Researcher Highlight
Dr. Tharanga Bandara Theme 3
“Outside academia, I love spending time in nature, especially exploring the beautiful Australian landscape. I’m also a big fan of coffee, which helps me stay energised and focused on my work.”
Research Area
My research mainly focuses on conducting greenhouse experiments to compare the effects of different novel nitrification and urease inhibitors on nitrogen use efficiency in crops in different Australian soil systems.
Research Impact
Contribute to the discovery of new nitrification and urease inhibitors to improve nitrogen use efficiency in Australian agricultural systems, ultimately mitigating environmental issues associated with nitrogen fertiliser.
“In this field of research, each day brings on new and unique challenges, which makes it exciting. Furthermore, it contributes to the discovery or development of new knowledge that can significantly impact people’s lives and bring about positive change in the world.”
Tharanga’s Science Journey
‘I obtained my PhD in Soil Science from La Trobe University in 2021 under the guidance of Prof. Caixian Tang and Prof. Ashely Franks. My doctoral research focused on investigating the effects of biochar on heavy metal bioavailability and microbial properties in contaminated soils. My research has been internationally acknowledged through numerous peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and presentations at scientific conferences. Additionally, I have a Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences and a Master of Environmental Soil Science from Sri Lanka.
After completing my PhD, I started working as a post-doctoral researcher at the ARC Research Hub for Smart Fertilisers in October 2023. During this time, I collaborated closely with Prof. Caixian Tang, Dr. Hang-Wei Hu, and Associate Professor Shu Kee Lam. My aim is to continue my research in soil science and contribute to the advancement of agriculture and the environment in Australia in the future.’
