Senior Lecturer
ranjand@as.rjt.ac.lk
+94703390744
Biography
I am a Senior Lecturer in Mathematics and Statistics in the Department of Physical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of SriLanka. I received my BS in Industrial Mathematics from Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (2008) and Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Statistics from Postgraduate Institute of Science at University of Peradeniya (2012) and MS in Statistics from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks (2018).
As a university teacher, my teaching philosophy is active learning, in which both teacher and student work together to achieve one goal. My teaching goal is to facilitate learning by helping students to gain the necessary skills to enhance new knowledge. Learning is primarily the student’s responsibility, whereas teaching is my responsibility. I believe that a good teacher is not only who teaches with a passion but also who motivates students to learn, who listens to students, friendly, humble, flexible and willing to learn with the students, and most importantly someone who can tolerate and accept criticisms of the students.
I help students to learn, rather than just transfer my knowledge and experience to them, because I am there to “teach driving a car” not just to “give a lift”. Thus, my approach to teaching reflects this philosophy and I develop and use many techniques that are designed to engage students in their own learning.
I primarily work on developing innovative methods for teaching statistics to undergraduates, such as active learning, flipped classroom, problem-based learning and group learning. I also measure the effectiveness of above methods and assess methods in student learning process.
In addition, in my research I focus on how the components of biological problems fit together to do computations, to do things and interpret their environment and respond appropriately to them.
Education
MS in Statistics – 2018 (UAF – University of Alaska Fairbanks, USA)
PG Dip. in Applied Statistics – 2012 (PGIS-University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)
BSc in Industrial Mathematics – 2008 (RUSL, Sri Lanka)
Current Researches and Projects
- Developing an early detection diagnostic toolkit for Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown atiology in the developing world: Chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) is the gradual loss of kidney function over long periods with symptoms appearing in the late stages of the disease & is increasingly prevalent among farmers in developing countries. Although the prevalence of CKDu has progressively become more widespread, the underlying molecular mechanisms of the disease remains largely unknown. In this project, we attempt to develop an early detection toolkit by combining proteome analysis & machine learning techniques that can serve as a rapid diagnostic tool for CKDu in Sri Lanka. The developed toolkit will investigate the temporal patterns of changes in proteomes & identify the critical threshold point of transition from a healthy to a CKDu affected proteome leading to the prediction of underlying mechanisms of CKDu.
- Stock Exchange Data
Publications
Full Articles
- Premachandra, K., Vandercone, R., Scott, A, Herath, N., Dissanayake, R. Loiselle, B., and Bahar, S. Emergence of Lévy flights in a computationally modelled tropical forest-like environment. (In revision in an indexed journal).
- Wijekularathna, D., Gunasekera, S. and Dissanayake, R. “A Generalized-Value Approach on Performing Inferences for the Generalized Inverted Exponential Distribution Reliability Function” (In revision in an indexed journal).
Abstracts and Conference Proceedings
2021 Supun Delpagoda, Kaushalya Premachandra, Ranjan Dissanayake. “Machine Learning Approach to Predict Land Prices using Spatial Dependency Factors”, Proceeding of the 21st Annual ENBIS (European Network for Business and IndustrialStatistics). ISBN 979-12-2009309809.
2021 Sachith Fernando, N. A. I. Supasan, Ranjan Dissanayake. “Impact of the dollar rate in prediction of the Colombo Stock Exchange Performance using Machine Learning Techniques”, Proceeding of the International Conference in Data Science 2021(ICDS2021), held on 29th -30th June 2021, Center for Data Science, University of Colombo. ISBN 978-624-5873-02-9.
2019 Danush K. Wijekularathna, Sumith Gunasekera and Ranjan Dissanayake (2019), “A Generalized-Value Approach on Performing Inferences for the Generalized Inverted Exponential Distribution Reliability Function”, Proceedings of the 7th International Research Symposium, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.
2015 Bamunugedara H.M.P.C.H., Ekanayake E.M.U.S.B., Dissanayake R.B.N. (2015), “Impact Sample Size on Determination of Yarn Quality “, Proceedings of the 3rd International Research Symposium, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.
2015 Kaushalya Pathirana, Dissanayake R.B.N., Kaushalya Premachandra (2015), “Emergent Pattern in Subgroup Of Computationally Modeled School Of Fish “, Proceedings of the Peradeniya University Research Sessions (iPURSE), Sri Lanka.
2015 Sandaruwan M.K.D.D., Samarathunga D.M. and Dissanayake R.B.N. (2015), “Performance Analysis of few major Algorithms for Solving Permutation Flow Shop Scheduling Problems “, Proceedings of the Peradeniya University Research Sessions (iPURSE), Sri Lanka.
2015 Jayasinghe S., Dissanayake R.B.N. (2015), “Use Of Transportation Networks To Optimize The Profit Dynamics Of The Product Distribution “, Published in conference proceedings of the ICNGCO 2015: International Conference on Network Games, Control and Optimization to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark.
2014 Upamali P.A.T., Yapa P.N. and Dissanayake R.B.N. (2014), “Evaluation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi as potential determinants of medicinal plant community structure in Mihintale Sanctuary, Sri Lanka “, Proceedings of the 18th International forestry symposium, University of Sri Jayawardanapura, Sri Lanka.
2013 Bandara M.M.K., Kekulandara D.S., Dissanayake R.B.N., Samarasinghe W.L.G. and Bamunuarachchige T.C. (2013), “Efficiency of Callogenesis and Amenability to Agrobacterium mediated Transformation of selected Traditional Sri Lankan Rice Varieties “, Proceedings of ISAE2013 International Symposium on Agriculture and Environment conducted by Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna. pp. 261-264.
2013 Jayakody, A.P.L.N.S., Yapa, P.N. and Dissanayake, R.B.N. (2013), “Soil microbial inocula on seed germination and seedling growth of Manilkara hexandra Roxb (PALU) “. Proceedings of the 3rd Annual research sessions. Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.
2012 Evgeniya Balmashnova, Mark Bruurmijn, Ranjan Dissanayake, Remco Duits, Leo Kampmeijer, Tyco van Noorden (2012), “Image Recognition of Shape Defects in Hot Steel Rolling “, Proceedings of the 84th European Study Group Mathematics with Industry, Eindhoven.
Teaching
- MAA 1302 – Probability and Statistics I (2022)
- MAA 2302 – Probability and Statistics II (2022)
- MAP 1302 – Differential Equation I (2021)
- MAT 4305 – Stochastic Process (2021)
- MAT 3206 – Data Analysis Using Computer Software
- MAT 3209 – Statistical Computing Using Software
- MAT 3203 – Regression Analysis
- MAT 3208 – Time Series Analysis
- MAT 3214 – Applied Statistics
- MAA 1203 – Numerical Analysis I
STUDENTS
2021/2022:
- Kavindi Kaluarachchi (4th Year Undergraduate Student in Industrial Mathematics)
- Madhawa Hulangamuwa (4th Year Undergraduate Student in Industrial Mathematics)
- Sandun Thennakone (4th Year Undergraduate Student in Industrial Mathematics)
2020/2021:
- Nethmi Herath (4th Year Undergraduate Student in Industrial Mathematics)
- Sashen Fernando (4th Year Undergraduate Student in Industrial Mathematics)
- Supun Delpagoda (4th Year Undergraduate Student in Industrial Mathematics)
- Kavindi Kaluarachchi (3rd Year Undergraduate Student, Department of Physical Sciences)
- Madhawa Hulangamuwa (3rd Year Undergraduate Student, Department of Physical Sciences)
2019/2020:
- Sachith Fernando (4th Year Undergraduate Student in Industrial Mathematics)
POSITIONS HELD
- Academic Advisor
- Student Councillor
