Skip to main content
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences University of Florida
Faculty Member UF Department of Chemistry

UF Department of Chemistry

Chemistry Laboratory Building 314

352-294-3425

Send Email

Namodhi Wijerathne

Assistant Instructional Professor

Teaching Focus

I teach the Biophysical Chemistry laboratory (CHM 4413L) for upper-level undergraduates with a focus on active learning and real-world application. My teaching philosophy integrates tools such as simulations, virtual reality (VR), and data analysis to strengthen conceptual understanding and connect theory to practice. I am committed to creating an inclusive, student-centered classroom that sparks curiosity, critical thinking, and collaboration. By combining hands-on experimentation with immersive technologies and analytical skills, I aim to prepare students to succeed in the lab and to apply these skills to broader scientific challenges and their future careers.

Education and Training

2019–2025: Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Florida (lab of David Wei)

2014-2018: B.Sc. (1st class Honors) Chemistry, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka 

Selected Awards

Danny Summer Fellowship awarded by the Department of Chemistry, University of Florida (2023)

Certificate of Outstanding Merit -28th International Student Achievement Awards (2022)

Prof. R.S. Ramakrishna Gold Medal for Inorganic Chemistry (2018)

Prof. Pearlyn Pereira Memorial Gold Medal for Physical Chemistry (2018)

Prof. H.D. Gunawardhana Memorial Scholarship (2017)

Selected Activities

UF IMAGE mentorship certification (2025)

UF GatorLead Leadership certification (2024)

Volunteer science demonstrations/outreach: Talbot Elementary, Howard Bishop Middle School, Molecular Mania

Selected Publications

Hu, Y.; Wijerathne, N.; Pabel, M.Y.; Arachchige, D. K.; Wei, W.D. Manipulating Plasmon-Generated Hot Carriers for Photocatalysis. Acc. Chem. Res. 2025, 58, 2562–2572.

Huang, J.; Guo, W.; He, S.; Mulcahy, J. R.; Montoya, A.; Goodsell, J.; Wijerathne, N.; Angerhofer, A.; Wei, W. D. Elucidating the Origin of Plasmon-Generated Hot Holes in Water Oxidation. ACS Nano 2023, 17, 7813–7820.