Meet Sri Lankan Researcher — Chandima Narangoda

What are you currently working on or worked on before?

I am currently working on methodology development in the synthesis of nitrogen-containing biologically relevant heterocyclic compounds and cellulose nano crystal-based environmental remediation projects.

During the work of my main project, I was able to uncover a new area of chemistry with electron-rich alkynes and azodicarboxylates chemistry in the synthesis of rare and interesting classes of N-heterocyclic compounds. This chemistry leads to convenient access to rare heterocyclic motifs known as diazacyclobutenes in high synthetic yields with a broad substrate scope. We are currently working on evaluating the biological activities of the N-heterocyclic compounds and small molecules derived from this Chemistry.

What encouraged you to pursue your research topic?

During the first couple of years of my graduate research career, my Boss; Dr. Whitehead gave me the first target to construct a four-membered N-heterocyclic system using azodicarboxylate as the nitrogen source. After one and a half years of continuous failures, I was able to come up with a new synthetic strategy to access this rare four-membered heterocyclic motif known as diazacyclobutenes.

Exploration of the initial synthetic strategy led me to develop more biologically relevant N-heterocyclic systems. Reading through a lot of literature, I came up with new ideas on designing new synthetic strategies and understanding the core idea of the research opened up this new area of the chemistry that I am currently working on.

What is the name of your current institute?

Clemson University.

Where do you find your best inspiration for your work?

My best inspiration is understanding what went wrong and the failures of my research with the basic principles of science and evaluating alternative options to make it work.

Can you share with us some of your publications?

Yes, you can find it by clicking this URL.

What’s one of your biggest personal achievements so far?

I was honoured as the outstanding graduate student researcher in chemistry for the academic year of 2018–2019 from the Department of chemistry, Clemson University. It was a great privilege for my research career and I am thankful for my advisor, my fellow colleagues, faculty, and staff of Clemson University for giving me this honour.

What lessons would you share with a budding researcher?

Doing what you like to do as an independent researcher, acquiring new skills and knowledge, talking science with your supervisor, colleagues while understanding what went wrong in your research experiments and how to come up with a better way to address it gave me self-motivation and drove me to the success of my research.

What motivated you to be a researcher?

The curiosity of the research is what actually motivated me to move forward as a researcher.

If there is a chance, will you help build research in Sri Lanka?

Definitely, I would be happy to give my best contribution to help build research in Sri Lanka.

According to your opinion, what are the changes that the Sri Lankan education system needs to do, in order to meet the requirements of the international industry and academia?

The Sri Lankan education system is focusing more on theoretical education. If the system can equally work on practical education while keeping theoretical academic education in the same standard, I believe the research areas in Sri Lanka will grow even better in new innovations. Also, since Sri Lanka has a great history and culture; I believe Sri Lanka needs to understand its own strengths and values in order to conduct authentic research while developing down the road.