Milanga Walpitagama

Dr. Milanga Walpitagama is an Environmental Research Scientist with a PhD in Environmental Science and Environmental Toxicology. His doctoral research, titled “Neurobehavioural and Mechanistic Sub-lethal Studies in Aquatic Toxicology on Potential Micro-pollutants”, focused on the development of a behavioural analysis protocol, the automation of experimental procedures for high-throughput data collection and analysis, and the assessment of the toxicological impacts of leachates from 3D printing polymers. Dr. Walpitagama has extensive experience working with a range of aquatic organisms for toxicological testing and environmental impact assessment. His research has employed various mechanistic approaches, including investigations into cellular apoptosis, enzymatic pathways, and oxidative stress, to elucidate sub-lethal effects such as developmental, behavioural, and neuromuscular impairments in aquatic biota.

With over a decade of experience in environmental science and biology, Dr. Walpitagama has contributed to scientific research, project development, and training. He is currently an Environmental Research Scientist within the Aquatic Environmental Stress (AQUEST) Research Group at RMIT University. In this role, he collaborates with a wide network of internal and external partners and works across diverse areas including aquatic pollution and mitigation, water recycling technologies, aquatic toxicology, ecotoxicological assay development, and environmental data analysis and reporting.