My research interests focus on bioconversion and nutrition engineering, mainly in microalgal biotechnology. Specific interests include:
Cell response and adaptation to nutrients and environmental factors, inclulding physiology, biochemistry, transcriptomics, metabolomics.
Design and integration of microalgal cultivation and downstream systems, such as microplates, tubular photobioreactors, fermentation and ultra-filtration.
Wastewater treatment and resource recycling utilisation, with technologies ranging from bio-waste to microalgal biomass for feed and fertiliser.
I have been a professor in the School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology since 2002. I have previously worked in research at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; Ohio State University in USA as a visiting scholar; and senior visiting professor in Hamburg University of Technology in Germany.
My research interests include microalgae cultivation and processing, biodiesel production, astaxanthin production, fermentation, membrane fabrication, photobioreactor, environmental science (ocean acidification), bioactive peptides, pyroligneous acid liquids, pineapple bromelain and management. I hold a PhD in bioprocess engineering holder and am study a further PhD in business administration. I am a reviewer for several journals and R&D director for several companies.
I work on water quality, red tide monitoring and site selection for marine fish culture. My recent focus is on 1) applying hydraulic modelling for determining the carrying capacity of a fish farming site to achieve sustainable mariculture, and 2) developing and applying advanced imaging and hydraulic modelling technology for red tide forecast and management.
My research interests include inland fisheries management and aquaculture development. I have 25 years research experience on culture-based fisheries development in Sri Lankan reservoirs. This has included the introduction of co-management to improve the socio-economic status of fishing communities; the development of community-based strategies to increase fish seed production to meet requirements at the national level; and the development of web-based systems to collect information related to culture-based fisheries (www.infis.gov.lk) with data input and maintenance handled by fishing communities. I am a member of the NACA Technical Advisory Committee (2015-2018) and a life member of Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
My research interests are to establish the probiotic-induced immunomodulation and identify the immune mechanisms involved in aquatic animals, especially in shrimps, trouts and carps. I have developed technologies related to crustacean breeding and seed production, immunostimulation, and low input sustainable aquaculture systems such as organic and biofloc based farming approaches. I have also worked on development of aquaculture database systems, documentation and evaluation of indigenous technologies and knowledge, and exploration of fish germplasm resources.
I worked as PI and Co-PI in several projects on the diversification of species and system, disease surveillance and adoption of better management practices in shrimp farming. I worked in prestigious Institutions like Scottish Fish Immunology research Centre (UK) and Tokyo (Japan) on Molecular Immunology aspects in Aquaculture in 2011. I served in various capacities including Officer-in-Charge at Research Centres. I have been bestowed with Hirala Choudhari Best Young Scientist Award and IAES Gold Medal for contribution to science and Young scientist grant at International Marine Biotech Association, Newfoundland (Canada). I’m a first ranker in JRF and Agricultural Research Service Exam (ICAR, 1997) in my subject. I have seventy five international and national level peer reviewed journal publications and several technologies to his credit.
My research interest includes captive broodstock development and seed production of penaeid shrimp and mud crabs. Recently I am working in seed production aspects of Indian white shrimp P. indicus, Artemia biomass production and its use in shrimp culture. I have ten years work experience in biosecured management of shrimp culture, mud crab culture, sustainable shrimp culture practices such as periphyton-based shrimp culture and biofloc-based farming, polyculture of finfishes with mud crabs and shrimp.
I have worked at CIBA since 1990 and currently head the Aquatic Animal Health and Environment Division, leading the research programme on aquatic animal disease surveillance with special reference to emerging issues in brackishwater aquaculture. I provide expert services to the Department of Animal Husbandry Dairying and Fisheries, Government of India, for aquatic animal quarantine, import of aquaculture inputs and related technical matters. This has included work on the import risk analysis for the introduction of Pacific white shrimp to India. I previously worked at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Cochin beginning in 1984, and carried out research on the occurrence of heterotrophic microorganisms and mercury contamination in coastal and marine waters.
My research interests include the reproductive biology, endocrinology and captive breeding of brackishwater fish. I have nine years research experience in brackishwater breeding of brackishwater fishes in captivity and their farming in different costal states of India, with hands-on experience in fish hatchery design and operation. I have demonstrated the hatchery operation and farming of different brackishwater fishes such as Asian seabass, milkfish, pearl spot and brackishwater catfish to small and marginal farmers. I am experienced in the establishment and operation of recirculating aquaculture systems for broodstock development and farming of fish and shrimp. I also have experience in the farming of crab and shrimp in box and pond systems, respectively.
