Hemavaruni Fernando
PhD Candidate
Hemavaruni Fernando, originally from Sri Lanka, is a dedicated researcher and inventor in the realms of Food Science and Chemistry. Hemavaruni has expertise as an academic researcher, specialising in the isolation of phytochemicals from plant materials, green synthesis, and the characterization of metal nanoparticles. Her research involves determining the in vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities of isolated/synthesized bioactive compounds.
The focus of her PhD at CASS Food Research Centre is the extraction, isolation, purification and structure elucidation of essential oils from the volatile fraction of selected red and brown Southern Australian marine algae, with a focus on its cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activities.
Prior to commencing her PhD, Hemavaruni previously worked as the head of the Quality Assurance Department and Internal Auditor for FSSC 22000:2018 v5.1 at Sri Lanka’s premier food product manufacturing company.
Education and research background
Hemavaruni completed her Master of Philosophy in Chemistry (full-time research-based) at University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. She also has a BSc. Special in Food Science and Technology from the same university.
Publications
- Fernando, H.N., Kumarasinghe, U.R., Gunasekara, C.P., Wijekoon, S.K., Ekanayaka, A.K., Rajapaksha, S.P., Fernando, S.N. and Jayaweera, P.M., 2019. Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity of garcinol capped silver nanoparticles, Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, DOI:10.4014/jmb.1904.04032
- Fernando, H.N., Uthpala, T.G.G., Wettimuny, D.C., Hewawansa, U.H.A.J. and Navaratne, S.B., 2021. IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF BLACK COLOUR SPECK FUNGAL FORMATION IN VIRGIN COCONUT OIL. Carpathian Journal of Food Science & Technology, DOI: https://doi.org/10.34302/crpjfst/2021.13.2.10
- Uthpala, T.G.G., Fernando, H.N., Thibbotuwawa, A. and Jayasinghe, M., 2020. Importance of nutrigenomics and nutrigenetics in food Science. MOJ Food Processing & Technology, DOI: 10.15406/mojfpt.2020.08.00250
Research area and skills
Seaweed, GCMS, NMR, HPLC-NMR, Antimicrobial, Natural Products, Biological activity, Cytotoxicity, Organic Chemistry,