Chathurika Ruchirani Henpita
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Department of Zoology
Oklahoma State University
Cell: (405) 332 1657
chathurika.ruchirani@okstate.edu
EDUCATION Ph.D. Student in Zoology
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma expected graduation 2017
Research: An integrative approach to better understand sulfide metabolism across species; using a sulfide tolerant fish model to pose questions in human vascular cells treated with sulfide donating drugs
Major Advisor: Dr. Jennifer H. Shaw
B.S. Biological science, major in Zoology, minor in Chemistry
University of Kelaniya, Dalugama, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka; May 2006 – December 2010
Second Class (Upper Division) Honors GPA: 3.34
Thesis: Nest density and selected biological and ecological aspects of Aneuretus simoni Emery (Sri Lankan Relict Ant) in “Kirikanda” forest in Kalutara district, Sri Lanka
Major Advisor: Prof. Shryani Dias
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Cardiovascular Physiology, Entomology and Ethology
PUBLICATIONS
Dias RKS, Ruchirani HPGRC, Kosgamage KRKA and Peiris HAWS, 2013, Frequency of nest occurrence and the nest density of Aneuretus simoni Emery (Sri Lankan Relict Ant) and other ant fauna in “Kirikanda” Forest in Kalutara district, Sri Lanka, Asian Myrmecology,
Amarasinghe LD, Ganehiarachchi GASM, Ruchirani Chathurika and Thilina Weerasinghe, 2012. Phytoplankton and Zooplankton community and aspects of food of two fish species in two streams and two lakes in presence and absence of Anophelese mosquito larvae in Mahaoya, Sri Lanka. 13th Annual Research Symposium, University of Kelaniya.
Dias RKS, Pieris HAWS and , 2011, Short Communication of the Discovery of in Kalutara District and in Anuradhapura District, Journal of Asian Myrmecology, vol.4:99-102 pp
ORAL PRESENTATION
Ruchirani HPGRC and Dias RKS, 2011, Food habits and soil temperature tolerance range of Aneuretus simoni Emery (Sri Lankan Relict Ant) and its behavioral interactions with three insect species, 67th Annual Session of SLAAS (abstract)
DOCUMENTRY
In 2010, a documentary about the discovery of new habitat of Aneuretus sinomi by a national television channel (Sirasa TV) in Sri Lanka. (With the media group from the channel, I was able to record Sri Lankan Relict Ant’s nesting behavior in their natural habitat for the first time in Sri Lanka)
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Graduate Research Assistant: From April 2013 to present working with Dr. Jennifer H. Shaw, “An integrative approach to better understand sulfide metabolism across species; using a sulfide tolerant fish model to pose in human vascular cells treated with sulfide donating drugs ”
Research Assistant: Voluntarily worked identifying ants to species in Dr. Carmen Greenwood’s lab in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University from September 2012 to April 2013
Research Assistant: Worked (voluntary) as a Research Assistant in a research based on entomology; “A survey for Aneuretus simoni Emery in selected forests in three Districts of Sri Lanka” in 2012
Research Assistant: Worked as a Research Assistant in a research based on medical entomology; “Efficacy of Anopheles larval control using selected Carnivorous Fish, Sri Lanka” in 2011
Undergraduate Researcher: Research project in entomology (Nest density and selected biological and ecological aspects of Aneuretus simoni Emery (Sri Lankan Relict Ant) in “Kirikanda” forest in Kalutara district)
TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIP
Graduate Teaching Assistantship; Investigating Biology (BIOL 1114) with Dr. Donald P. French from August, 2013 to present
Undergraduate Teaching Assistantship; Department of Zoology, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka from December, 2010 to July, 2012
Conducted laboratory classes for undergraduates for: Agricultural, Veterinary and Medical Entomology, Statistical Methods in Zoology, Insect Biology and Systematics, Evolution Biology, Applied Entomology, Ecology and Parasitology
ACTIVITIES
Cultural coordinator of Sri Lanka Student Association (SLSA), Oklahoma State University (August, 2013 to present)
Member of Zoological Society, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka (2006 - 2010)
Member of wildlife conservation programme – The Wildlife Heritage Trust of Sri Lanka (2006 – 2007)