Phone: +979-***-****

Dr. Hae-kwon Jeong (Graduate Committee)

Affiliation: Texas A&M University, Chemical Engineering

Associate Professor

Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering

Jack E. Brown Engineering Bldg

3122 TAMU Room 233, College Station TX 77843

Email: *****@*******.****.***

Phone: +979-***-****

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