Meet Sri Lankan Researcher —Nimila Dushyantha
What are you currently working on or worked on before?
I am currently working on the extraction of rare earth elements (REEs) from Sri Lankan sources to cater to the ever-increasing global REE demand. In addition, I have worked in the fields of mining, mineral processing, geochemical explorations, and urban mining.
What encouraged you to pursue your research topic?
Rare earth elements (REEs) are considered as critical and strategic elements in high-tech applications and green energy applications in the modern world. Consequently, the global REE demand is escalating while REE availability is declining. Therefore, extraction of REEs from Sri Lankan sources will be a novel approach to cater to future REE demand which allows our country to contribute global REE supply chain and ultimately get the maximum benefit to the national economy.
What is the name of your current institute?
University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Where do you find your best inspiration for your work?
I have completed my MPhil with a good note and was able to publish my research outcomes in a top international journal in our field. It inspired me to carry out my Ph.D. research, current work, in an enthusiastic way.
Can you share with us some of your publications?
Yes. You can find it here.
Link 4, Link 5, Link 6
What’s one of your biggest personal achievements so far?
I was awarded first place in the poster presentations category in the 2nd International Mineral Symposium held on 20th October 2018 in Sri Lanka.
What motivated you to be a researcher?
Sri Lankan is well-endowed with valuable minerals such as graphite, apatite, rutile, and monazite. These resources can be utilized via mining and mineral processing operations to get the maximum outcomes for the mineral industry in Sri Lanka. Therefore, it is motivated me to become a researcher in this field, who can greatly contribute to the national economic development through R&D.
According to your opinion, what are the changes that the Sri Lankan education system needs to do, in order to meet the requirement of the international industry and academia?
Sri Lankan education system needs to shift towards more practical-based education and should produce good professionals for current industrial requirements. The quality of undergraduate research projects needs to be significantly improved to strive to achieve international standards.
Moreover, stages like Sustainable Education Foundation should be more established among undergraduate and postgraduate students where they can improve their research capabilities.
Given the chance, I will definitely help build research in Sri Lanka.
