Karawdeniya Nano-Sensing and Innovations Laboratory
Principle Investigator
Buddini Karawdeniya, Ph.D. (she/her)
Assistant Professor
Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University​
Email: karawdeniya.1@osu.edu
​​My Research Interests
I am passionate about harnessing micro and nano-technology enhanced with chemical and analytical approaches to pioneer innovations for sensitive, selective, simple, and non-invasive diagnostics and beyond. These innovations extend from technologies enabling portable or wearable health monitors to those facilitating pharmaceutical quality assurance in the biomedical space. The core research thrusts of my team focus on single-molecule solid-state nanopore sensing, gas, and fluid sensing as well as surface-engineered systems to enable sensing. The modular nature of these technologies allows for their extension to environmental, food, and water quality testing. The overarching goal of my research is to develop practical, user-friendly, and accurate sensing and other enabling technologies for biomedical applications and beyond.
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Education:​
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Ph.D. in Analytical Sensors, Department of Chemistry, University of Rhode Island, USA​ (2018)
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Graduate Chemist, Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, Sri Lanka (2010)
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Bachelor of Science (Biological Science): University of Colombo, Sri Lanka (2010)
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Work Experience: ​
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Research Fellow, Research School of Physics, The Australian National University, Australia (2020-2024)
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Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Southern Methodist University, Texas, USA.​ (2018-2020)
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Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Chemistry, University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island, USA (2018)​
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Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Chemistry, University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island, USA (2012-2018)
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​Teaching Assistant, Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, Sri Lanka (2010-2012)
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Want to know more?
My Mentoring Approach:
​I believe in setting expectations at the beginning and constant and open-ended communication. In addition to developing research skills, students will be guided to enhance their presentation, writing, and administrative abilities while also expanding their professional network. Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers will write an Individual Development Plan (IDP) with me before or soon after joining the lab to set expectations and to help me figure out the best ways to mentor them toward their career goals.​
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Personal Interests:
​When I am not working I love spending time with my family. I have a passion for traveling and reading. Sri Lankan and South Indian food makes me happy and I love cooking. To relax I watch movies, write poetry, and try new crafts.​
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Postdoctoral Scholars
Nisitha Wella Wijewantha (Ph.D.)
Education:
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Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry, University of South Dakota (USD), 2023
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M.S. in Chemistry, USD, USA, 2020
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B.Sc. Eng. (Hons) in Materials Science and Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2016
Work Experience:
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Postdoctoral Researcher (July 2023–Dec 2024): U.S. FDA, Nano-core division, Arkansas (Specializes in analyzing nano-formulations, lipid-based nano-formulation profiling, and drug delivery kinetics.)
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Graduate Research Assistant (2020–2023): USD (Focused on nanomaterials synthesis for drug delivery, plant-genetic modification, and tooth regeneration)
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TRAC Team Lead (2022–2023): USD Technology Readiness Acceleration Center (Managed a multidisciplinary team for advancing colorectal cancer treatment technology)
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Environmental Health & Safety Technician (2018–2020): USD (Conducted lab inspections and improved chemical safety protocols.)
Graduate Students
Mark Kuuziile
Graduate Research Assistant
PhD Student
Department of
Biomedical Engineering
Nanduni Chandrasiri
Graduate Research Assistant
PhD Student
Department of
Biomedical Engineering
Gaurav More
Graduate Research Assistant
Master's Student (Graduated)
Department of
Biomedical Engineering
Senior Staff
Shimayali Kaushal (Ph.D.)
Senior Technician
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Education
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Ph.D. in Biotechnology, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI) & Panjab University, India, 2021 (Research focus: nanobiotechnology, biosensors, photothermal therapy, molecular diagnostics)
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M.Sc. (Hons.) in Biotechnology, Panjab University, India, 2015
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B.Sc. (Hons.) in Biotechnology, Panjab University, India, 2013
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Work Experience:
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Research Scholar (Volunteer) — Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, USA (May 2025 – Jan 2026). Investigated immune-related Treg activity and inflammatory biomarkers​
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Postdoctoral Scholar — Department of Otolaryngology, The Ohio State University, USA (Oct 2023 – May 2025) Designed MMP-9–activatable gold nanoparticle probes for in-situ and in vivo tumor imaging. Developed SERS-based point-of-care diagnostic platforms for vestibular schwannoma​
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Research Professor — KU–KIST Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea (Aug 2022 – Jul 2023) Developed nanoparticles based substrates for bioanalytical applications​
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ICMR Research Fellow — National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), India (Jan 2016 – Apr 2021). Developed nanomaterial-based biosensors for bacterial detection. Conducted photothermal therapy research for antibacterial and cancer applications​
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Junior Research Fellow — National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), India (Aug 2015 – Jan 2016). Supported nanobiosensor development and biochemical assay optimization
Undergraduate Students
Vivian Hsiao
Department of
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Connor Davis
Department of Biology
Jason Gao
Department of Chemistry
and Biochemistry
