Class of 2022-2021
Samudra Amunugama, Ph.D. 2022, started a research and development position at Intel. Tharanga Batugedara, Ph.D. 2022, started a position as a logic technology development interconnects process integrator engineer at Intel. Brooke Corbin, Ph.D. 2022, is the program facilitator for MARC at Wayne State University. Chathuranga Hewa, Ph.D. 2022, began a position as a senior scientist at TCG GreenChem Inc. Jessica Hovey, Ph.D. 2022, started as a senior quality control analyst at Cambridge Isotope Laboratories. Courtney Kondor, Ph.D. 2022, started as a scientist in the natural products and biocatalysis chemistry group at Cayman Chemical Company. Fredricka Morgan, Ph.D. 2022, started a position as a thin films process engineer at Intel. Jackson Mort, M.A. 2022, is now an analytical development chemist at MilliporeSigma. Ruchiranga Ranaweera, Ph.D. 2022, started a new position at Intel. Karunamuni L. Silva, Ph.D. 2022, started a job as a senior scientist at Eurofins. Tepora Su'a, Ph.D. 2022, started a
new position as assistant director of the Institute for Diversity, Equity, and Access at the University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign. Jessica Stachowski, postdoc 2020-22, is now an assistant professor at Nazareth College. Jacob Lutter, postdoc 2019-22, started as an assistant professor at the University of Southern Indiana. Isuri Weeraratne, Ph.D. 2021, is now a senior lecturer at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Class of 2020
Zachary Devereaux, Ph.D. 2020, took a position as a process engineer and materials scientist at Applied Materials. Aparni Gamage, Ph.D. 2020, is now an analytical scientist at MilliporeSigma. Tyler Jenks, Ph.D. 2020, began a new job as a plant chemist at GM. Natalie Kelly, B.S. 2020, completed
an M.P.S. in forensic chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania and accepted a position at the Forensic Investigation Center in Albany, New York. Sue White, M.A. 2020, B.S. 2016, was elected 2022 chair-elect of the Detroit Section of the American Chemical Society and will become chair in 2023. Class of 2019-2010
Thilini Hollingsworth, Ph.D. 2018, started as a development chemist at BASF. Chamika Lenora, Ph.D. 2018, is now a senior scientist at Nanovox. Yasmine Elghoul, B.S. 2017, completed her M.D. Alberto Lopez, Ph.D. 2017, started as the Organic Chemistry Lab instructor and coordinator at Haverford College. Sunalee Gonawala, Ph.D. 2016, began a position as a research scientist at Dulux Paints. Akhila Kuda-Wedagedara, Ph.D. 2015, joined NAMSA as a senior study director. Asha Hitihami Mudiyanselage, Ph.D. 2015, started a position as a research chemist at MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions. Asha Bandara, Ph.D. 2014, started a new position as research chemist II at MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions. Lakmal Kalutarage, Ph.D. 2014, was promoted to manager of process chemistry at Applied Materials. Dakshika Wanniarachchi, Ph.D. 2013, was appointed senior lecturer at the University of Kelaniya. Eric Cueny, B.S. 2012, accepted a position as an assistant professor at Boston University. Shreyashi Ganguly, Ph.D. 2012, started a job as a process engineer at Mantle3D. Irina Pala, Ph.D. 2012, started a new position as deputy division chief, RT, at the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. Mark Saly, Ph.D. 2010, was promoted to senior director of process chemistry at Applied Materials. Class of 2009 and prior
Dinuka Abeydeera, Ph.D. 2009, started a new position as director, in-vitro biology - biophysics, at WuXi AppTech in Cranbury, New Jersey. Sanjaya Abeysirigunawardena, Ph.D. 2008, received tenure and was promoted to associate professor at Kent State University. Rajendra Shakya, Ph.D. 2007, is a professor at Broward College and received an Endowed Teaching Chair Award. Minako Sumita, Ph.D. 2006, received tenure and was promoted to associate professor at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Hrant Hratchian, Ph.D. 2005, became vice provost and dean for graduate education at the University of California, Merced. Jason McLellan, B.S. 2003, was named a finalist for the Blavatnik National Award for Young Scientists. May Khanna, B.S. 1995, Ph.D. 2001, moved her laboratory from the University of Arizona to New York University. Sibrina Collins, B.A. 1994, is now writing and editing discussion pieces for the American Association for the Advancement of Science's #Disruptor blog, about contributions from women or people of color in STEM. Collins was also the executive producer for a documentary about Bettye Washington-Greene (Ph.D. 1965). Philip Pokorski, B.S. 1987, is an assistant professor in the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Wayne State University and was highlighted in a faculty profile. Nicholas Meanwell, postdoc 1979-82, received the 2022 American Chemical Society Alfred Burger Award. Peter Frade, B.S. 1968, M.S. 1971,
Ph.D. 1978, retired from the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Wayne State University. In remembrance
Alumni and friends who have passed away over the past year:
Joan Geiger, departmental secretary, 1979-98 Vera Kerastas, B.A. 1945 Laurence Stevens, Ph.D. 1962 Norman Watkins Jr., M.S. 2006