PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

• An experienced, resourceful, and highly committed analytical chemist with 7+ years of research experience in academic and industrial laboratory settings.

• Adept in synthesizing organic molecules, nano wires and Pt nanoparticles using electrochemistry.

• Expertise in electroanalytical techniques, electrosynthesis, electrodeposition, spectroscopy, chromatography, and microscopy.

• Established track record of innovative research/technology development, resulting in 5 peer-reviewed publications including JACS.

• Results-oriented individual with excellent organizational, leadership and communication skills including teaching, presentation, manuscript, and technical report writing.

• A solid academic and professional background, as well as teamwork abilities TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE

• Instrumentation: Voltammetry, NMR, GC, UV-VIS, LC-MS/MS, AAS, ISCO/Biotage chromatography, EDS, SEM.

• Laboratory: Expertise in inert atmosphere synthetic methods using glove box and Schlenk line techniques for organic synthesis, nano particle synthesis, electroorganic synthesis.

• Computational: Successfully completed a Diploma in ICT with a Distinction pass at IDM computer studies, Sri Lanka.

(Mainly focused on Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Origin Lab, ImageJ, MestRaNova for NMR analysis. EDUCATION

• Ph.D., Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. October 2022 (expected)

• B.Sc. (specialized in chemistry- Analytical, Organic, Inorganic, Biochemistry) University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. 2015. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University Aug 2017 - Present Graduate Research Assistant Advisor – Prof. Long Luo

• Developed a rational design for optimization of frequency and voltage in alternating current electrolysis for organic synthesis by cyclic voltammetry studies. This work was published in the Journals of American chemical society (JACS)

• Created an electrochemical method for performing Hydrogen Isotope Exchange (HIE) reactions (Ongoing)

• Developed a method to control the growth of nanowire using nano/micro-Pt electrodes and Pt nano particles for sensing applications. This work was published in the Journals of Electro chemical society.

• Contributed to write a review article on alternating current electrolysis for organic synthesis Graduate Teaching Assistant

• Performed discussion classes for General Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry

• Conducted General Chemistry Laboratory

• Graded lab reports, quizzes and exams

Department of Chemistry, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka 2015-2016 Research Assistant Advisor – Prof. Bimali Jayawardena Graduate Teaching Assistant

• Head of graduate Teaching Assistants for chemistry special lab- Instructed undergraduate students and graded lab reports and quizzes

Rubber Research Institute at Rathmalana, Sri Lanka- Internship 2013- 2014 Research Assistant Advisor – Dr. Nilmini Liyanage The Effect of compatibilizer system on physical properties of NBR/EPDM blend. Disni Gunasekera

+1-313-***-**** adrv3r@r.postjobfree.com 4144 Saint Antoine Street, Apt B, Detroit, MI 48201 PUBLICATIONS

• Gunasekara, D.; Mahajan, J. P.; Wanzi, Y.; Rodrigo, S.; Liu, W.; Tan, T.; Luo, L.Controlling One- or Two-Electron Oxidation for Selective Amine Functionalization by Alternating Current Frequency, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2022, DOI:10.1021/jacs.2c02605.(Link)

• Rodrigo, S.; Gunasekera, D.; Mahajan, J. P.; Luo, L., Alternating Current Electrolysis for Organic Synthesis. Curr. Opin. Electrochem. 2021, 100712. (Link)

• Gunasekera, D.; Silva, R. C. L. D. Study of the Effects of Soil Acidity and Salinity on Aluminium Mobility in Selected Soil Samples in Sri Lanka. Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology. 2020, 13, 58-67.(Link)

• Rodrigo, S.; Um, C.; Mixdorf, J. C.; Gunasekera, D.; Nguyen, H. M.; Luo, L., Alternating Current Electrolysis for Organic Electrosynthesis: Trifluromethylation of (Hetero)arenes. Org. Lett. 2020, 22 (17), 6719-6723. (Link)

• Gunasekera, D.; Kilani, M.; Yu, X.; Chen, Q.; Mao, G.; Luo, L., A Mass Transfer-Based Method for Controlled Electrosynthesis and Organization of Tetrathiafulvalene Bromide Micro/Nanowires. J. Electrochem. Soc. 2019, 166 (2), H63-H69. (Link)

PATENTS

• L. Luo; H. M. Nguyen; Rodrigo, S.; Um, C.; Gunasekera, D.; Mixdorf, J. Alternating Current Electrochemistry for Use in Organic Synthesis. 2020 U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/957,092, filed January 3, 2020. AWARDS

• David F. Boltz Award in Analytical Chemistry, Wayne State University, MI, USA, 2022-2023 (In recognition of the most outstanding graduate student in analytical chemistry research)

• Graduate Student Professional Travel Award, Wayne State University, MI, USA, 2022

• Thomas C. Rumble University Graduate Fellowship, Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University, MI, USA, 2019

– 2020

• Graduate School Citation for Excellence in Teaching, Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University, MI, USA, 2019 CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

• Gunasekera, D.;Mahajan, J.P.; Wanzi Y.; Rodrigo S.; Luo,L., Controlling one- or two-electron oxidation in electroorganic synthesis by rational design of alternating current frequency. American Chemical Society (ACS) Spring, San Diego, California, 2022. (Poster)

• Gunasekera, D.;Mahajan, J.P.; Wanzi Y.; Luo,L., Controlling one- or two-electron oxidation in electroorganic synthesis by rational design of alternating current frequency. Graduate and Postdoctaral Research Symposium, Wayne State University,Michigan, 2022. (Poster)

• Gunasekera, D.;Mahajan, J.P.; Wanzi Y.; Luo,L., Rational Design of Alternating Current Electrolysis for Selective α- Amino C-H Arylation Reaction. 22nd Chemistry Graduate Research Symposium, Wayne State University,Michigan, 2021.

(Poster)

• Gunasekera, D.; Kilani, M.; Yu, X.; Chen, Q.; Mao, G.; Luo, L., Controlling the Morphology and Ensemble of Tetrathiafulvalene Bromide Nano/Microwires by Mass Transfer in Electrodeposition. C.P. Lee Endowed Graduate Student Research Presentation Day (GSRPD), Wayne State University, Michigan, 2018. (Poster).

• Gunasekera, D.; Kilani, M.; Yu, X.; Chen, Q.; Mao, G.; Luo, L., A Simple Mass Transfer-Based Method for Electrosynthesis of Uniform Tetrathiafulvalene Bromide Micro/Nanowires with High Aspect Ratio and Controlled Density. Midwestern Universities Analytical Chemistry Conference (MUACC), 2018. (Poster).

• Gunasekera, D.; De Silva, R.C.L., Study of the Effects of Soil Acidity and Salinity on Aluminium Mobility in Selected Soil Samples. Water Quality and Human Health International Symposium, Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2015. (Oral).

LEADERSHIP, MENTORING, SERVICE & OUTREACH

• Organized electrochemical lecture series called “Trailblazers in electrochemistry”, on behalf of Electrochemical Society Detroit Student Chapter, 2020 – 2021

• Secretary of the Electrochemical Society Detroit Student Chapter, 2020 – 2021

• Volunteered at the STEM Day event - “The Science of Paper”, Wayne State University 2020

• One high school student was instructed in nanowire deposition experiments, while one graduate student and two post-docs were instructed in CV analysis and electroorganic synthesis studies.

• Safety officer, Luo lab, Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University, 2017-present

• Served on the organizing committee for the International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Science, Sri Lanka, 2016

• Served as a resource person in the practical training programme for GCE A/L Biosystems Technology Teachers conducted by Ministry of Education.

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