1. Experimental Data Analysis in Biological and Chemical Research with Analytical Method Validation (2021), conducted by Industrial Technology Institute, Sri Lanka.
2. Basic Statistics for Managers and Researchers (2020) - A five-day workshop conducted by the Institute of Applied Statistics Sri Lanka (IASSL).
3. Auditor Training Programme on Certification of Educational Programmes (2020) organized by the National Biotechnology Association (NBIA) in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Coordinating Secretariat for Science Technology and Innovation (COSTI), Ministry of Higher Education, Technology & Innovation, Sri Lanka.
4. Assessor Training Course for Laboratory Accreditation on ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (2018) conducted by the Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment (SLAB)
5. Consultant Development Training Programme on 1SO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems (2017), Conducted by the National Cleaner Production Centre, Sri Lanka.
6. Enabling Intellectual Property Environment (EIE Project) - National Workshop on IP Management and Technology Commercialization for Technology Managers (2017), Colombo, Sri Lanka.
7. EIE Project - Workshop on Institutional Intellectual Property PolicyDrafting (2017), Colombo, Sri Lanka.
8. National PatentDrafting Course for Hub and Spokes institutions of the IP Hub Project, (2017), Colombo, Sri Lanka.
9. Ecological Risk Assessment for Metals and Metal Compounds (2016) conducted by Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Singapore.
10. Introduction to Modern Ecological Risk Assessment (2016) conducted by Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Singapore.
11. Uncertainty Estimation in Measurement Science (2015), conducted by Measurement Units Standards and Services Department (MUSSD, National Metrology Institute) in Sri Lanka and TrainMiC®, European Commission-Joint Research Centre.
12. Assessor Training Course for Product Certification Bodies on ISO/IEC 17065 (2014) conducted by Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment (SLAB).
13. Training Course for Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) (2013) conducted National Accreditation Testing Authority (NATA) Australia and organized by Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment (SLAB).
14. Curriculum Development process and student entered teaching /learning and assessment methods (2013), organized by World Bank Quality and Innovation Grant (QIG- Window 2) –ENCM Study Programme, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya.
15. Patent Drafting (Online training) (2013), conducted by the National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka, in association with World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Geneva, Switzerland.
16. Patent drafting training (2013), conducted by the National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka, in association with World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Geneva, Switzerland.
17. Assessor Training Course for Laboratory Accreditation on ISO/IEC 17025:2005 (2012) conducted by the Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment (SLAB).
18. Cleaner Production - refresher training for University Academics, (2011) - National Cleaner Production Centre, Sri Lanka
19. Staff Development Training for Probationary Lectureres (2011), Staff Development Centre, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
20. Maximizing Your Career, e- Grad School, Australian Technology Network (ATN-LEAP), (2009), Adelaide, Australia
21. Project Management -Australian Technology Network -Learning Employment Aptitudes Program (ATN-LEAP), (2008), Adelaide, Australia
22. Research & Commercialization-Australian Technology Network -Learning Employment Aptitudes Program (ATN-LEAP), (2007), Adelaide,  Australia
23. Cleaner Production Capcity building among University Academics (2006),  National Cleaner Production Centre, Sri Lanka        
24. Scientific Data Processing and Evaluation, Exploiting the Hidden Powers of Spread Sheets. (2005) Conducted by Carleton University, Canada & University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

• Basic Microbiology
• Microbial Taxonomy (Bacterial Taxonomy, Eukaryotic Diversity)
• Environmental Microbiology
• Soil Microbiology
• Microbial Biochemistry & Physiology
• Environmental Biotechnology
• Industrial Microbiology

• M.Sc. (Applied Microbiology) - Environmental Biotechnology

1. Head of the Department, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka (Mar 2022 – to date)
2. Director – Technology and Innovation Support Centre, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka (June 2021 – to date)
3. Team member, The World Bank funded Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development (AHEAD) Enriching Learning, Teaching Assessment and English Language Skills Enhancement Development Project (ELTA-ELSE DPs) Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, (2019 – to date)
4. Person-in-Charge of Activity 2 (Accreditation) of the World Bank funded Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development (AHEAD), Development Oriented Research (DOR) Grants, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya (2019 – to date)
5. Student Counsellor, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya (Academic Years 2011/2012, 2012/2013, and 2013/2014)
6. Person-in-Charge of Activity 2 (Biological Sciences) of the World Bank-funded Higher Education for the Twenty-first Century, Quality Innovation Grants (HETC- QIG) - Window 4, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya (2013-2015)
7. Trainee Assessor (Microbiology)- Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment (SLAB), Sri Lanka (May 2012 – Oct 2014)

• Technical Assessor (Biological Testing) as per ISO/IEC 17025- Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment (SLAB), Sri Lanka (Oct 2014 – to date)

• Member of the Biosystems Technology Accreditation Panel (for the Accreditation of Biosystems Technology Degree programmes in Sri Lankan Universities) in the National Biotechnology Industry Association Accreditation Board, Sri Lanka (2019 - to date).

 Member of the Editorial Board:

• Journal of Science, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka (2012 – to date).

• Nepal Journal of Biotechnology (June 2020 – to date).
• International Conference for Applied and Pure Sciences (ICAPS 2020)
• International Symposium on Pure and Applied Science -2018
• Gloria Scientiam, 50^th Anniversary of the Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Commemorative Publication (2017)

 Reviewer:

• Science Citation Indexed Journals
  • Journal of Applied Phycology – (2022)
  • Journal of Environmental Science and Health – Part A (2020)
  • Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
  • European Journal of Integrative Medicine (2018)
  • Journal of National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka (2017)
  • Chemosphere (2016)

• Other peer reviewed journals

• International Conferences

• Peradeniya University International Research Sessions (iPURSE 2021)
• International Conference for Applied and Pure Sciences (ICAPS 2021)
• International Conference on Environmental Governance 2021 (ICEG 2021)
• International Conference for Applied and Pure Sciences (ICAPS 2020)
• 12^th International Research Conference, General Sir John Kothalawala Defence University – 2020
• Moratuwa Engineering Research Conference (MERCon’19)
• 5^th Ruhuna International Science and Technology Conference – 2018
• National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) Scientific Sessions – 2017
• International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences (IRSPAS-2017)
• International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences (IRSPAS-2016)
• Institute of Biology Annual Research Sessions -2015, 2016

 
Track Coordinator/ Chair

• Multidisciplinary Research Track, International Conference on Applied and Pure Sciences (ICAPS 2021), Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya
• Faculty Coordinator, Faculty of Science, International Postgraduate Research Conference (IPRC - (2017), Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya

• Environmental microbiology
• Environmental remediation and risk assessment
• Microbial Biosensors
• Ecotoxicology
• Contaminant- microbe interactions (inorganic / organic)
• Bioavailability of contaminants
• Aeromicrobiology
• Microbial diversity in extreme environments

Peer-reviewed journal publications (in refereed journals)          

1. Aththanayake, A.M.K.C.B., Rathnayake, I.V.N., Deeyamulla, M.P. and Megharaj, M., 2022. Potential use of Chlorella vulgaris KCBAL01 from a freshwater stream receiving treated textile effluent in hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)] removal in extremely acidic conditions. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A, pp.1-9.
2. Rathnayake, I.V.N., Megharaj, M. and Naidu, R., 2021. Green fluorescent protein-based whole-cell bacterial biosensor for the detection of bioavailable heavy metals in the soil environment. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 23, p.101785.
3. Rathnayake, I.V.N., Megharaj, M., Beer, M. and Naidu, R., 2021. Medium composition affects the heavy metal tolerance of microalgae: a comparison. Journal of Applied Phycology, 33(6), pp.3683-3695.
4. Arambawatta-Lekamge, S.H., Pathiratne, A. and Rathnayake, I.V.N., 2021. Sensitivity of freshwater organisms to cadmium and copper at tropical temperature exposures: Derivation of tropical freshwater ecotoxicity thresholds using species sensitivity distribution analysis. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 211, p.111891.
5. Rathnayake, I.V.N., Munagamage, T., Pathirathne, A. and Megharaj, M., 2021. Whole-cell microalgal-cyanobacterial array biosensor for monitoring Cd, Cr and Zn in aquatic systems. Water Science and Technology, 84(7), pp.1579-1593.
6. Gunasinghe, Y.H.K.I.S., Rathnayake, I.V.N. and Deeyamulla, M.P., 2021. Plant and Plant Associated Microflora: Potential Bioremediation Option of Indoor Air Pollutants. Nepal Journal of Biotechnology, 9(1), pp.63-74.
7. Kenneth M.Y. Leung, Katie W.Y. Yeung, Jing You, Kyungho Choi, Xiaowei Zhang, Ross Smith, Guang-Jie Zhou, Mana M.N. Yung, Carlos Arias-Barreiro, Youn-Joo An,  Rebekah Burket, Robert Dwyer, Nathalie Goodkin, Yii Siang Hii, Tham Hoang, Chris Humphrey, Chuleemas Boonthai Iwai, Seung-Woo Jeong, Guillaume Juhel, Ali Karami, Katerina Kyriazi-Huber, Kuan-Chun Lee, Bin-Le Lin, Ben Lu, Patrick Martin, Mae Grace Nillos, Katharina Oginawati, I.V.N. Rathnayake,Yenny Risjani, Mohammad Shoeb, Chin Hon Tan, Maria Claret Tsuchiya, Gerald T. Ankley, Alistair B.A. Boxall, Murray A. Rudd, Bryan W. Brooks (2020). Toward sustainable environmental quality: Priority research questions for Asia. Environmental toxicology and chemistry, 39(8), pp.1485-1505.
8. Munagamage, T., Rathnayake, I.V.N., Pathiratne, A. and Megharaj, M., 2020. Comparison of Sensitivity of Tropical Freshwater Microalgae to Environmentally Relevant Concentrations of Cadmium and Hexavalent Chromium in Three Types of Growth Media. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 105(3), pp.397-404.
9. Dissanayaka, D.M.S. and Rathnayake, I.V.N., 2019. Effect of temperature, pH, carbon and nitrogen sources on extracellular protease production by four Geobacillus species isolated from Maha Oya geothermal springs in Sri Lanka. Appli Microbiol Open Access, 5, p.160.
10. Munagamage, T., Rathnayake, I.V.N., Pathiratne, A. and Megharaj, M., 2016. Sensitivity of four cyanobacterial isolates from tropical freshwaters to environmentally realistic concentrations of Cr 6+, Cd 2+ and Zn 2+. Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology, 96(6), pp.816-821.
11. Rathnayake, I.V.N., Megharaj, M., Krishnamurti, G.S.R., Bolan, N.S. and Naidu, R., 2013. Heavy metal toxicity to bacteria–Are the existing growth media accurate enough to determine heavy metal toxicity? Chemosphere, 90(3), pp.1195-1200.
12. Rathnayake, I.V.N., Megharaj, M., Bolan, N., Naidu, R. 2010. 'Tolerance of Heavy Metals by Gram Positive Soil Bacteria', International Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering 2(4), pp 191-195.

Peer reviewed full paper presentations:

1. Rathnayake, I.V.N. & Balasubramanian, R. (2003). ‘Characterization of Ambient Bioaerosols in Singapore’, Healthy Buildings 2003. Proceedings of International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate (ISIAQ) 7th International Conference, Singapore, 7-11 December.

Peer reviewed abstracted presentations

1. Gunasinghe, Y.H.K.I.S., Rathnayake, I.V.N, Deeyamulla,P. (2022). Removal of toluene in an intramural environment using Sansevieria trifasciata. In: Proceedings of the 51^st Annual Sessions of Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, Sri Lanka, Vol. 39 No. 1, June 2022, pp 33-34.
2. Aththanayake, A.M.K.C.B., Rathnayake, I.V.N, Deeyamulla, M.P. (2021). Hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI)) Removal Potential of Pure and Mixed Cultures of Staphylococcus and Bacillus spp. in the Presence of Cd(II) and Cu(II). In: Proceedings of the Peradeniya University International Research Sessions (iPURSE 2021), Nov. 2021, pp.126.
3. Gunasinghe, Y.H.K.I.S., Deeyamulla,P., Rathnayake, I.V.N, Kannangara, A.T. (2021). Microbial Toluene Utilization Capability in Petroleum Waste Contaminated Soil, In: Proceedings of the Peradeniya University International Research Sessions (iPURSE 2021), Nov. 2021, pp. 142. 
4. Aththanayake, A.M.K.C.B., Rathnayake, I.V.N, Deeyamulla, M.P., Mallavarapu, M. (2021). Biofilm formation by Staphylococcus in different media and influence of hexavalent chromium. In: Proceedings of the International Conference of the Biotechnology Society of Nepal (ICBSN 2021), Feb. 2021, pp. 74.
5. Gunasinghe, Y.H.K.I.S., Rathnayake, I.V.N, Deeyamulla, M.P. (2021). Characterization of toluene degrading bacterial species isolated from soil. In: Proceedings of the International Conference of the Biotechnology Society of Nepal (ICBSN 2021), Feb. 2021, pp. 42.
6. Balasooriya, B.A.Y.B. & Rathnayake, I.V.N. (2021). Toxicity of selected facial cleansers to soil bacterial flora. In: Proceedings of the International Conference of the Biotechnology Society of Nepal (ICBSN 2021), 2021, pp. 79.
7. Balasooriya, B.A.Y.B. & Rathnayake, I.V.N. (2021). Survival of Skin Resident Bacterial Flora (SRBF) in the presence of facial cleansers. In: Proceedings of 8^th Ruhuna International Science & Technology Conference (RISTCON 2021), University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka, Feb. 2021, pp. 105.
8. Aththanayake A.M.K.C.B., Rathnayake, I.V.N., Deeyamulla, M.P. (2019). Comparison of the tolerance of cadmium (Cd²⁺), lead (Pb²⁺) and their mixtures by Staphylococcus isolated from a waterbody receiving textile effluent, In: Proceedings of the 4^th International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences (IRSPAS 2019), Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, Oct. 2019, pp. 31.
9. Seneviratne D.G.N.S., Rathnayake, I.V.N., Tolerance of Cr(VI) and Cd(II) by three bacterial genera isolated from a waterbody receiving industrial effluent (2019).  In: Proceedings of the Postgraduate Institute of Science Research Congress, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2019, pp.06.
10. Seneviratne, D.G.N.S., Rathnayake, I.V.N. (2019). Single metal and mixture toxicity of Cd(II) and Zn(II) to a microalgae (Chlorella) isolated from  a waterbody receiving industrial effluent. In: Proceedings of the 12^th International Research Conference, Kotalawala Defense University, Sri Lanka, Sept. 2019, pp.210.
11. Ekanayake, E.M.C.K., Rathnayake, I.V.N. (2019). Removal efficiency of hexavalent chromium by three bacteria species isolated from chromium containing industrial effluent, In: Proceedings of the 6^th Ruhuna International Science and Technology Conference (RISTCON 2019), University of Ruhuna, Jan. 2019, pp.11.
12. Heshani, A.L.S., Rathnayake, I.V.N., & Pathiratne, A. (2018). Sensitivity of Chlorella vulgaris (Microalgae) and Lemna perpusila (Duckweed) to Copper and Cadmium under empirical conditions. In: Proceedings of the 74^th Annual Sessions of the Sri Lanka Association of the Advancement of Science (2018), Sri Lanka, pp.55.
13. Gunathunga, S. U., Rathnayake, I.V.N. (2018). Isolation and characterization of mangrove endophytic fungi, In: Proceedings of the 5^th Ruhuna International Science and Technology, Conference (RISTCON 2018), University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, Feb. 2018, pp. 85.
14. Gunathunga, S. U., Rathnayake, I. V. N. (2017). Endophytic bacterial diversity of mangrove leaves, In: Proceedings of the International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences (IRSPAS 2017), Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, Oct. 2017, pp. 30.
15. Rathnayake I.V.N., Munagamage Thilini, Pathirathne A., Megharaj. (2016). Response of Microalgal Biosensor Mesotaenium to Heavy Metal Mixtures in Aquatic Systems. In: Proceedings of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Asia Pacific 2016 Conference, Singapore, 2016, pp. 194.
16. Rathnayake, I.V.N., Thilakarathna, P.R. (2016). Evaluating the hexavalent chromium removal capacities of bacteria from tannery effluent. In: Proceedings of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Asia Pacific 2016 Conference, Singapore, 2016, pp. 71.
17. Thilakarathna, P.R., Rathnayake, I.V.N. (2016). Tolerance and removal of hexavalent chromium [Cr(IV)] by bacteria isolated from textile effluent. In: Proceedings of the Wayamba International Conference (WinC 2016), Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, 2016, pp. 268.
18. Thilakarathna, P.R., Rathnayake, I.V.N. (2016). Comparison of hexavalent chromium tolerance and removal capacity of two Bacillus species isolated from tannery effluent. In: Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Water Quality and Human Health: Challenges Ahead, Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, Aug. 2016, pp. 29. 
19. Jayasundara, C.D. & Rathnayake, I.V.N. (2015). Microbiological quality of ballast water discharged from ships arriving in Colombo inner harbour’, In: Proceedings of the 2nd National Symposium on Marine Environment ”Blue Ocean Blooms Blue Economy”. Marine Environment Protection Authority, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Nov. 2015, pp. 20-21.
20. Abewickrama, J.H.G., Rathnayake, I.V.N., Jayarathne, D.L., & Gunawardena, M.M., (2014). ‘ Chromium Accumulation in Cr(VI) Resistant Bacteria’ In: Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 30-31 October2014, pp. 89.
21. Abewickrama, J.H.G., Jayaratne, D.L., Rathnayake, I.V.N., Gunawardena, M.M (2014). Plasmid mediated Chromium resistance of bacteria. In: Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium 2014, Faculty of Graduate Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka 30-31 October 2014, pp. 88.
22. Hasini, R.U. Rathnayake, I.V.N. (2014). Isolation and preliminary characterization of Bacteria isolated from Madunagala hot water spring in Sri Lanka, In: Proceedings of the 34^th Annual Sessions of The Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka.
23. Munagamage, T., Rathnayake, I.V.N., & Pathirathne, A. (2014). Effect of Cd²⁺, Cr⁶⁺, and Zn²⁺ on the growth of Microalga Mesotaenium in Aquatic Environments, In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches (ICMA 2014), University of Sri Jayawardenapura, Sri Lanka, Aug. 2014, pp. 214.
24. Perera, I., Rathnayake I.V.N. (2014). Preliminary characterization of bacteria isolated from hot springs in Maha Oya, Sri Lanka, In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches (ICMA 2014), Sri Lanka, Aug. 2014, pp. 46.
25. Abewickrama, J.H.G., Rathnayake, I.V.N., Jayaratne, D.L., Gunawardena, M.M. (2014). Isolation identification and screening of chromium resistant bacteria, In: Proceedings of the Wayamba International Conference (WINC 2014), Sri Lanka, Aug. 2014, PP.61.
26. Abewickrama, J.H.G., Jayaratne, D.L., Rathnayake,V.N., Gunawardena, M.M (2014). Determining whether the resistance of some Cr (VI) resistant bacteria is plasmid borne, In: Proceedings of the HETC Symposium 2014 - National Development through Research and Innovation, Sri Lanka, Oct. 2014.
27. Rathnayake, I.V.N., Megharaj, M, Bolan, N.S., and Naidu, R. (2009). Tolerance to heavy metals by Gram positive soil bacteria. In: Proceedings of World Congress on Science, Engineering and Technology, Tokyo, Japan. May 2009, 53: pp. 1185- 1189.
28. Rathnayake, I.V.N. (2008). Determination of the tolerance and accumulation of the heavy metals by bacteria isolated from pristine soils. In: Proceedings of the Communicate08, CRC CARE Conference, Adelaide, Australia, April 2008.

 Chapters & books of scholarly work published

1. Rathnayake I.V.N. Ectoine from microorganisms: a natural ingredient for pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry, In: Link Natural Digest, R.O.B. Wijesekara & D. Warnasuriya  eds. Link Natural Products. Vol. 16 Issue 2, 18-19. ISSN 1391-8869.
2. Rathnayake, I.V.N., 2017. Microbial biosensors for sensing heavy metals in the environment. In: Gloria Scientiam, M.J.S. Wijeyaratne and W.U. Chandrasekara eds. University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, Chapter 25: pp. 291-302. ISBN 978-955-704-041-7