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UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO

DEPARTMENT OF
PLANT SCIENCES

UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO FACULTY OF SCIENCE DEANS OFFICE SCIENCE LIBRARY SEARCH


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Department of Plant Sciences
University of Colombo
P.O.Box 1490, Colombo 03
Sri Lanka

 Phone : +94(0)11 2585038
 Fax : +94(0)11 2585038
 Email: office@pts.cmb.ac.lk

 
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BEIC
BOT SOC
SYLLABUS:  First year, Second year, Third year general, Special degrees: Plant Science- 3yr  4yr,  Biotechnology- 3yr  4yr,  Bioinfor matics - 3yr  4yr



Dr. Chandrika M. Nanayakkara - Senior Lecturer
B.Sc(Colombo ), M.Sc.(Kelaniya), Ph.D.(Aberdeen )

Address: Department of Plant Sciences, University of Colombo , P.O.Box 1490 , Colombo 03.

E-Mail: hewa_nana@yahoo.com

Phone:+94 (0)11 2585038 (office)

 

 

   AREA OF SPECIALIZATION
  • Agricultural Microbiology and Environmental Microbiology
   ACADEMIC RECORD

  • Ph.D. (Agricultural Microbiology)(2005), Aberdeen University, Scotland, United Kingdom

  • M. Sc. (Applied Microbiology) (2001), University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

  • B.Sc. Hon. (Botany) (1994), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • Accreditation as a Teacher in Higher Education- Staff, Education and Development Association, UK (1999)

  • Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education, University of Colombo (1999)

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    CAREER RECORD

  • Lecturer in Botany, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka from 1994 to 2005.

  • Senior Lecturer in Microbiology, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka from 2005 to date.

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    ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS

  • Chairman- National Committee on Agro-biotechnology- Council for Agricultural Research Policy (July, 2009 to date)

  • Member of the Technical Advisory Committee- Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment (Since Nov., 2010)

  • Internal Auditor - Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment (Sept., 2009 to date)

  • Assessor- Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment (Oct., 2008 to date)

  • Founder and First Coordinator (August, 2009 to date) – Diploma in Microbiological Techniques, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Colombo.

  • Founder and First Coordinator (2007 to date) - M. Sc. in Agricultural Microbiology, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Colombo.

  • Acting Director (Voluntary)– University of Colombo Institute for Agro-Technology and Rural Sciences (Oct., 2008 –Nov. 2009)

  • Acting Director (Voluntary) – Magampura Agro Technology and Community Service Centre, University of Colombo (January 2008 – Oct., 2008)

  • Founder and First Coordinator (2006 to 2008) - Research and Development Forum, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Colombo

  • Department Coordinator for the Science and Technology Cell-University of Colombo (2007 to 2009)

  • Trainee Assessor- Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment (April, 2007- Oct., 2008)

  • Resource person (Microbiology) - Biology Workshop for Advanced Level Teachers - 2005

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    ACADEMIC DISTINCTIONS

  • 1994 - Awarded the “Professor B.L.T. de Silva Memorial Prize” for the most outstanding student at the final special degree examination in Science (Botany), University of Colombo.

  • 1992 – Awarded the “University of Colombo Botany Department Staff Prize” for the best performance in Botany at the first and second examinations in Science, University of Colombo.

  • 1986 – Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship (Merit) based on the performance at the G. C.E (A/L) Examination.

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   FELLOWSHIPS
  • Cochran Fellowship – 2010- Tenable in the USA – Training received on “Biotechnology - Executive Training for Minister Level” offered by the USDA/FAS

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   SPECIALIZED TRAINING

 

  • Internal Auditing of Accreditation Systems based on ISO/IEC 17011- Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment (Sep, 2009)

  • Capacity Building Training Programme on Cleaner Production for University Academics (June, 2009) – National Cleaner Production Centre, Sri Lanka

  • “Economic and Trade Related Issues in Biotechnology in Sri Lanka (2009) - Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy and UN Food and Agriculture Organization

  • Laboratory Accreditation Systems based on ISO/IEC 17025 – National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), India and Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment (April, 2008)

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   WORKSHOPS/ SEMINARS/ SYMPOSIA PARTICIPATED

  • Training Programme on Internal Auditing of Accreditation Systems based on ISO/IEC 17011- Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment (Sep, 2009)

  • Capacity Building Training Programme on Cleaner Production for University Academics (June, 2009) – National Cleaner Production Centre, Sri Lanka

  • Training programme on “Economic and Trade Related Issues in Biotechnology in Sri Lanka” (2009) - Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy and UN Food and Agriculture Organization

  • Training Programme on Laboratory Accreditation Systems based on ISO/IEC 17025 – National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), India and Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment (April, 2008)

  • International Symposium on “Sustaining Global Pressures: Women in Science and Engineering” (2008) – Indian Women Scientists Association, Chennai, India

  • Workshop on Lichen Taxonomy (2005) – University of Peradeniya and the Natural History Museum, UK

  • Workshop on PCR Applications (2000)– University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • International Seminar cumWorkshop on Lichen Taxonomy (1994) – Kathmandu, Nepal

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    COURSE DEVELOPMENT

Introduction and syllabi development of the courses:

  • Postgraduate Programmes

    • M. Sc./Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Microbiology (2007) – The Programme has been developed and introduced in 2007 and the second batch of students was taken in.

  • Diploma Programmes

    • Diploma in Microbiological Techniques (2009) – The Programme has been developed and introduced in 2009 and the first batch of students was taken in.

  • Certificate courses

    • Certificate courses for the Institute for Ago-Technology and Rural Sciences

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    TEACHING EXPERIENCE
  • Undergraduate programmes
    • Full courses
      • Plant Structure, Aspects of Microbiology, Practical Biochemistry, Advance Microbiology, Soil Science
    • Contribute to the following undergraduate courses, too
      • Abrobiotechnology and Bioprospecting
  • Postgraduate Programmes
    • M. Sc./Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Microbiology – Full courses - General Microbiology, Plant-Microbe Interactions, Soil Microbiology, Quality Assurance and Laboratory Management in Microbiology
    • Also contribute to M.Sc./PG Diploma in Plant Cell and Tissue Culture
  • Diploma Courses
    • Diploma in Microbiological Techniques –Full Courses -Microbial Life, Quality Assurance and Laboratory Management in Microbiology
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   PUBLICATIONS

Books

  • Nanayakkara, C. M. (2002). Compendium of Medicinal Plants, A Sri Lankan Study, Vol. II. Pp. 84, 102, 146, 168. Department of Ayurveda, Nawinna, Maharagama, Sri Lanka. ISBN 955-606-030-8
Communications
  • Nanayakkara, CM, Killham, K, Wijesundera, RLC (2005) - The effect of constant soil temperatures on the viability of Rhizoctonia solani propagules. Abstract, Proceedings of the British Soil Science Society Annual Symposium
  • Nanayakkara C.M. (2008). Sri Lankan Women in Science and Engineering & Higher Education – Abstract, Proceedings of the International Symposium on Women in Science and Engineering, Indian Women in Science
  • Dilani, N.D.R. and Nanayakkara, C.M. (2008). Effect of constant soil temperature on rice field weed propagules, Abstract, Proceedings of the University of Colombo Research Symposium
  • Mala W. J., I. S. Kumari, H. A. Sumanasena, C.M. Nanayakkara (2009). Effective spore density of Glomus mosseae, a vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM), for inoculation of pepper (Piper nigrum Linn.) rooted cuttings - Accepted as an oral presentation at the Annual Sessions - PGIA
  • Paba W. D. R. , Nanayakkara C. M., Perera, R. (2009) - Antibacterial properties of some Sri Lankan marine algae - Accepted as an oral presentation at the Annual Sessions - SLASS
  • Bandara, A. and Nanayakkara, C.M. (2009)-Isolation and screening of phosphate solubilizing microorganisms from Sri Lankan soils- Accepted as an oral presentation at the Annual Sessions - SLASS
  • Samanthika, K. A., and Nanayakkara, C.M. (2009) -Investigation of the potential of wood rotting fungi as efficient sawdust decomposers- - Accepted as an oral presentation at the Annual Sessions- SLASS

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   CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

Undergraduate

  • Determination of the efficiency of phosphate solubilization of some selected phosphate solubilizing bacteria isolated from Sri Lankan soils

  • Molecular identification of some efficient phosphate solubilizing fungi

  • Antimicrobial properties of some selected marine algae of Sri Lanka

Postgraduate

    M. Phil Degree  

  • Use of Vesicular Abuscular Mycorrhizae (VAM) for improvement of Eppawala Rock phosphate absorption ability of pepper (Piper nigram Linn.) and cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum presl.) –as the co-investigator with Dr. H.A. Sumanasena, Head/Agronomy, Export Crops Development Board, Matale
  • Evaluation of composition profiles, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of some selected mushrooms and their cultivation techniques with emphasis on mushroom derived product development- As a co-investigator with Dr. J.K.R. Radhika Samarasekara, Senior Research Officer, Herbal Technology Unit, ITI, and Dr. Jinadari De Zoysa, Director, HORDI
  • Use of Phosphate solubilizing bacteria as biofertilizers to improve Sri Lankan agriculture – Grant has been approved by the National Research Council, Sri Lanka

    M. Sc. Degree  

  • Relationship between production and storage conditions on shelf life and microbial quality of desiccated coconut- In collaboration with Mrs. S. S. Purasinghe, B.Sc. (Bio Science, (Hon.)), M.Sc.(Analytical Chemistry), Director (QC & QA), Coconut Development Board, Narahenpita.
  • Performance optimization of microbiological wastewater treatment for rubber effluents- In collaboration with Dr. W.M.G. Senevirathne, Deputy Director – Research (Technology), Rubber Research Institute, Rathmalana
  • Effect of biofertilizers on coconut seedling growth, nutrient availability and soil microbial activities- In collaboration with Dr. N. A. Tennakoon, Head, Soil and Plant Nutrition Division, CRI, Lunuwila
  • Eco-friendly development of enriched compost from municipal solid waste using microbial inoculants- In collaboration with Prof. Arun Lakshmanan, Consultant Biotechnologist, Biopower Lanka Ltd., 125, St. Micheals Rd., Col. 03
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    RESEARCH GROUPS

  • Dr. H.A. Sumanasena, Head/ Agronomy, Department of Export Agricultural Crops Mrs. W. Jayanthi Mala- Research Student (Registered for an M. Phil. Degree with the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Colombo)- NSF funded project

  • Dr. J.K.R. Radhika Samarasekara, Senior Research Officer, Herbal Technology Unit, ITI, Dr. Jinadari De Zoysa, Director, HORDI and Mrs. J.C. Rajapakse, ROIC/ARS, HORDI, Telijawila

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    EXPERIENCE/INTERESTS

 

  • Biological control of plant pathogens

  • Soil solarization as a non-chemical method of pathogen suppression

  • Use of biofertilizers to improve Sri Lankan agriculture

  • Wood decomposing fungi

  • Surveys on topics of current issues of interest

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