China Sri Lanka Joint Research and Demonstration Centre (JRDC) for Water Technology, Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply - Sri Lanka
Dr. Wasana Gunawardana is an environmental scientist with a strong academic Biology and research background in environmental studies and bioscience. Her work focuses on microbial ecology in wastewater systems, with particular emphasis on understanding bacterial population dynamics in sludge and treated wastewater using molecular techniques. She has extensive laboratory expertise in DNA-based methods, including polymerase chain reaction, DNA extraction and purification, and microbial analysis, along with practical experience in water quality assessment for both wastewater and drinking water systems. Her research also explores sustainable solid waste management, biological pre-treatment of municipal waste, and the ecological role of extracellular bacterial DNA in aquatic environments. Additionally, she investigates challenges related to intermittent water supply systems and the formation of biofilms in drinking water, aiming to improve water quality and public health outcomes. She has contributed to academic teaching as a visiting lecturer, sharing knowledge on wastewater management with undergraduate students. Her involvement in research projects includes leading and collaborating on funded studies, as well as supervising undergraduate research across multiple universities. Her work reflects a commitment to advancing cost-effective and practical environmental solutions.