SALIYA N RATNAYAKA, PH.D.

*** * **** ******, *** 35 • Tucson, Arizona 85719

Home: 520-***-**** • Mobile: 520-***-**** • cca4ga@r.postjobfree.com

ANALYTICAL CHEMIST / RESEARCH SCIENTIST

Separation ~ Spectroscopy ~ Polymer Chemistry ~ Surface Characterization ~ Lipid/Surfactant Chemistry ~ Wet Chemistry ~ Organic Chemistry Techniques

Strong theoretical and practical experience in defining and conducting analytical research, implementing development activities to catalyze new research ideas and successfully completing projects. A Ph.D. in Chemistry, external publications, and exceptional scientific methodology and research project leadership. Background serving on cross-functional teams, communicating and documenting progress of projects to diverse teams of stakeholders and supervising research associate’s projects while contributing to their analytical development.

HPLC • Capillary Electrophoresis • Dialysis • Size Exclusion Chromatography • Column and Thin Layer Chromatography • ATRP • Chemical and Light-induced Polymerizations • Polymer Film Characterization • ELISA • MALDI-MS • UV-Vis • AA • ICP • FTIR • Fluorescence Measurements • Biocompatible Interface Development • Bio and Chemical Sensor Development • Differential Scanning Calorimtry (DSC) • Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) • Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) • Contact Angle Measurements • SEM • Ellipsometry • Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) Films • Nano-scale Functionalized Thin Films • Coating Development • Preparation and Characterization of Liposomes and Thin Lipid Films • Acid-base and Redox Titrations • pH and Metal Ion Buffers • Chemical Identification • Synthesis, Separation and Detection of Molecules • Self-assembled Lipid Monolayer (SAM) • Novel Separation Media • Chemical Modification and Stabilization • Organic Chemistry • Colloid Chemistry

CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT, PURDUE UNIVERISITY • 2008 – 2010

Conducted post doctoral research under Professor Mary J. Wirth, whose work focuses on the interface of chemistry and medicine, with a goal of creating technology for earlier detection of diseases.

POST DOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE, PURDUE UNIVERSITY

Developed chromatographic methods to improve separation and resolution of proteins.

Supervised, mentored and advised a team of graduate students on their Ph.D. research projects.

Achievements

• Developed capillary electrophoresis, and capillary chromatography methods to improve separation and resolution of glycoprotein bio-markers for cancer detection.

• Designed an ultra-fast thin layer chromatography method to separate protein mixtures.

• Increased resolution and efficiency of commercial chromatographic techniques through the utilization of nano-materials.

CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT, UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA • 2002 - 2008

Pursued graduate studies through the University of Arizona’s prestigious Chemistry and Biochemistry department, considered to be on the cutting edge of research and innovation. Graduate studies program focus was analytical chemistry.

RESEARCH SPECIALIST, UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA (June 2007 – August 2008)

Characterized polymer molecules, tested bio sensor architectures for incorporation of membrane

Proteins. Team leader for designing and characterizing novel bio-polymer group. Oversaw, guided and directed graduate students on their research projects.

Achievements

• Brought the project to completion through the development of a novel radical polymerization method that is mild enough to stabilize proteins in chemical sensors.

SALIYA N RATNAYAKA,Ph.D. (cca4ga@r.postjobfree.com • Home: 520-***-****)

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• Devised an efficient chromatographic method to clean and recycle in-line materials, which increased productivity and reduced costs of raw materials, manufacturing, and waste disposal.

GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT, UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA (JUNE 2002 – MAY 2007)

Characterized ultra-thin films on silicon and gold surfaces. Developed analytical assays to screen lipids based on their properties. Prepared lipid vesicles to entrap small molecules. First point of contact and team leader for the team that designed novel bio-polymers for artificial photosynthesis (Solar cell) membranes.

Achievements

• Achieved a 900% improvement on the development and characterization of novel ultra-thin lipid layers on silicon and gold surfaces in replace of the existing surfaces.

• Instrumental in contributing to the current understanding of permeability of polymerizable lipids through developing analytical assays that screen lipids based on permeability to small molecules.

• Built lipid polymers (liposomes) that can carry small molecules without leaking, which could be useful as drug carrying vessels.

EDUCATION

2007, Ph.D: Chemistry (Analytical), University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

Dissertation: Formation and characterization of hybrid bilayers and diffusion of cations across liposomal membranes: Studies based on polymerizable lipids

• Presented oral and poster presentations at ACS, PITTCON, and University of Arizona

• Won the award for best graduate Poster Presentation at Hruby symposium on chemical biology, Tucson, Arizona, 2004

1998, Bachelor of Science, Chemistry, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Thesis: Chemical interactions between butterfly - Danaus chrysippus and plant - Calotropis gigantea – A chromatographic study

PUBLICATIONS

• Ratnayaka, S.N.; Wysocki, R.J.; Saavedra, S.S., Preparation and Characterization of Asymmetric Planar Supported Bilayers Composed of Poly(bis-sorbylphosphatidylcholine) on n-Octadecyltrichlorosilane SAMs. Journal of Colloid & Interface Science 2008, 327 (1), 63-74

• Ratnayaka, S.N.; Elandaloussi, E.H., Korth, B.; Bates, R.B.; Pyun, J.; Hall, H.K.; Saavedra, S.S., Synthesis, Polymerization and Characterization of Novel Sorbyl Functionalized Head Group Lipids – in preparation for “Chemistry and Physics of Lipids”

• Ratnayaka, S.N.; Elandaloussi, E.H., Wysocki, R.J.; Hall, H.K.; Saavedra, S.S., Study of Transmembrane Diffusion of Cations into Polymerized Liposomes – in preparation for “Analytical chemistry”

• Ratnayaka, S.N.; Wirth, M.J.; et al, Separation of Glycoproteins in Capillaries Packed with Boronic Acid Modified Silica Colloidal Crystals – in preparation

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

Current Member, American Chemical Society

2005 – 2006, Vice president, Sri Lankan Student Association, University of Arizona

2003 – 2004, Member, Teaching Evaluation Committee, Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona

2002 – 2003, Participated in the Seminar Committee, Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona

1997 – 1998, President, Chemical Society, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

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