Eshani Hettiarachchi, Ph.D.
Current Research
The chemistry at the aqueous geochemical interface is complex due to the presence of many different components including natural organic matter, coordinating oxyanions and biological molecules. In this project I study the adsorption and interactions of environmental DNA (eDNA) on geochemical interfaces, as well as their transformations, using vibrational spectroscopic and micro-spectroscopic probes.
Instruments & Techniques + Computational Skills
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Spectroscopic and Chromatographic Techniques:
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FTIR - ATR, Transmission
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O-PTIR-Raman
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HRMS
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GCMS
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UV-VIS
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UPLC
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FS
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ICP-MS
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NMR Spectroscopy
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AAS
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Microscopic Techniques:
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SEM-EDX
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TEM
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LM
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AFM-IR
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Other Technical Skills:
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CV
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Vibrating Sample Magnetometry (VSM),
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TGA
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XRD
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TOC
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BET-SAA
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Vacuum Systems and Solar Simulators,
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Inorganic Synthesis and Characterization
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Computational Skills
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Avogadro
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PHREEQC
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Geochemist’s Workbench
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Python
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QGIS
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Spartan
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MATLAB
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ImageJ, Origin, KGraph, Essential FTIR, ProcessEye, SpectraMagic NX, Adobe Package, MiniTab, Diamond, XCalibur, OMNIC, ShareLaTech
Study of heterogeneous and multi-phase reactions of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds with pollutant gases leading to the secondary organic aerosol formation on mineral dust surfaces, using FTIR spectroscopy, High Resolution Mass Spectrometry and Spartan Computational Calculations.
Postdoctoral Experience
Ph.D. Research
1
"Understanding the mineralogy dependent atmospheric processing of mineral dust aerosols and their impact on the growth of marine diatoms. Especially the presence of elevated Ti in mineral dust, either as internally mixed (FeTiO3), or as externally mixed (TiO2) in the presence of different acidic gas compositions and solar radiation can enhance the Fe solubility."
2
"Understanding the solubility of heavy metals in inhaled dust, and the possible health implications. Mining lands usually have higher heavy metal contamination (U, V, As) in the dust and smaller particles containing these heavy metals can be inhaled and dissolve in body fluids thereby causing health risks."
3
"Studying structurally and compositionally tuned metal organic frameworks for understanding their potential on selective gas adsorption. Use of such materials in emission points can selectively adsorb & store gases such as carbon dioxide."
Undergraduate Thesis Study
"Synthesis of activated coconut coir (ACC) via both chemical and heat treatment for desalination of hard water and seawater, and improving the regeneration conditions of the ACC for reuse."
"Uranium in mine dust could dissolve in human lungs"
~ACS News Service Weekly PressPac: December 05, 2018
NMT Founders Award 2020
“A Founders’ Award was created to honor the persons responsible for establishing the New Mexico School of Mines in Socorro in 1889, especially J. J. Baca and Ethan Eaton. The award is presented to the recipient of an advanced degree who has made an outstanding contribution to Tech through scholarship, research, and involvement in campus affairs.”