Growing up in Sri Lanka, I was an avid reptile-chaser from a young age. My passion for studying reptiles deepened during my years at Trinity College, where a group of like-minded friends and I formed an active field group dedicated to exploring and documenting reptile life. In 2006, I graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Zoology from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, and in 2012, completed my PhD in Prof. Rick Shine’s lab at the University of Sydney. This was followed by a postdoctoral fellowship in 2019 and, in 2021, a Research Scientist role at the Ecosystem Change Ecology (ECE) Lab at CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation).
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I am currently the Practice Lead for Ecology and a Principal Scientist at Stantec Australia, as well as an Adjunct Associate Professor at Murdoch University. I am also a National Geographic Explorer and the creator of RuGoesWild, a YouTube channel dedicated to wildlife education.
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Beyond science, I’m passionate about scuba diving, wildlife photography, mixing the occasional cocktail, and spending time with my three little adventurers – Rehan, Nehan, and Finn.
ABOUT ME
Education
Research Interests
The human-dimension in conservation
Identifying and quantifying the direct and indirect impacts of human alteration of landscapes
2008-2012 : PhD in Biological Sciences
School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, Australia
Thesis title: Ecology and conservation of Australian freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus johnstoni) at Lake Argyle, Western Australia
Impact of invasive species on reptiles
Understanding the challenges enforced by invasive fauna and flora upon native reptiles and how they confront these challenges
Conservation in changing landscapes
Gaining a sound understanding of how animals interact with their habitat in order to formulate more informed conservation strategies
2002-2006 : BSc (Hons.) [First Class in Zoology]
Department of Zoology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Thesis title: Communal egg-laying of the endemic Kandyan day-gecko (Cnemaspis kandiana) in rock caves at Gannoruwa forest reserve, Sri Lanka.