Prof. Mahinda Abeywardena, Senior Principal Research Scientist (Health & Biosecurity), at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia and Dr. Sajeeva Abeywardena, Lecturer in Robotics, School of Mechanical Engineering Sciences, University of Surrey, UK visited the NSF on 04th September 2024 during their short visit to Sri Lanka. They had a fruitful discussion with Prof. Ranjith Senaratne, Chairman of the NSF, focusing on the possibility of establishing research partnerships with Sri Lankan academia in a mutually rewarding manner.
Dr. Sajeeva’s specific specialisation and research interests centre round Wearable Robotics (i.e. exoskeleton systems) and Physical Human-Robot Interaction (i.e. humans and robots in direct contact with each other) with applications in rehabilitation and ergonomics for manufacturing industry. He has served several years at Bristol Robotics Lab, Imperial College and Queen Mary University of London before taking up a position at University of Surrey last year.
He is looking for outstanding engineering graduates interested in doctoral studies in Wearable Robotics and Physical Human-Robot Interaction. He is also keen to get in touch with senior academics interested in the said fields to forge strategic partnerships. He can be contacted via email s.abeywardena@surrey.