معرفی
Dr. Pushpika Katugampola is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at San Francisco State University. She specializes in polymer chemistry, organic chemistry, and chemical education, with a focus on biomedical engineering applications such as biopolymer modification, electrospinning nanofibers, and drug delivery systems. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Delaware State University, an M.Sc. in Biochemistry from Southern Illinois University, and a B.Sc. in Human Biology (Biochemistry Major) from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.
Dr. Katugampola has over ten years of teaching experience in general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry. She emphasizes student-centered active learning and was recognized with the Teaching Award for excellence in undergraduate teaching. Her research explores the rheological and thermal properties of chitosan derivatives, contributing to advancements in biomedical materials and drug delivery systems.
- Research Highlights: Development of chitosan-based materials for drug delivery, thermal stability analysis of biopolymers, and structural characterization of polymer derivatives.
- Recent Work: Focus on stearoyl, palmitoyl, and carboxymethyl chitosan derivatives, evaluating their mechanical and thermal properties for biomedical applications.
Her scholarly contributions include peer-reviewed articles on chitosan modification and characterization, published in journals like the IOSR Journal of Polymer and Textile Engineering and International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science Invention.
