Chandra Wickramasinghe

Professor Chandra Wickramasinghe is an Honorary Professor at the University of Buckingham's School of Computing and Director of the Buckingham Centre for Astrobiology. He has held professorships at Cardiff University (1973–2011) and is affiliated with institutions in Sri Lanka, including the University of Peradeniya and the National Institute of Fundamental Studies. His research focuses on astrobiology, cometary panspermia, and the origins of life.

Education:

• BSc (Mathematics, University of Ceylon)
• PhD and ScD (Cambridge University)
• Multiple honorary doctorates (e.g., Soka University, Ruhuna University)

Research Interests:

• Interstellar matter and astrochemistry
• Cometary biology and panspermia theory
• Origins of life and cosmic evolution
• Infrared astronomy and light scattering

Articles Trends: Recent publications emphasize stratospheric biology, cometary studies (e.g., Rosetta mission), and experimental evidence for life’s cosmic origins. Themes include microbial survival in extreme environments and astrochemical mechanisms.

Awards:

• International Dag Hammarskjold Gold Medal (1986)
• John Snow Medallist (2004)
• Asian Power 100 (2005)

Advising/Grants: Wickramasinghe has advised numerous collaborations on astrobiology and panspermia. His work includes funding from international bodies and has influenced global astrobiology research agendas.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Buckingham Centre for Astrobiology, focusing on interdisciplinary studies of cosmic life and exobiology.