About Me

About me

I grew up in Sri Lanka, a tropical island in the Indian ocean, which is also part of a biodiversity hotspot. I have been fascinated by nature and, since my childhood exploited every opportunity to which my curiosity drove me, to investigate the natural world around me. Following my passion, I took a bachelor’s degree in zoology at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. I completed my Master's degree at the same university. My doctoral thesis at University of Bern, Switzerland and the Naturhistorisches Museum Bern, Switzerland focused on understanding the genomic consequences of miniaturization in the zebrafish relatives.

Currently, I am a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Switzerland.

My research interests are broadly in evolutionary biology, genomics, phylogenetics and systematics, conservation genetics, biological invasions, biogeography, and ichthyology.

Aside from science, I love hiking, snorkeling, photography, and rugby.

Education
University of Bern (Switzerland) 2021-2026
PhD Doctor of Philosophy
Dissertation: Phylogenomics and the genomic signatures of miniaturization in Cypriniformes, the most diverse order of freshwater fishes

University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka) 2017-2019
M.Phil. Master of Philosophy
Dissertation: Systematics and phylogenetic relationships of the family Cyprinidae: Danioninae in Sri Lanka

University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka)
BSc Zoology (Hons) 2013-2016
Dissertation: A taxonomic review of the catfish genus Ompok (Teleostei: Siluridae) in Sri Lanka