Vice Chancellor
Senior Professor Pathmalal M. Manage
Prof. Pathmalal M. Manage holds esteemed positions at the university, serving as the Professor of Zoology, Former Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Co-chair of the Research Council, and founder and Senior Director of the Centre for Water Quality and Algae Research.
His leadership extends both in Sri Lanka and worldwide, encompassing roles such as University Coordinator for Sri Lanka Biology Olympiad Competition, Treasurer of the Institute of Biology, and Chief Examiner for G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) Biology. Furthermore, he has contributed to various projects, including being a National Consultant and Algae and Toxin Expert for Eastern Province water supply development projects and acting as a Team Leader in preparing a strategic plan for the lower Kelani river basin and a socio-economic and environmental report of the Karadiyana Waste Dumpsite. His dedication and expertise in the fields of biology, water quality, and environmental management are evident in his multifaceted contributions.
In addition to his numerous accomplishments, Senior Professor M. M. Pathmalal has received several prestigious fellowships, including Honorary Senior Research Fellow at Robert Gordon University, UK in 2019, and Honorary Senior Research Fellow at Sydney University, Australia from 2021 to date. He is also recognized as a Chartered Fellow (F.I Biol) of the Institute of Biology since 2017 and holds the title of Chartered Biologist from the same institute since 2017.
His postdoctoral fellowships have been equally impressive, with positions at esteemed institutions such as the Institute of Advanced Science and Technology (AIST) and Institute of Health and Safety Research (IHSR) in Tsukuba, Japan from 2004 to 2005, the Department of Phototoxin, School of Pharmacology at Robert Gordon University, UK in 2006, a Leverhulme Trust Post-Doctoral Research Visiting Research Fellowship from 2007 to 2008, and engagements with the Global Centre for Environmental Studies at Ehime University, Japan in 2010, Commonwealth Fellowship at Robert Gordon University, UK from 2013 to 2014, a Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council Fellowship in the UK from 2018 to 2020, and a Fulbright Senior Research Fellowship in the USA from 2021 to 2022. These fellowships further underscore his expertise and global recognition in the fields of research and academia.
Senior Professor M. M. Pathmalal’s research publications are extensive and include 82 indexed journal publications in SCI and Scopus, 29 peer-reviewed journal publications, 343 national and international abstract publications, 6 textbooks, 7 book chapters, and 3 laboratory and field manuals. His significant body of work reflects his dedication to advancing knowledge in his field and contributing to academia through various forms of publication.
Furthermore he has received outstanding research recognition at the national level, including the CVCD Excellence Award for being the most outstanding senior researcher in 2020, the Environmental Award for Green Jobs on World Environmental Day in 2009 by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Sri Lanka Leadership Award for Education as the Best Professor in Zoology in 2018, the Presidential Award in 2005-2006, the Bronze Award at “Innovate Sri Lanka 2019,” the “First Place” in the “Energy and Environment” category for the domestic water filter innovation at “Innovate Sri Lanka 2019,” the “Innovation award – 3rd place” for the textile wastewater effluents treatment unit at Innovate Sri Lanka 2019, multiple Presidential Awards for High Impact SCI Publications in various years (2007, 2008, 2009, and 2015), Merit Awards from the National Research Council in 2011, 2013, and 2018, and the SUSRED Awards in 2016, 2018, and 2019, along with being awarded the Japanese Government Scholarship in 1995.
Senior Professor M. M. Pathmalal’s impressive research journey includes being a Research Fellow at Robert Gordon University, UK in 2019, a Research Fellow at Sydney University, Australia from 2021 to date, achieving Gold Medalist status as the best PhD Research Student at the Postgraduate Convocation of Ehime University, Japan in 2001, holding the Leverhulme Trust Visiting Researcher Fellowship in 2007, being awarded the Commonwealth Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in the UK from 2013 to 2014, being invited as a researcher at the Institute of Advanced Science and Technology (AIST) and Institute of Health and Safety Research (IHSR), Tsukuba, Japan in 2004, serving as a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the Department of Phototoxin, School of Pharmacology, Robert Gordon University, UK in 2006, receiving the Center for Global Environmental Studies (CGES) Award in Japan in 2010, and being granted awards by the Microbiology Society International Development to conduct workshops on the “Cyanotoxin Toolbox Part I” in 2013 and “Cyanotoxin Toolbox Part II” in 2018 at USJ.
International Symposium on Cyanobacteria and Public Health
The 2nd International Symposium on Cyanobacteria and Public Health, organized by the Centre for Water Quality and Algae Research was held on the 15th January 2018, at the Golden Rose Hotel, Boralesganuwa.
What we do
We are a collaborative, supportive, and diverse group that is dedicated to advancing science and conservation alongside justice and equity. We offer opportunities to lead independent research and work collaboratively in teams. We provide opportunities to develop a range of skills including lab and field skills, quantitative and theoretical tools, reproducible research practices, science communication, and community engagement.
We identify and try to solve environmental problems. To learn even more, we share information with other countries, private sector organizations, academic institutions, and other agencies.
For Students
The Center for Water Quality and Algae Research is a leading center for water quality and cyanobacteria-related career education and research. As part of the University of Sri Jayewardanapura, USJ will provide you with credentials that are recognized around the world. As the largest Water Quality lab of its kind in Sri Lanka, USJ offers a suite of programs that are found nowhere else in the country. A variety of resources are available and developed to support graduate student research, including proposal development, identifying funding opportunities, and completing ethics applications to help you get your research career off to the right start.
Leisure time
Leisure time gives students an opportunity to relax and stop worrying about work or other stressful aspects of their lives.
It’s important that you make the most out of your free time as a postgraduate student.