Meet Sri Lankan Researcher — Sachini Kadaoluwa Pathirannahalage

What are you currently working on or worked on before?

I’m working on understanding ionic liquids, tailorable solvents, using a whole host of experimental and computational methods. We want to understand these novel solvents at a fundamental level before we start using them for applications such as biomolecule preservation. I am currently working with RMIT University & ENS de Lyon.

You can find my publications here.

What encouraged you to pursue your research topic?

I first encountered ionic liquids during undergraduate research placements. The research community for ionic liquids was so warm and welcoming and I knew it was the right fit for me. I decided to pursue a Ph.D. in the same field because I knew I would enjoy my time during it.

I was always inspired by the passion of everyone in research. The dedication and hard work every researcher puts into their work are amazing. I also want to do my bit so we continue building up the puzzle that is a science with my respected peers.

What lessons would you share with a budding researcher?

Finding a great project is important but in my opinion, it’s more important to find people you work well with. Take every opportunity to talk to people you’re interested in working with and talk to their students. You will spend a large part of your life working with them and it is important that you can get along.

What motivated you to be a researcher?

I have always been a curious person and I loved learning science in high school. So it made sense to pursue a science degree. When I started meeting scientists and seeing how much fun they were having, I wanted to join them in the ranks as a research student.

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?

My experience in the Sri Lankan education system was brief but from what I recall, there was a big emphasis on regurgitating information than truly learning and appreciating material. Problem-solving skills required in research involve a lot more than being able to memorize equations. There should be more emphasis on the soft skills and creativity required to succeed in a research career.