Dr. Hasitha Weeratunge | Natural Products Chemistry Award | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Hasitha Weeratunge, Industrial Technology Institute (ITI), Sri Lanka

🌿 Dr. Hasitha Weeratunge is a Senior Research Scientist at Sri Lanka’s Industrial Technology Institute, with over 18 years of expertise in natural products chemistry. Specializing in herbal and spice extraction techniques, chromatography, and spectroscopy, he has contributed to diverse areas including mycotoxin analysis, cosmetics development, and essential oil standardization. With patents, publications, and extensive teaching experience at universities, he’s a key figure in Sri Lanka’s scientific community. Dr. Weeratunge also plays roles in quality systems implementation, technical committees, and nutraceutical research, showcasing his versatile contributions to science and industry. 🧪📚

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Work Experience

Senior Research Scientist at Industrial Technology Institute (CISIR), Colombo 7, Sri Lanka since January 2009.

Visiting Lecturer at various universities in Sri Lanka, including University of Ruhuna, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and Institute of Chemistry, Ceylon.

Previous experience includes positions as a Management Trainee at Saraa Os Leather Pvt Ltd and Teaching Assistant at the University of Colombo.

Educational Qualifications

Ph.D. in Natural Products Chemistry from the University of Colombo (2014 – 2021)

MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MPS) from the University of Greenwich at Medway, UK (2005 – 2007)

BSc in Chemistry from the University of Colombo (2001 – 2004)

Graduate in Chemistry from Institute of Chemistry, Ceylon (2000 – 2003)

Awards

Author of numerous research publications, gene bank publications, and patents in the field of natural products chemistry.

Received awards and appreciation for academic and scientific excellence, including achievement awards and best oral presentations at research symposiums.

Presented research communications both internationally and locally at various conferences and symposiums.

Research Focus

🔬 Dr. Hasitha Weeratunge’s research primarily focuses on the exploration of natural products, particularly in the realm of medicinal plants and spices native to Sri Lanka. His expertise spans the isolation, analysis, and pharmacological evaluation of bioactive compounds found in plants like Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Ceylon cinnamon), Syzygium caryophyllatum, and Zingiber zerumbet. With a keen interest in the potential pharmaceutical applications of these natural substances, Dr. Weeratunge’s work contributes significantly to the understanding of their therapeutic properties, particularly in areas such as diabetes management and inflammation modulation. His research underscores the rich pharmacological potential of Sri Lankan botanical resources. 🌱🧪