Dr. Janitha Walpita
BSc. (Hons)(USJP), PhD. (Bowling Green,USA)
Currently a Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
Metal-free motifs for electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER), Proton-coupled electron transfer in loosely coupled systems, Removal of industrially-relevant organic pollutants using different techniques are the specialties Dr. expertise he holds.
Academic Qualifications
Ph.D. Photochemical Sciences (2010-2015), Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA.
Dissertation Title: “Iminium based electrocatalysts for water oxidation and organic photohydrides for proton reduction”
BSc. Special Degree in Chemistry, Second Class Upper Division
The University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka (2002-2007)
Thesis Title: “Quality evaluation of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) oleoresin using its pungent principles”
Professional Experience
- Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka (June 2017– to date)
- Visiting Lecturer, Kotelawala Defense University (KDU), Sri Lanka, MSc in Electrical/Electronic & Telecommunication Program (April 2018– to date)
- Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, USA, Aug 2015 – May 2017
- Graduate Teaching/Research Assistant, Center for Photochemical Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, USA, Aug 2010-Aug 2015
- Assistant Production Executive, Lanka Walltile PLC – Nugegoda, Sri Lanka, July 2007-July 2010
Research Interests
- Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer (PCET) studies in loosely coupled organic moieties.
- Removal of environmental pollutants using layered nano-clays (in collaboration with Dr Nadeesh Adassooriya (FAS, USJP).
- Photocatalysis in water purification.
Knowledge Dissemination
- Resource person for TOT program -Training Teachers for Science and Technology Research in School Level; organized by SLAAS Section C (Engineering, Surveying and Architecture) with the support of Ministry of Science, Technology and Research and Ministry of Education covering all 9 provinces.
- A talk on Research Methodology.
- Resource person/ Educator: “You be the Chemist” local challenge Northside Middle School, Muncie, IN, USA.
- Judging at the 2016 East Central Indiana Regional Science Fair, IN, USA.
- Educator: ACS standard examination General chemistry at Ball State University, Muncie, IN, USA.