Imalka Munaweera, PhD
• Imalkamunaweera@gmail.com • www.linkedin.com/in/imalkamunaweera
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
- Google scholar h index 12
- Inventor of 4 US and a Sri Lankan granted patents (licensed and commercialized)
- Recipient of NRC-PPP grant-2019-Sri Lanka, TWAS research grant-2019 & UTSW Center for Translational Medicine’s (CTM) pilot grant, USA
- 6+ years of teaching experience in inorganic chemistry, polymer chemistry, general chemistry, organic chemistry, advanced chemical synthesis and instrumental analysis
- 3 years of postdoctoral training experience
- 10+ years of research experience in the field of polymer chemistry, inorganic chemistry, material sciences and nanotechnology
- 10+ years of research experience in instrumentation (FTIR, UV-Vis, PXRD, HPLC, GC-MS, Raman, TGA, DSC, DLS, SEM, TEM etc.)
- 10 years of mentoring experience for high school, undergraduate and graduate students
- Published 8 first authored and 8 co-authored publications
- 50+ invited talks and presentations
EDUCATION
Postdoctoral Training Certificate, 2015-2018, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D.) in Chemistry, GPA 3.95, 2011-2015, The University of Texas at Dallas, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas, USA
Master of Philosophy Research Degree in Chemical and Process Engineering, 2009-2011, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Bachelor of Science (Special Degree) in Chemistry, 2003-2007, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
EMPLOYMENT
Senior Lecturer, University of Sri Jayewardenapura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka , March 2019- present
Assistant Professor in Chemistry, A&M University, Texas, USA, 2018- 2019
Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA, 2015-2018
Graduate Research/Teaching Assistant, Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Dallas, Texas, USA, 2011-2015
Scientist, Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology, Sri Lanka, 2009-2011
Research and Development Chemist, Hayleys Dipped Products PLC, Sri Lanka, 2008-2009
HONORS AND AWARDS
(1) Award for Translational Pilot Grant Program 2017-2018, UT Southwestern Center for Translational Medicine (CTM), USA, 2017.
(2) Society for Thermal Medicine New Investigator Travel Award (Jayne Koskinas Ted Giovanis Foundation), USA, 2017
(3) Research Day Award: Best Basic Science Poster Presentation, 2016, Radiology department, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA, Presentation: “Localized Delivery of Docosahexaenoic Acid Loaded Low-Density Lipoprotein Nanoparticles to the Rat Brain Using Focused Ultrasound”
(4) Natural sciences and mathematics scholarship, 2011-2015, School of natural science and mathematics, University of Texas at Dallas, USA
(5) 1st Place - American Chemical Society meeting in miniature graduate student competition, USA, 2015, Talk: “Nitric oxide and cisplatin releasing wrinkle amine mesoporous silica nanoparticles for treatment of non-small cell lung carcinoma”
(6) Finalist – The Fiber society’s graduate student paper competition- USA, 2014
(7) 2nd place – The Fiber society’s graduate student competition- USA, 2014, Talk: “Novel radiotherapeutic electrospun acrylonitrile-based fiber mats for the treatment of skin cancer”
(8) 2nd Place - American Chemical Society meeting in miniature graduate student competition, USA, 2014, Talk: “Novel chemoradiotherapeutic magnetic nanoparticles for targeted treatment of non-small cell lung cancer”
(9) Betty and Gifford Johnson graduate scholarship, 2013, School of natural science and mathematics, University of Texas at Dallas, USA
(10) National science & technology award, Sri Lanka, 2010
Category - Innovative advanced technologies with commercial potential (Awarded by the president of democratic socialist republic of Sri Lanka)
PUBLICATIONS
(1) Chenchen Bing, Yu Hong, Christopher Hernandez, Megan Rich, Bingbing Cheng, Imalka Munaweera, Debra Szczepanski, Yin Xi, Mark Bolding, Agata Exner, Rajiv Chopra, Characterization of different bubble formulations for blood-brain barrier opening using a focused ultrasound system with acoustic feedback control, Scientific Reports, 2018, 8, 7986.
(2) Imalka Munaweera, Sumbul Shaikh, Danny Maples, Ashish Ranjan, David Greenberg, Rajiv Chopra, Temperature-Sensitive Liposomal Ciprofloxacin for the Treatment of Biofilm on Infected Metal Implants using Alternating Magnetic Fields, International Journal of Hyperthermia, 2018, 34, 189-200. (Special issue - Thermal Therapy and Infectious diseases)
(3) Rajiv Chopra, Sumbul Shaikh, Yonatan Chatzinoff, Imalka Munaweera, Bingbing Cheng, Seth M. Daly, Yin Xi, James J. Howard, Joris Nofiele, Chenchen Bing, Dennis Burns, David E Greenberg, Employing high-frequency alternating magnetic fields for the non-invasive treatment of prosthetic joint infections, Scientific Reports, 2017, 7, 7520.
(4) Nadeesh Madusanka, Chanaka Sandaruwan, Nilwala Kottegodaa, Dinaratne Sirisena, Imalka Munaweera, Ajith De Alwis, Veranja Karunaratne, Gehan A.J. Amaratung, Urea–hydroxyapatite-montmorillonite nanohybrid composites as slow release nitrogen compositions, Applied Clay Science, 2017, 150, 303–308. (Journal impact factor 3.641)
(5) Rohit S Mulik, Chenchen Bing, Michelle Ladouceur-Wodzak, Imalka Munaweera, Rajiv Chopra, Ian R Corbin, Localized delivery of low-density lipoprotein docosahexaenoic acid nanoparticles to the rat brain using focused ultrasound, Biomaterials, 2016, 83, 257-268.
(6) Imalka Munaweera, Michael Trinh, Jessica Hong, and Kenneth J. Balkus Jr. Chemically Powered Nanomotor as a Delivery Vehicle for Biologically Relevant Payloads, Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 2016, 16, 9063-9071.
(7) Bhuvaneswari Koneru, Yi Shi, Imalka Munaweera, Mary Wight-Carter, Humam Kadara, Hong Yuan, Anthony J Di Pasqua, Kenneth J Balkus Jr. Radiotherapeutic bandage for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, Nuclear medicine and biology, 2016, 43, 333-338.
(8) Imalka Munaweera, Shi Yi, Bhuvaneswari Koneru, Ruben Saez, Ali Aliev, Anthony J. Di Pasqua, Kenneth J. Balkus Jr. Chemoradiotherapeutic magnetic nanoparticles for targeted treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, Mol. Pharmaceutics, 2015, 12, 3588–3596.
(9) Imalka Munaweera, Yi Shi, Bhuvaneswari Koneru, Amit Patel, Mai H. Dang, Anthony J. Di Pasqua, Kenneth J. Balkus Jr. Nitric oxide and cisplatin releasing wrinkle amine mesoporous silica nanoparticles for treatment of non-small cell lung carcinoma, Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, 2015, 153, 23-31.
(10) Imalka Munaweera, Ali Aliev, Kenneth J. Balkus , Jr. Electrospun cellulose acetate-garnet nanocomposite magnetic fibers for bioseparations, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2014, 6, 244–251.
(11) Imalka Munaweera, Bhuvaneswari Koneru, Yi Shi, Anthony J. Di Pasqua, Kenneth J. Balkus Jr. Chemoradiotherapeutic wrinkled mesoporous silica nanoparticles for use in cancer therapy, APL Materials, 2014, 2, 113315 (Invited paper).
(12) Imalka Munaweera, Daniel Levesque-Bishop, Shi Yi, Anthony J. Di Pasqua, Kenneth J. Balkus Jr. Radiotherapeutic bandage based on electrospun polyacrylonitrile containing holmium-166 iron garnet nanoparticles for the treatment of skin cancer. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2014, 6, 22250–22256.
(13) Imalka Munaweera, Jessica Hong, Alicia D'Souza, Kenneth J. Balkus Jr. Novel wrinkled periodic mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles for hydrophobic anticancer drug delivery. Journal of Porous
Materials, 2014, 22, 1-10.
(14) G P Gunaratne, Nilwala Kottegoda, Nadeesh Madusanka, Imalka Munaweera, Chanaka Sandaruwan, W M G I Priyadarshana, Asitha Siriwardhana, B A D Madhushanka, U A Rathnayake, Veranja Karunaratne, Two new plant nutrient nanocomposites based on urea coated hydroxyapatite: Efficacy and plant uptake, Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 86, 494–9.
(15) Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka, Dinaratne Sirisena, Nimal Dissanayaka, Gihan A.J. Amaratunga and Veranja Karunaratne, The advent of nanotechnology in smart fertilizer, World Agriculture, 2012, 3, 27-31.
(16) Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka and Veranja Karunaratne, A green slow release fertilizer composition based on urea modified hydroxyapatite nanoparticles encapsulated wood, Current Science, 2011,101, 73-78.
PATENTS
(1) Iron garnet nanoparticles for cancer radiotherapy and chemotherapy, Anthony J. Di Pasqua, Kenneth J. Balkus Jr., Imalka Munaweera, Yi Shi (United States Patent US9808543 - Granted & Licensed).
(2) Iron garnet nanoparticles for cancer radiotherapy and chemotherapy, Anthony J. Di Pasqua, Kenneth J. Balkus Jr., Imalka Munaweera, Yi Shi (United States Patent and US10195297- Granted & Licensed).
(3) Compositions for sustained release of agricultural macronutrients and process thereof, Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka and Veranja Karunaratne. (United States Patent Publication: US8361185 B2- Granted & Commercialized)
(4) A cellulose based sustained release macronutrient composition for fertilizer application, Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka, Sunanda Gunasekara, Lilantha Samaranayake, Ajith De Alwis and Veranja Karunaratne (United States Patent Publication: US8617284 B2- Granted & Commercialized).
(5) Elastomeric polymer/spinel nanoparticles composites to introduce special properties to dipped articles, W.S.Fernando, L.P.Nethsinghe, N.S.Kottegoda and M.T.I.S.Munaweera (Publication No: WO/2010/046789, International Application No: PCT/IB2009/051158).
(6) Dipped gloves based on elastomeric nanocomposites, W.S.Fernando, L.P.Nethsinghe, N.S.Kottegoda and M.T.I.S.Munaweera. (Sri Lankan Patent Application No: 15164). *Patents 3 and 4 above have been extended to China, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, Canada, ARIPO, European Union, India, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, and Nigeria.
(7) Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka and Veranja Karunaratne. Compositions for sustained release of agricultural macronutrients and processes thereof: Sri Lanka patent application 16963, 2012.
(8) Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka and Veranja Karunaratne. Compositions for sustained release of agricultural macronutrients and processes thereof: Malaysia patent application MYPI 2012005244, 2012.
(9) Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka and Veranja Karunaratne. Compositions for sustained release of agricultural macronutrients and processes thereof: Philippines patent application PH 1/2012/502408, 2012.
(10) Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka and Veranja Karunaratne. Compositions for sustained release of agricultural macronutrients and processes thereof: India patent application IN2708/MUMNP/2012, 2012.
(11) Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka and Veranja Karunaratne. Compositions for sustained release of agricultural macronutrients and processes thereof: Mexico patent application MX2012014221, 2012.
(12) Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka and Veranja Karunaratne. Compositions for sustained release of agricultural macronutrients and processes thereof: Europe patent application EP2576484, 2012.
(13) Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka and Veranja Karunaratne. Compositions for sustained release of agricultural macronutrients and processes thereof: China patent application CN103124710, 2012.
(14) Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka and Veranja Karunaratne. Compositions for sustained release of agricultural macronutrients and processes thereof: Canada patent application CA2801316, 2012.
(15) Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka and Veranja Karunaratne. Compositions for sustained release of agricultural macronutrients and processes thereof: Australia patent application AU2011262310, 2012.
(16) Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka and Veranja Karunaratne. Compositions for sustained release of agricultural macronutrients and processes thereof: PCT application PCT/IB20 11/001545, 2011 (National phase filing in 16 countries covering all continents).
(17) Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka, Sunanda Gunasekara, Lilantha Samaranayake, Ajith De Alwis and Veranja Karunaratne. Cellulose based sustained release macronutrient composition for fertilizer application: Sri Lanka patent application 16968, 2012.
(18) Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka, Sunanda Gunasekara, Lilantha Samaranayake, Ajith De Alwis and Veranja Karunaratne. Cellulose based sustained release macronutrient composition for fertilizer application: Malaysia patent application MYPI 2012005298, 2012.
(19) Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka, Sunanda Gunasekara, Lilantha Samaranayake, Ajith De Alwis and Veranja Karunaratne. Cellulose based sustained release macronutrient composition for fertilizer application: Philippines patent application PH 1/2012/502407, 2012.
(20) Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka, Sunanda Gunasekara, Lilantha Samaranayake, Ajith De Alwis and Veranja Karunaratne. Cellulose based sustained release macronutrient composition for fertilizer application: India patent application IN2709/MUMNP/2012, 2012.
(21) Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka, Sunanda Gunasekara, Lilantha Samaranayake, Ajith De Alwis and Veranja Karunaratne. Cellulose based sustained release macronutrient composition for fertilizer application: Mexico patent application MX2012014378, 2012.
(22) Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka, Sunanda Gunasekara, Lilantha Samaranayake, Ajith De Alwis and Veranja Karunaratne. Cellulose based sustained release macronutrient composition for fertilizer application: Europe patent application EP2576485, 2012.
(23) Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka, Sunanda Gunasekara, Lilantha Samaranayake, Ajith De Alwis and Veranja Karunaratne. Cellulose based sustained release macronutrient composition for fertilizer application: China patent application CN102985393, 2012.
(24) Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka, Sunanda Gunasekara, Lilantha Samaranayake, Ajith De Alwis and Veranja Karunaratne. Cellulose based sustained release macronutrient composition for fertilizer application: Canada patent application CA2801614, 2012.
(25) Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka, Sunanda Gunasekara, Lilantha Samaranayake, Ajith De Alwis and Veranja Karunaratne. Cellulose based sustained release macronutrient composition for fertilizer application: Brazil patent application BR112012031098, 2012.
(26) Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka, Sunanda Gunasekara, Lilantha Samaranayake, Ajith De Alwis and Veranja Karunaratne. Cellulose based sustained release macronutrient composition for fertilizer application: Australia patent application AU2011263433, 2012.
(27) Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka, Sunanda Gunasekara, Lilantha Samaranayake, Ajith De Alwis and Veranja Karunaratne. Cellulose based sustained release macronutrient composition for fertilizer application: ARIPO application AP3633, 2012.
(28) Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka, Sunanda Gunasekara, Lilantha Samaranayake, Ajith De Alwis and Veranja Karunaratne. Cellulose based sustained release macronutrient composition for fertilizer application: South African patent application ZA20120009065. 2012.
(29) Nilwala Kottegoda, Imalka Munaweera, Nadeesh Madusanka, Sunanda Gunasekara, Lilantha Samaranayake, Ajith De Alwis and Veranja Karunaratne. Cellulose based sustained release macronutrient composition for fertilizer application: PCT application PCT/IB201 1/001715, 2011 (National phase filing in 16 countries covering all continents).
INNOVATIONS LEADING TO SALE OF TECHNOLOGY
Two patents (1 and 2 above) were licensed to pharmaceutical startup company, USA .
Two patents (3 and 4 above) were purchased by Nagarjuna Fertilzer Ltd., India.
RESEARCH GRANTS
(1) NRC PPP-2019- Awarded
University of Sri Jayewardenepura,
Role: Co-PI
Amount: Rs. 42 M
Duration: Three-years
Project: Waste Coconut Coir Based Multi-purpose Nano-water Filters
(2) TWAS research grants programme in basic sciences (groups)- Awarded
University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
Role: Co-PI
Amount: $30000
(2) UTSW Translational Pilot Program 2017-2018 Funding-Awarded
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, USA
Role: PI
Amount: $35000
Duration: one-year
Project: Non-invasive treatment of prosthetic joint infections using alternating magnetic fields
REFEREES
Professor Ajith De Alwis, Senior Professor, Department Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, E-mail: ajith@uom.lk, ajith@costi.gov.lk, Tel: +94 777342476
Professor Veranja Karunaratne, Associate Director, Research and Strategic Planning and Professor of Organic Chemistry, Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology, Center for Excellence in Nanotechnology, Pitipana, Homagama, Sri Lanka, E-mail: vernjak@slintec.lk, Tel:+94772047872, +9411465050