I am currently a PhD candidate in the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science (AFNS) at the University of Alberta, where my research investigates belowground nitrogen transfer from legumes to non-legumes.
Specifically, I explore how drought (an abiotic stress) and grazing (a biotic stress) influence this nitrogen transfer, with a focus on root exudate metabolites and microbiome behavior under these conditions.
I hold a Master’s degree in Molecular and Applied Microbiology from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. My passion for microbiology started during my undergraduate studies and has led me to pursue a career in microbiome research. Outside of my academic work, I enjoy engaging with peers. In my free time, I find relaxation in nature through traveling, hiking, camping, and landscape photography.