Pulasthi Serasinghe

I hold a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Food Science and Technology from the University of New South Wales, Sydney, earned in 2019. During my four years there, I immersed myself in various fields of biosciences related to food and agriculture. My hands-on experience through several industrial internships allowed me to delve into the regulation and examination of biological and chemical residues in diverse matrices, including food and the environment.

This exposure ignited a deep passion for integrating agriculture and environmental sciences, leading me to pursue a PhD. In 2020, I joined the Aquatic Environmental Stress Research Group (AQUEST) and the Aquatic Pollution Prevention Partnership (A3P) under the mentorship of Professors Vincent Pettigrove and Dayanthi Nugegoda. I earned my PhD in Applied Biology and Biotechnology in 2024. My doctoral research focused on identifying and detecting emerging pesticides in non-target aquatic systems. Collaborating with the National Measurement Institute (NMI) Australia, I developed and applied novel sampling and analytical techniques to enhance detection capabilities, aiding the protection of aquatic ecosystems from harmful pesticide impacts.

Currently, I am a research officer within AQUEST at RMIT University, focusing on several projects related to water quality and micropollutant analysis in surface water systems. My primary responsibilities involve developing innovative analytical methods and updating screening approaches to accurately detect and measure novel pollutants that may contaminate water systems and adversely affect non-target aquatic ecosystems. Looking ahead, my long-term career goals include continuing research in environmental water management and protection. I am particularly interested in collaborating with industry partners and Australian government institutions. By working closely on policy and regulation, I aim to contribute to the management of novel chemicals, especially pesticides, to minimize non-target environmental exposure at its source