Research Assistant Associate

Himali K. Somaweera, Ph.D.

(United States Permanent Resident)

***************@*****.*** 714-***-**** www.linkedin.com/in/himali-somaweera-70a75764/ SUMMARY

Skilled in experimental design, method development/validation using analytical instrumentation Expertise in microfluidic device fabrication and development, cell-based analysis in cancer cell lines (bioanalytical and biomedical engineering R&D)

Supervisory experience with team members training, mentoring and working collaboratively with other teams EDUCATION

Ph.D. in Chemistry: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX. 2015 (GPA:3.96) Dissertation: “Concentration gradient across 256 cell culture-array in microfluidic device and mathematical simulations” MS in Chemistry in concentration of Biochemistry: California State University, Sacramento, CA. 2011 Thesis: “Development of an isolation scheme for cytotoxic constituents from Artemisia douglasiana” B.Sc. in Biological Sciences: University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. 2007 Chemistry, Botany, Computer Science

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Skills: Experience in method development and validation, experienced in summarizing and presenting results, leadership experience as mentoring students, writing grant proposals, reviewing journal articles. Instrumentation: Oxygen plasma, HPLC/HPLC-UV, GC-MS, LC-MS, FTIR, Flow Cytometer, Florescence microscopes, UV/Vis, AAS, Microplate reader.

Software: Chemstation (Open Lab)/ Mass hunter, Chromeleon, PYMOL, Image J, Microplate Manager, COMSOL, PYTHON.

Expert in Techniques: Wet lab operations, Soft Lithography, Flash Chromatography, Cell Imaging, Mammalian cell culture maintenance, Glass Wet Etching, Electrophoresis, and Isotachophoresis. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Visiting Assistant Professor: Department of Chemistry. (Aug 2019 – present)

● Gustavus Adolphus College, Augsburg University

● Teaching undergraduate level chemistry

Visiting Researcher: Department of chemistry, Gustavus Adolphus College, Saint Peter, MN

(April 2021-Aug 2021)

● Analysis of protein using 2D-Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), collaboration with MERCK

● Predicting retention time data for small molecules using ion exchange chromatography validation with simulation

Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX

(Jun 2016- June 2019)

● Developed a miniaturized microfluidic device to detect cell metabolites such as LDH using isotachophoresis.

● Developed a method to separate exosomes based on their size using capillary electrophoresis

● Contributor of the project developed a microfluidic cardiac flow profile detector

● Prepared annual reports and presentations for funding agencies that supported for each project

● Supervision of graduate and undergraduate students Graduate Research Assistant: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX

(Aug 2011- May 2015)

● Constructed a microfluidic gradient generator to create concentration gradient across 256 cell culture arrays that can be used to culture any type of cells inside the chambers without any anchoring steps.

● A mathematical model was designed using COMSOL multi-physics to validate experimental data

● A method was developed to separate glycans from glycoprotein, coupling mass spectrometry (ESI and MALDI-TOF) to microfluidic devices

Graduate Research Assistant: Department of Natural Science and Mathematics, California State University, Sacramento, CA (Jan 2009- Aug 2011)

● Developed an isolation scheme to isolate cytotoxic constituents from California mugworts towards breast cancer cells using GC-MS and HPLC analytical intrumentation

● Confirmed the effect of California mugworts extracts on normal cells in human body PUBLICATIONS

7. A fully integrated isotachophoresis with a programmable microfluidic platform, A. Shebindu, H. Somaweera, Z. Estlack, J. Kim and J. Kim, Talanta, 2021, 225, 122039. 6. Characterization and Optimization of Isotachophoresis Parameters for Pacific Blue Succinimidyl Ester Dye on a PDMS Microfluidic Chip, H. Somaweera, Z. Estlack, J. P. Devadhasan, J. Kim, J. Kim, Micromachines, 2020, 11, 951. 5. A microfluidic cardiac flow profile generator for studying the effect of shear stress on valvular endothelial cells, J. Lee, Z. Estlack, H. Somaweera, X. Wang, C. M. R. Lacerda and J. Kim, Lab Chip, 2018, 18, 2946. 4. A review of chemical gradient systems for cell analysis H. Somaweera, A. Ibraguimov and D. Pappas, Analytica Chimica Acta,, 2015, 907, 7-17.

3. On-chip gradient generation in 256 microfluidic cell cultures: simulation and experimental, H. Somaweera, S. O. Haputhanthri, A. Ibraguimov, and D. Pappas, Analyst, 2015,140, 5029-5038. 2. Generation of a chemical gradient across an array of 256 cell cultures in a single chip, H. Somaweera, A. Ibraguimov and D. Pappas, Analyst, 2013, 138, 5566. 1. Ethanolic extracts of California mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana Besser) are cytotoxic against normal and cancerous human cells, H. Somaweera, G.C Lai, R. Blackey, B. Littlejohn, J. Kirksey, R.M. Aguirre, V. Lapena, A. Pasqua, and M. M. Hintz, Journal of Herbal Medicine, 2013, 3, 47–51. AWARDS

● First place in 14th Annual Graduate Student Research Poster Competition, Texas Tech University, 2015

● Best graduate research award, Department of Natural Science and Mathematics, California State University, Sacramento, CA, 2011

MENTORSHIP

● Supervised undergraduate students in summer research program at Gustavus Adolphus College, MN (2021)

● Supervised the research projects of graduate students in the BMND research lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX. (2016-2019)

● Supervised and trained undergraduate students in the McCarthy research group (2010- 2011)

● Supervised and trained undergraduate students in the Pappas research group (2012-2015) LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND VOLUNTEER WORK

● Serve in DEI committee in the Department of Chemistry at Gustavus Adolphus College (2021- present)

● Executive committee member-Sri Lankan Students Association (TTU-SLSA) at Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA (2012-2015).

● Volunteered in Kaiser Permanente, Sacramento, CA (2009 -2010)

● Executive committee member- Botany Student Society at University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. (2006- 2007).

● Volunteer staff member of religious youth service (RYS) Sri Lanka, social service organization (2005-2009)

● Active member in university (undergrad) basketball team, highschool band, school volleyball team and Cricket team

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