Lakmini S.

Widanapathirana
2637 Wingate Ct, Aurora, IL 60502
lakminiwidanapathirana@gmail.com
Mobile: (515)-817-3786

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Possess multi-disciplinary research experiences, knowledgeable of various polymerization techniques,
and skilled in multi-step/scale-up organic synthesis. Competent in fabrication of organic
nanomaterials and their potential applications in self-assembly, transmembrane transport, and
molecular recognition. Experienced in design and development of novel drug-polymer excipient
formulations and their application for improvement of existing pharmaceutical products and creation
of new pharmaceutical products. Proficient in numerous laboratory techniques (microwave assisted
reactions, photoreactions, schlenk line, lyophilization), analytical instruments (NMR, IR, HRMS,
HPLC, GPC, UV, Fluorescence, DSC, TGA, XRD, SEM, DLS, ITC), and data analysis. Experienced
in performing in-vitro simulated biological experiments. Proficient in basic and intermediate computer
skills including word processing, spreadsheets (Excel), power point and advanced technical software
(KaleidaGraph, Origin, Igor Pro, ChemDraw, Scifinder, EndNote). Skilled at learning new concepts
quickly, working well under pressure, and communicating ideas clearly and effectively.

EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry (August 2008-July 2013 )
Prof. Yan Zhao, Iowa State University, Ames, IA

B.S. in Chemistry (May 2003-May 2007)

University Of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Postdoctoral Associate, Prof. Theresa Reineke (August 2013-January 2015)
Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Development of thermoresponsive polymeric excipients for enhancing the solubility of poorly

water soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) in oral drug delivery- A collaboration with
DOW Pharma and Food Solutions.

Design and synthesis of polymers using free and controlled radical polymerization techniques
and characterization of the polymers.
Formulating numerous polymer excipient-drug solid dispersions using spray drying and
characterization of the spray dried dispersions using various instrumental techniques
Performing in vitro simulated biological experiments on polymer-drug dispersions and
determining drug release profiles.
 Investigating the role of thermoresponsiveness, hydrophobic-hydrophilic balance and drug-
polymer interactions on drug encapsulation and release.
Understanding the structure-property relationships between excipients and actives.

Graduate Research Assistant-Prof. Yan Zhao (August 2008-July 2013)

Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University

Development of a library of amphiphilic oligocholate macrocycles that display transmembrane

nanopore formation through self-assembly driven by hydrophobic interactions.

Design and multistep synthesis of bile acid derived facially amphiphilic cyclic and linear
oligocholates using microwave assisted amide coupling and click reactions
Investigating their behavior in lipid membrane (self-assembly, molecular recognition and
transmembrane transport) using spectroscopic techniques and leakage assays in various types of
liposomes.
Modification of the macrocycles prepared by two synthetic methods with aromatic donor and
acceptor groups to study the effect of ring flexibility and side chain - stacking.
Modification of the macrocycles with carboxylates to understand the role of hydrogen bonding-
Combining the hydrophobic interactions and the hydrogen-bond-based carboxylic acid
dimerization was found to be an effective strategy to tune the structure and activity of self-
assembled nanopores in lipid membranes.
Design and synthesis of isotopically labeled linear and cyclic oligocholates to understand their
behavior in lipid membrane by solid state NMR.
Design and synthesis of fluorescent linear and cyclic oligocholates to understand their behavior
in lipid membrane by fluorescence techniques such as environmental sensitive emission, red-
edge excitation shift (REES), and fluorescence quenching by water- and oil-soluble quenchers.

Development of photoactive interfacially cross-linked reverse micelles for light harvesting

Design, synthesis and characterization of a library of surfactants and fluorescent amphiphiles

Formation of interfacially cross-linked reverse micelles by self-assembly followed by
photoinduced thiol-ene "click" reaction.
Initiated fluorescence spectroscopy experiments to study their application in light harvesting.

Undergraduate Student Researcher-Prof. A.D.L.C. Perera (2006-2007)

Department of Chemistry, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Synthesis and characterization of liquid crystalline materials based on Glucose

Glucose was modified with C12 chains and characterized its liquid crystalline behavior using polarized
light microscopy.
 TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University (2008-2012)
Teaching assistant for General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry recitations and labs.
Lecturing, creating homework assignments, class projects, quizzes, and examinations
Supervised and assisted students in general and organic chemistry laboratory techniques and
multi-step synthesis of compounds.

Department of Chemistry, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (2007-2008)

Teaching assistant for General and Organic Chemistry recitations and labs.
Worked as the head TA for Organic Chemistry lab.

PUBLICATIONS

1. Copolymers as excipients for effective solubilization of poorly water-soluble substances from

solid mixtures. Patent in preparation by DOW Pharma and Food Solutions.

2. Lakmini Widanapathirana, Swapnil Tale, Theresa M. Reineke*, Dissolution and solubility

enhancement of highly lipophilic drug Phenytoin via interaction with poly(N-
isopropylacrylamide-co-vinylpyrrolidone) excipients, Manuscript under preparation.

3. Yan Zhao,* Hongkwan Cho, Lakmini Widanapathirana, and Shiyong Zhang,

Conformationally Controlled Oligocholate Membrane Transporters: Learning Through Water
Play, Invited article by Acc. Chem. Res., 2013, 46 (12), 2763-2772.
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/ar300337f

4. Lakmini Widanapathirana and Yan Zhao,* Tuning Nanopore Formation of Oligocholate

Macrocycles by Carboxylic Acid Dimerization in Lipid Membranes, J. Org. Chem., 2013, 78
(9), 46104614. http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/jo400455x

5. Tuo Wang, Lakmini Widanapathirana, Yan Zhao* and Mei Hong.* Aggregation and
Dynamics of Oligocholate Transporters in Phospholipid Bilayers Revealed by Solid-State NMR
Spectroscopy. Langmuir, 2012, 28 (49), 17071-17078.
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/la303661p

6. Lakmini Widanapathirana, Xueshu Li and Yan Zhao.* Hydrogen Bond-Assisted

Macrocyclic Oligocholate Transporters in Lipid Membranes. Org. Biomol. Chem., 2012, 10,
5077-5083. http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2012/ob/c2ob25301a
 7. Lakmini Widanapathirana and Yan Zhao.* Effects of Amphiphile Topology on the Aggregation
of Oligocholates in Lipid Membranes: Macrocyclic versus Linear Amphiphiles. Langmuir. 2012,
28 (21), 81658173. http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/la301090t

8. Lakmini Widanapathirana and Yan Zhao.* Aromatically Functionalized Cyclic Tricholate

Macrocycles: Aggregation, Transmembrane Pore Formation, Flexibility, and Cooperativity. J. Org.
Chem. 2012, 77 (10), 46794687. http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jo3004056

9. Hongkwan Cho, Lakmini Widanapathirana, and Yan Zhao.* Water Templated Transmembrane
Nanopores from Shape-Persistent Oligocholate Macrocycles. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2011, 133 (1),
141147. http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/ja109036z

PRESENTATIONS

Lakmini Widanapathirana, Yan Zhao*. Noncovalently Tuned Macrocyclic Oligocholate

Transporters In Lipid Membranes. American Chemical Society, 24th Mid-West Regional
Meeting, Omaha, Nebraska. October 26, 2012.

LEADERSHIPS AND AWARDS

Leaderships
Safety Coordinator, Prof. Yan Zhao Lab, Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University (2010-
2013)
Vice president, Mahamaya Girls College Alumnae Association of North America (2012-2013)
Treasurer, Mahamaya Girls College Alumnae Association of North America (2011-2012)

Awards
Iowa State University Research Excellence Award (2013)
Baxter Young Investigator Award, Baxter International Inc. (2012)
Academic Excellence Award, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (2007)