Wayne State alumni appointed to key scientific leadership roles

Senior Professor Kapila Seneviratne has been appointed chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), the governing body overseeing higher education institutions and academic funding. An expert in the chemistry and nutrition of edible oils, Seneviratne earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Wayne State University in 1997 under Professor Chuck Winter.

Professor Gomika Udugamasooriya has been appointed senior advisor on science and technology to the president of Sri Lanka. A leading innovator in bioorganic chemistry and biochemistry, he holds multiple patents and has developed novel treatments for cancer and inflammatory diseases. Udugamasooriya, who completed his Ph.D. at Wayne State in 2006 under Professor Mark R. Spaller, previously worked in U.S. public service before transitioning to this honorary role.

Both appointments highlight the impact of Wayne State alumni in global scientific leadership, shaping advancements in research, policy and innovation.