Mindula Kaumadi Wijayahena

Mindula Kaumadi Wijayahena, 5th year PhD student in Dr. Aga's lab.

Awards and Recognition:

• Petra and Baudilio Colón Award for 2024-2025 recognizing a deserving PhD student in analytical chemistry, Travel Award, Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo
• University at Buffalo Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition, first place, May 2024
• Community Involvement and Diversity & Inclusion Award, Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, 2024
• Conference Funding Travel Award, Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, August 2023  
• American Chemical Society AGRO Division, Travel Award, American Chemical Society Fall 2023 National Meeting and Expo Conference, August 2023
• Mattern-Tyler Teaching Award 2023, Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo

Publications:

First-author papers -

• Wijayahena M.K.; Wallace J.S.; Kordas K.; Queirolo E.I.; Ahmed Z.; Aga D.S.; Lead measurements using dried blood spots in a portable sampling device: advantages and limitations. Green Analytical Chemistry, 2025. 10.1016/j.greeac.2025.100245.

• Aguilar J.M. and Wijayahena M.K.; Running L.S.; Phatthanawiwat K.; Choodum A.; Wallace J.S.; Aga D.S.; Comprehensive evaluation of the analytical efficiency of combustion ion chromatography for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in biological and environmental matrices. Environmental Science & Technology 2025. 10.1021/acs.est.4c12443.

• Wijayahena, M. K.; Moreira, I. S.; Castro, P. M. L.; Dowd, S.; Marciesky, M. I.; Ng, C.; Aga, D. S. PFAS biodegradation by Labrys portucalensis F11: Evidence of chain shortening and identification of metabolites of PFOS, 6:2 FTS, and 5:3 FTCA. Science of The Total Environment 2025, 959, 178348. 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.178348.

Co-author paper –

• Sanchez-Lievanos K.R.; Zhang D.; Simpson S.M.; Wijayahena M.K.; Rizzo G.; Aguilar J.M.; Abaya L.M.; Dovi J.M.; Sirotkin H.I.; Crawley M.R.; Cook T.R.; Aga D.S.; Synthesis and Evaluation of Cationic Porphyrin-based Organic Nanocages for the Removal of 38 PFAS from Water: Experimental, Theoretical, and Eco-Toxicological Insights. Environmental Science & Technology Engineering 2024. 10.1021/acsestengg.4c00639.

Oral presentations:

• American Chemical Society Fall 2024 National Meeting and Expo Conference. Denver, CO. August 2024. “Bacterial degradation of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS): detection of by-products by target and non-target analysis.”
• Northeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society (NERM). Rochester, NY. June 2023. “Analysis of heavy metals in dried blood spots using “HemaSpotTM HF” filter papers.”

Poster presentations:

• Celebration of Student Academic Excellence, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY. April 2025, “PFAS Biodegradation by Labrys portucalensis F11: Identification of Metabolites of PFOS, 6:2 FTS, and 5:3 FTCA by Target and Non-Target Analysis”
• Spotlight symposium 2024, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY. October 2024. “PFAS Biodegradation by Labrys portucalensis F11:  Identification of Metabolites of PFOS, 6:2 FTS, and 5:3 FTCA by Target and Non-Target Analysis”
• Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Environmental Sciences: Water. Holderness School in Holderness, New Hampshire. June 2024. “Bacterial degradation of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS): detection of by-products by target and non-target analysis.
• American Chemical Society Fall 2023 National Meeting and Expo Conference. San Francisco, CA. August 2023. “Rapid biomonitoring strategy for total PFAS in blood samples from populations in agricultural areas.”

My research focuses on detecting and degrading major contaminants, specifically PFAS. I am working on developing analytical approaches for PFAS detection in water, human blood, and fish using tools like LC-MS/MS, LC-IMS/QToF, ICP-MS, etc.

I appreciate the collaborative research environment and access to cutting-edge facilities. The supportive community and diverse opportunities for professional growth significantly enhance my academic journey.

Outside of the lab, I enjoy engaging in outdoor activities like golfing, pickleball, and hiking. I also have a passion for cooking and experimenting with new recipes.