GJ

Gehan Jayasuriya

Also known as: K.M.G. Gehan Jayasuriya

University of Peradeniya, Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, University of Kentucky, University of Peradeniya Faculty of Science

Research areas: Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Plant Science · Seed Germination and Physiology · Plant Parasitism and Resistance · Botany and Plant Ecology Studies

ORCID iD 0000-0001-6518-7951
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About

My primary vision is to assist the biodiversity conservation of Sri Lanka by developing the necessary knowledge and creating awareness among people, especially among students.

Thus, my major research interest is to study the seed biology of ecologically and economically important native species. I have identified traditional crops, crop wild relatives, species in IUCN threatened categories and medicinal plants as economically and ecologically significant species that needed our attention. These species have to be conserved to gain their ecological and economic services continually. Thus, I study the seed biology of these species assisting their in-situ and ex-situ conservation. Some of my studies focused on developing environmentally friendly methods to improve the seed quality of traditional crop species. Moreover, research on medicinal plants not only focused on developing propagation protocols but also on developing their plant architecture to use them as ornamental species. Thus, these species will have a demand as ornamental plants and thus, will be popular among people, ensuring their conservation.

I developed my career through the skills and knowledge I obtained especially during my B.Sc. and Ph.D. studies. I completed my B.Sc. degree with a first-class honours degree from the Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. during my undergraduate degree, I was fortunate to get an opportunity to work on seed biology of Sri Lankan dry zone forest species which develop my interest in seed biology. I was fortunate also to secure a position at the University of Kentucky, USA to do my Ph.D. under the mentorship of two world-renowned seed biologists, Profs. Jerry and Carol Baskins. Through the Ph.D. study, I polished up my skills in seed biology which allowed me to develop seed biology research in Sri Lanka.

Currently, I am serving as a Professor in Botany in the Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. I bare the responsibilities of teaching undergraduate courses in B.Sc. degree programmes offered by the Faculty of Science. Further, I have to conduct research and participate in faculty administrative activities. Thus, currently, I am the Head of the Department of Botany administrating the academic work of the Department.

Further, I also worked as a visiting lecturer at the Postgraduate Institute of Science (PGIS), University of Peradeniya, the postgraduate arm of the Faculty of Science. In the PGIS, I am involved in teaching M.Sc. programmes and mentoring M.Sc. M.Phil. and Ph.D. students in their research projects. Up to now, I have mentored three Ph.D. students and > 20 M.Sc. students. Currently, there are one Ph.D. and one M.Phil. student working in my laboratory.

As my national contribution, I worked on various committees including the National Experts Committee on Mangrove Biodiversity Conservation. Further, I provide my expertise on various National level projects in biodiversity conservation.

Employment

  • University of Peradeniya Professor
    2017 - Present
  • Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya Visiting Lecturer
    2009 - Present
  • University of Peradeniya Faculty of Science Senior Lecturer
    2009 - 2017

Education

  • University of Kentucky Ph.D.
    2005 - 2008
  • University of Peradeniya Faculty of Science B.Sc. (Botany Special)
    1999 - 2003

Projects & Funding

  • Seed Storage Behaviour of Fifty Keystone Species from Tropical Lowland Rain Forests of Sri Lanka National Research Council Sri Lanka
    2017 - 2020
  • Seed Biology of Twenty Five Selected Tropical True Mangrove or Mangrove Associate Species of Sri Lanka, towards Restoration of Degraded Mangrove Systems. National Science Foundation Of Sri Lanka
    2012 - 2015
  • Dormancy and germination requirements of seeds of some dominant mountain forest species in Sri Lanka, and possible effects of climate change National Research Council Sri Lanka
    2011 - 2015

Publications (76)