Dr. Lakshman Galagedara

Dr. Galagedara has been a faculty member of the School of Science and the Environment since December 2014, initially joining as a tenure-track Associate Professor specializing in Hydrology & Agrophysics. In recognition of his contributions and dedication, he was granted tenure in September 2017 and subsequently promoted to the position of full professor in September 2021. Throughout his academic career, Dr. Galagedara has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to research and training of HQPs striving to advance the fields of Science and Engineering.

The primary focus of Dr. Galagedara's research accomplishments and valuable contributions to the scientific community has been developing and implementing innovative approaches to achieve sustainable agriculture through efficient soil and water resource development and management. Through active participation in numerous research projects, he has honed his skills and expertise in this area, consistently striving to generate new knowledge and insights.

Since joining Grenfell Campus, Dr. Galagedara has successfully established and led a robust research program, collaborating closely with colleagues from both Grenfell and St. John's campuses. As a testament to his dedication and productivity, he has contributed to the publication of 71 peer-reviewed journal papers, 34 peer-reviewed conference papers and presented 96 conference abstracts through oral and poster presentations. Additionally, he has actively engaged in collaborations with national and international scientists, particularly in the areas of hydrology and agrophysics. Since joining Grenfell, Dr. Galagedara's scholarly contributions have demonstrated a positive trajectory with 912 citations (h-index of 16) achieved in the last five years out of a total of 1404 citations (h-index of 17) received for these publications, indicating their significant impact and continued influence in the scientific community.

A particularly rewarding aspect of his academic journey has been training Highly Qualified Personnel (HQPs), which has produced high-impact publications. Dr. Galagedara has actively supervised and mentored individuals, providing them with the necessary guidance to excel in their research endeavours. As a result, they have achieved significant breakthroughs in the fields of hydrogeophysics and agrophysics, as well as in understanding the impacts of climate change on water resources, agriculture, hydrology, and water management. He has played a crucial role in conceptualizing and designing research projects, developing innovative methodologies, conducting data analysis, and interpreting findings related to hydrology, hydrological modeling, agrophysics, hydrogeophysics, and climate change. Moreover, Dr. Galagedara has contributed his expertise by offering critical reviews during the final submission stages of various research works. Through these activities, he has not only expanded his own knowledge but also contributed to the advancement of scientific understanding in these disciplines.

Dr. Galagedara's research program at Memorial has been highly productive and rewarding, showcasing the culmination of his unwavering dedication to advancing scientific knowledge and making significant contributions to his field of study. Through his efforts, Dr. Galagedara has made substantial progress in advancing the research agenda of Grenfell Campus, and shows continued interests in making further research contributions, engaging in scholarship, and facilitating the training of HQPs. Congratulations Dr. Galagerdara!