dr chathura wijerathne

Dr. W.D.C.C. Wijerathne 

Senior Lecturer Gr. II

Ph.D.in Numerical modelling and simulation of biological matter (Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia)
B.Sc. Hons in Chemical and Process Engineering (Peradeniya)
Email :chathura@uwu.ac.lk
Phone : +94 553559113

  • Numerical modelling of chemical systems and biological matter
  • Low-cost food processing equipment
  • Treatment of waste plastic and polyethylene

Rajapaksha, R.P.T.N., Wijerathne ,W.D.C.C. (2022). Investigating the potential of clay brick waste to be used as a raw material for rice husk ash-based bricks. Proceedings of the 8th International Research Conference of University of Moratuwa (MERCon 2022), 1-5


Thilakarathna, M.A.P.K., Wijerathne, W.D.C.C. (2022). Current Status and Challenges in Using Plant-Food Waste in the Cosmetic Industry- a Case study in the Sri Lankan Context. Proceedings of the SLIIT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ADVANCEMENTS IN SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES (SICASH 2022), 227-233


Rajapaksha, R.P.T.N., Wijerathne, W.D.C.C. (2022). USE OF AGRO-WASTE FOR MASONRY UNIT CONSTRUCTION IN SRI LANKA: A MINI-REVIEW. Proceedings of the International Research Symposium 2022, University of Vocational Technology, Sri Lanka, 1, 104-112


Beneraj, R.., Wijerathne, W.D.C.C., Ekanayake, R.M.T.C.B., Vidanapathirana, A.C. (2022). Development and Characterization of an Automated Coconut Husk Chips Drying Machine. Proceedings of the International Research Symposium 2022, University of Vocational Technology, Sri Lanka, 1, 52-60


Wijerathne W.D.C.C., Samaraweera R.L. (2022). Application of the Student-led Classroom Technique for Third-year Bachelor of Technology (BTech) Undergraduates: A Study on a Small Classroom. Proceedings of the 2nd International Research Symposium 2022, Faculty of Education, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, 1, 262-272


Adiletta, G., Wijerathne W.D.C.C., Senadeera, W., Russo, P., Di Matteo, M. (2022). Micro structural approach of potato and pumpkin drying and rehydration. Indian Journal of Engineering, 51, 166-172


Batuwatta-Gamage, C.P., Rathnayaka, C.M., Karunasena, H.C.P., Wijerathne, W.D.C.C., Karim, M.A., Gu, Y.T. (2022). Physics-informed neural network for increasing prediction accuracy of microscale variations of single plant cell during drying. Proceedings of the 15th World Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM) and the 8th Asian Pacific Congress on Computational Mechanics (APCOM)


Batuwatta-Gamage, C.P., Rathnayaka, C.M., Karunasena, H.C.P., Wijerathne, W.D.C.C., Jeong, H., Welsh, Z.G., Karim, M.A., Gu, Y.T. (2022). A physics-informed neural network-based surrogate framework to predict moisture concentration and shrinkage of a plant cell during drying. Journal of Food Engineering, 111137


Rajapaksha, R.P.T.N., Wijerathne W.D.C.C. (2021). Investigating the potential of clay brick waste to be used as a raw material for rice husk ash-based bricks. Abstract presented at the 5th International Research Conference of Uva Wellassa University (IRCUWU 2021), Badulla, Sri Lanka


Rathnayaka, C.M., Karunasena H.C.P., Wijerathne W.D.C.C., Senadeera, W., Gu, Y.T. (2020). A three-dimensional (3-D) meshfree-based computational model to investigate stress-strain-time relationships of plant cells during drying. Plos One, 15 (7), e0235712


Wijerathne, W.D.C.C., Rathnayaka, C.M., Karunasena, H.C.P., Senadeera, W., Turner I.W., Sauret, E., Gu, Y.T. (2019), A coarse-grained multiscale model to simulate morphological changes of food-plant tissues undergoing drying, Soft Matter, 15(5), pp. 901-916


Adiletta, G., Wijerathne W.D.C.C., Senadeera, W., Russo, P., Cresciteli, A., Di Matteo, M. (2018), Dehydration and rehydration characteristics of pre-treated pumpkin slices, Italian Journal of Food Science, 30(4), pp. 684-706


C.M. Rathnayaka Mudiyanselage., Wijerathne, W.D.C.C., Karunasena, H.C.P., Senadeera, W., Gu, Y.T. (2017), Microscale and multiscale computational modelling of morphological changes in plant cellular structure during drying with a coupled smoothed particle hydrodynamics and coarse grained approach, In Liu, Moubin , Han, Xu , Gu, YuanTong, & Li, Zirui (Eds.) Advances in Computational Engineering Science. Scientech Publisher llc, USA, Mason, Ohio, pp. 1-10


Wijerathne, W.D.C.C., Turner, I.W., Sauret, E., Karunasena, H.C.P., Senadeera, W., Gu, Y.T. (2018). A coarse grained multiscale model to simulate morphological changes of the apple parenchyma tissues during drying. Abstract presented at the 3rd Australasian Conference on Computational Mechanics (ACCM 2018), Deakin, Melbourne, Australia


Wijerathne, W.D.C.C., Turner, I.W., Sauret, E., Karunasena, H.C.P., Senadeera, W., Gu, Y.T. (2017). A multiscale coarse-grained model for simulating mechanical responses of plant food tissues. Abstract presented at the 8th International Conference on Computational Methods (ICCM 2017), Guangxi, China


Wijerathne, W.D.C.C., Thevamaran, R., Walgama, K.S., Shanthini, R (2014). Reviving the traditional virgin gingerly oil (VGO) production (‘Sekku’) technology using solar power, Abstract presented at the Wayamba International Conference (WinC 2014), Kuliyapitiya, Sri Lanka


Ongoing research and projects:

A novel photo degradation method for low density polyethylene

A novel numerical model to predict morphological changes of plant-based dried foods during rehydration

Visiting Lecturer – Department of Biosystems Technology, Faculty of Technology, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (May 2022 – to date)


Senior Lecturer – Department of Science and Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka (Aug 2021 – to date)


Lecturer – Department of Science and Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka (Aug 2019 – Aug 2021)


Visiting Lecturer – Department of Biosystems Technology, Faculty of Technological Studies, Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka (Jan 2020 – to date)


Lecturer (Unconfirmed) – Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka (August 2019 to date)


Visiting Researcher – Queensland University of Technology, Australia (May 2019 to date)


Faculty Write-up Scholar – Queensland University of Technology, Australia (March 2019 to May 2019)


PhD Scholar/ Sessional Academic – Queensland University of Technology, Australia (June 2015 to February 2019)


Group Leader – IESL accreditation process of Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Peradeniya (Feb 2015 – Jun 2015)


Temporary Demonstrator – University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (August 2013 to June 2015)


Trainee Engineer- Holcim (Lanka) Ltd, Sri Lanka (June 2012- November 2012)


Trainee Engineer – Kahawatte Plantations PLC, Sri Lanka (May 2011- August 2011)



University Appoinments


Faculty Quality Assurance Coordinator – Faculty of Applied Sciences, Uva Wellassa University (Jan 2022 – to date)


Awarding Ceremony Coordinator – UWU EXPO 2022 Exhibition, Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka (Jul 2022 – Oct 2022)


Track Coordinator – Materials and Minerals Sciences, IRCUWU 2022 conference (Jan 2022 – Jul 2022)


Industrial Training Coordinator – Department of Science and Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Uva Wellassa University (Dec 2020 – Aug 2021)


Conference Proceedings Coordinator – IRCUWU 2021 conference, Uva Wellassa University (Jan 2021 – Jul 2021)


Track Coordinator – Materials and Minerals Sciences, IRCUWU 2021 conference (Jan 2021 – Jul 2021)


Track Chair – Materials and Minerals Sciences track, IRCUWU 2020 conference, Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka (July 2020)


Group Leader for Criterion 2 – Programme Review Process for Depts of Science and Technology and Dept. of Applied Earth Sciences (Jan 2020 – Jun 2022)


Activity 1 and 2 Coordinator – AHEAD ELTA-ELSE DP Department Grant of the Dept. of Science and Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Uva Wellassa University (Feb 2020 – to date)


Member – Stakeholder meetings for BSc in Science and Technology programmes, Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka (2020)


Member – Stakeholder meetings for BTech in Biosystems Technology programme, Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka (2020)


Faculty Board Member – Faculty of Applied Sciences, Uva Wellassa University (Aug 2019 – to date)



Other Aappoinments


Evaluation Panel Member – FAuRS Research Symposium, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (2022))


Reviewer – Ceylon Journal of Applied Sciences, Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka (2022 – to date))


Reviewer – IRCUWU 2022 conference, Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka (2022))


Reviewer – MERCON 2021 conference, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka (2021))


Reviewer – IRCUWU 2021 conference, Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka (2021))


Reviewer – MPhil proposals, Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka (2021))


Reviewer – MPhil proposals, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (2021))


Editor-in-Chief – Polymetamics Magazine, an annual magazine published by the Department of Science and Technology, Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka (2020 – to date))


Reviewer – Voyage 2020 conference, Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (2020))


UWU Research Awards for the publication in Indexed Journals in the year 2020 (awarded by Uva Wellassa University; 2022)


Tier 2 Researcher (awarded by Uva Wellassa University; 2022)


Best Paper Award in the Chemical Engineering Track at MERCon 2022 International Conference (awarded by University og Moratuwa; 2022)


Best Presenter, Best Portfolio and Best Overall Performer awards at the 9th CTHE (Certificate Course in Teaching in Higher Education) Programme (awarded by Uva Wellassa University; 2021)


Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Award – Executive Dean’s Commendation (awarded by the Queensland University of Technology; 2020)


Nominated for Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Award, Queensland University of Technology (2019)


Recipient of FWU scholarship, Queensland University of Technology (2019)


Recipient of QUTPRA scholarship to pursue doctoral studies, Queensland University of Technology (2015-2019)


Recipient of QUT HDR Tuition fee sponsorship, Queensland University of Technology (2015-2018)


Recipient of S. Mahalingam Prize for Best performance in Mechanics of Machines, University of Peradeniya (2013)


Nominated for E.O.E. Pereira Award for the outstanding student of the graduating batch, University of Peradeniya (2013)


Recipient of the second place at Migara Ratnatunga Trust Award for Industrial Training, The Institute of Engineers, Sri Lanka (2013)


Recipient of the Mahapola scholarship to pursue undergraduate studies, Ministry of Higher education, Sri Lanka (2009-2013)


Nominated for Mathematics Olympiad in Sri Lanka based on the GCE A/L results, Ministry of Higher education, Sri Lanka (2009)


  • BSc and BTech in Materials Science and Technology Programme
    1. SCT 351-2   Computational Chemistry
    2. SCT 443-2 Metallurgy
    3. SCT 441-1 Chemical Engineering Science
    4. SCT 451-2 Strength of Materials
    5. SCT 454-2 Multiscale Modeling Techniques

  • BSc and BTech in Mineral Resources and Technology Programme
    1. MRT 417-2 Extractive Metallurgy

  • BSc and BTech in Food Engineering and Bioprocess Technology Programme
    1. SCT 313-2 Engineering Properties of Bio-based Materials
    2. SCT 315-2 Food Analysis
    3. SCT 334-2 Food Process Engineering and Modeling
    4. SCT 427-1 Sensory Evaluation
    5. SCT 423-2 Food Equipment Design and Fabrication
    6. SCT 443-2 Metallurgy

  • BTech in Biosystems Technology Programme
    1. BBST 231-1 Fundamentals of Biosystems Technology
    2. IBT 304-2 Process Design and Optimization
    3. BST 352-2 / BBST 498-2 Utilization of Biosystems in Waste Management

  • BTech in Biosystems Technology Programme – Rajarata University
      BPT 2206 Bioreactor Operation and Design