Prof. Renuka  Ratnayake is a Research Professor and Project Leader at the National Institute of Fundamental Studies (NIFS), Kandy, Sri Lanka, where she leads research in microbiology and soil ecosystem science. Her research career covers soil science, environmental microbiology, cyanobacteria, microalgae, soil carbon sequestration, nutrient dynamics, and sustainable environmental technologies. Her current research includes cyanobacteria-mediated bioremediation of textile wastewater, mass cultivation and characterization of native cyanobacteria, microalgal applications for cosmeceuticals and green nanotechnology, soil carbon sequestration, nutrient retention, heavy metal deposition, and sustainable soil management.

Prof. Ratnayake has received several national and international recognitions, including the Research Excellence Award of NIFS, Outstanding Scientist Awards, SUSRED Award by NSF, Presidential Awards for Scientific Research, and the Australian Government Endeavour Research Fellowship. She is a Full Member of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Honor Society, USA, and a member of several professional and scientific organizations.

She has extensive experience in postgraduate research supervision and has supervised a number of Ph.D., M.Phil., and MSc. students. She has also served on scientific and technical committees of national institutions, including the Central Environmental Authority, Sri Lanka Standards Institution, Postgraduate Institute of Science, and the FAO Global Soil Laboratory Network.

Research Interests

Prof. Ratnayake's research interests focus on environmental microbiology, soil ecosystems, cyanobacteria and microalgae, soil carbon sequestration, nutrient dynamics, and sustainable environmental technologies. Her work includes the isolation, characterization and cultivation of native cyanobacteria and microalgae; the establishment, development and maintenance of cyanobacteria culture collections to support research, education and biotechnological applications; cyanobacteria-based bioremediation of wastewater; and the development of value-added applications of microbial biomass, including biofuels, nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals.

Her soil research focuses on soil organic carbon storage and sequestration, carbon fractions, nutrient retention, soil fertility, land-use impacts, heavy metal accumulation, and spatial assessment of soil properties. She is particularly interested in applying soil science and microbiological approaches to climate-change mitigation, sustainable agriculture, ecosystem restoration, environmental conservation, and circular bioeconomy development. Her research also incorporates the use of spatial and digital approaches for understanding soil and ecosystem processes.