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About Me.

"The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing"

    ~ Stephan R. Covey

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Hello and Welcome !

 

My name is Eshani Hettiarachchi, and I'm a working professional/ a scientist by profession. The scientist me is passionate about understanding various environmental processes that matters to the well-being of nature and everyone in it including humans.

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The Arts feature Ceylon Painter, a collective of some leisure-time activities I so passionately dwell in after a busy day at work. I love creating both digital and traditional art and getting bathed in all the colorful paints. Ceylon Painter features some of my pieces. 

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Staff Research Scientist | Lab Manager - 2023 - Present

University of California, San Diego

Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

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Postdoctoral Scholar, 2020 - 2023

University of California, San Diego

Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry - Grassian Group

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Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant, 2016 - 2020

New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology

Department of Chemistry

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Temporary Academic Staff, 2015

University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Department of Chemistry

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Freelancer Designer, 2014-2015

www. Fiverr.com

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Trainee Chemist, 2014 (Jan - Feb)

Hemas Manufacturing, Sri Lanka

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Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry, 2020

New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology, USA

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B.Sc. Specials in Chemistry (Minors is Geology, Molecular Biology & Biochemistry), 2015

University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

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BTEC in Computer Science (Multimedia & Graphics Designing), 2011

Joint Diploma from IDM Affiliated University College, Sri Lanka and the Edexcel UK, London, UK

Hobbies & Volunteering

  • Co-Host of the podcast series "iScholar Dive with Hoang & Eshani", catered toward the international students and scholars in the US. (2023 - Present)

  • Actively work as the Greenlab contact person for the Grassian Research Group (2021 – present)

    • Working with my team to become more sustainable researchers while maintaining the research productivity.​

    • Communicating to the wider audiences via panel discussions and discussion talks/ sessions (e.g., ACS SA UCSD)

  • English in Action Discussion Leader (2021 - Present)- The English in Action (EIA) program of the UCSD International programs is designed to help adjust new incoming international students to the culture of the United States. The program is also dedicated to helping students improve their English language skills.  â€‹

  • Scripps Community Outreach for Public Education (2020 - 2023) - Scripps Community Outreach for Public Education (SCOPE) is a student-led, volunteer-driven, outreach program that connects graduate students and researchers directly with the general public. 

    • School visits to under-privileged areas​

    • Meet and Greet science discussions with students, and teachers

    • Creating videos on research topics​

  • Marketing and Communication Co-Vice Chair (2021-2023) and a volunteer for the UCSD Postdoctoral Association (PDA) Career Symposium Organizing Committee 2021

  • Outreach activities with Postdoctoral Association (PDA) - Outreach group of PDA is a postdoc-led program dedicated to promote STEM among young school children.

  • Co-organize and Co-lead Bookworms at UCSD, a book club for UCSD affiliates (2022 – 2023)

  • Have served as a hiring committee member for UCSD EH&S, for EH&S specialist position

  • Environmental Science group coordinator and website maintainer for US-Sri Lanka Academic and Research Collaboration Network, the largest body of US-based scholars of Sri Lankan Diaspora, aiming to strengthen US-Sri Lanka scholastic relationships (2021 – 2022)

  • UCSD Scientific board game designing group - The UCSD Scientific board game designing group is focused on designing board games for educational purposes. The board game designs are focused on STEM subjects and at all ages up to the college level. â€‹

  • Volunteering for technical sessions at scientific conferences​

    • Moderator for the ACS Spring Meeting, San Diego 2022

    • Moderator for the SRC (Summer Research Conference at UCSD) in 2020 & 2021

    • An academic judge for ACS-SA Undergraduate Research Symposium 2021, UC LEADS Research Symposium, 2022

    • Environmental Chemistry judge for Eastern US Younger Chemist Committee Virtual Research Symposium, 2021

    • Judge for NM Science Fiesta

    • Judge for NM Science Fair

    • Event Supervisor for NM Science Olympiad

    • Discussion Leader at ACS – Fall Meeting 2019 Graduate School Experience Workshop

  • Participant of Community Events organized by Keep New Mexico True

  • American Association for University Women - The American Association of University Women (AAUW), officially founded in 1881,[1] is a non-profit organization that advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research

    •  Website Task Force of AAUW Socorro chapter (Content Editor) – (2020 – 2022)

    • AAUW Tech Trek in 2018 & 2019,

  • Volunteered at ACS Chemistry Week Events at NMT, Chemistry Outreach Activities, NM Science Week by conducting the flame test experiments.

  • Graduate Students Association (GSA) at NMT​​

    • Information Officer, who maintains the GSA website and social media

    • Travel Grants Reviewer for GSA Travel Grants from 2016 – 2019 

    • Other GSA sponsored events (Annual Thanksgiving Dinner, Graduate Student Symposium, 49ers Float, BBQ events).

  • Through Caving club, have helped BLM (Bureau of Land Management) in surveying new caves, restoration of caves, and cave trail markings within New Mexico.

  • Actively involved in New Mexico Tech International Office & Auxiliary Services Office organized COVID-19 relief programs such as food drives, fundraisers, and relocating on-campus dormitory students to apartments, working with graduate collage as a student tester for various needs that arose due to the COVID-19 closures, and involved in Socorro, NM community COVID-19 relief programs that supported the most affected Socorro families from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Memberships & Positions

  • Marketing and Communication Co-Vice Chair for Postdoctoral Association, UC San Diego - 2021 to 2023

  • Coordinator of the Lab for the Green Lab Program of UC San Diego - Since 2020

  • Information Officer for Graduate Students Association, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology – 2018/2019 & 2019/2020 (Ended in Jan 2020)

  • Co-founder and a member of the New Mexico Tech Book Club – 2019

  • Secretory and a Trip Leader for New Mexico Tech Cavers Club – 2017 to 2020 May

  • Member of AAUW (American Association of University Women) Socorro Chapter – 2017 to present – Volunteered at AAUW Tech Trek in 2018 & 2019

  • Participating member of New Mexico Tech Chem Club – 2017 to 2020

  • Representative and a Member of University Chemistry Society and Geological Society of University of Peradeniya – 2010 to 2015

  • President and a Representative of School CHESS Club, Mayurapaada College, Narammala, Sri Lanka – 2008/ 2009

  • Grade Representative of School Science Society, Mayurapaada College, Narammala, Sri Lanka – 2008/ 2009

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